Networking Strategies for Hospitality Professionals

You know you should network. But you probably don’t know what to say or how to get on people’s radar. Here’s an easy 7-step LinkedIn networking strategy (that anyone can use): 1. The 3 Principles Of Good Networking If you want to network effectively, you need to:  - Have a way to reach people  - Have a way to add value to them  - Have a way to keep the engagement going This strategy does all three! 2. Make A List Of Job-Related Keywords Think of keywords, skills, phrases, and jargon that align with your target role. Ex: If you’re in sales, that might be “sales,” “leads,” “pipeline,” “sales cycle,” etc. Make a quick list of these. 3. Run A “Post” Search On LinkedIn Start with one keyword (or the job title itself). Run a search for it on LinkedIn. From the “Filters” option, select “Posts.” Then change “Date Posted” to “Past Week.” 4. Filter By “Author Company” Click on “All Filters” to find the “Author Company” filter. Add all of your target companies to this filter. This will give you a list of all the posts related to your target role, written by people at your target companies, posted in the past week! 5. Analyze Posts & Authors Scroll through the posts. When you find one that resonates? Click the person’s profile and check to see if they post consistently (at least once / week). If they do? Bookmark their profile in your browser. 6. Leave A Value Driven Comment For each author you find that posts regularly in your target space? Leave a comment on their post recent post that is:  - Supportive  - Postive in tone  - Offers your own take / value  - Is more than one sentence Repeat for each author. 7. Rinse & Repeat Daily Every day, click through the author profiles you have bookmarked. See a new post? Leave a new comment. Repeat this process every weekday if you can. But aim to leave at least one comment / week at minimum. 8. Why This Works Content creators love engagement. By cosistently offering that in a positive way, you’re going to get on their radar. And when you’ve done this for a week or two, the likelihood of getting a “yes” to a coffee chat, or even a referral, goes WAY up. Give it a shot today!

If you want to build a network in 30 days, read this: Goal: Build a foundation for your professional network by forming genuine connections with 10 individuals relevant to your career goals. Before you start: Define your goals: What do you hope to achieve by building your network? (e.g., career advice, industry knowledge, potential job opportunities) Identify target individuals: Who are the people you want to connect with? Consider their expertise, experience, and potential value in achieving your goals. Days 1-10: Laying the groundwork Utilize social media: Update your LinkedIn profile to showcase your skills and experience. Join relevant groups and follow industry leaders. Start small: Reach out to 2-3 people you haven't spoken to recently or connect with 1-2 new contacts. Personalize your message and focus on value. Attend online events: Look for webinars, online conferences, or workshops related to your field. Participate actively and introduce yourself to others virtually. Identify industry influencers: Research thought leaders and key players in your field. Follow their work and engage with their content online. Volunteer your expertise: Research volunteer opportunities related to your industry. This allows you to give back, network, and build your reputation. Days 11-20: Building connections Follow-up with initial contacts: Send a follow-up email or message expressing your appreciation for their time and reiterating your interest in staying connected. Engage in online communities: Participate in relevant online discussions. Offer your insights, answer questions, and build your online presence. Connect through mutual connections: Research your existing network for potential connections who know people you'd like to meet. Seek introductions and personalize your outreach. Attend local events: Look for industry meetups, networking events, or conferences in your area. Prepare conversation starters and actively connect with new people. Leverage alumni networks: If you're a college graduate, reconnect with alumni in your field through professional groups or university resources. Days 21-30: Nurturing relationships Share valuable content: Share relevant articles, industry news, or resources with your connections through emails or social media. Offer congratulations and support: Celebrate your network's achievements and offer support during challenges. Show genuine interest in their lives and careers. Schedule informational interviews: Reach out to individuals you admire and request informational interviews. Use this opportunity to learn more about their career path and gain insights. Be a resource: Look for ways to help others in your network by offering introductions, sharing opportunities, or providing relevant information. Schedule coffee chats: Invite 1-2 people you've connected with for virtual or in-person coffee chats to deepen your relationships and explore potential collaborations. Source: "Reach Out" by Molly Beck

Introvert-friendly networking tip: Start your event connections before the event begins. If walking into a room full of strangers makes your stomach flip, here’s a quiet strategy that can make in-person events feel less intimidating, and more intentional: 💡 Connect on LinkedIn before the event. Look up the event page, RSVP list, or hashtag. Identify a few people, maybe a speaker, a fellow guest, or someone you admire. Then send a short, friendly note like: 👉 “Hi [Name], I saw you’re also attending [Event Name] this week. I’d love to connect here and hopefully say hello in person!” I’ve used this approach myself, attending events alone and still managing to create real conversations, on my terms. Why it works: - You walk in with familiar faces instead of total strangers. - You have a built-in conversation starter (no forced small talk). - You control the pace of connection—before, during, and after the event. 💜 And here’s a bonus: If you don’t get to meet them in person, you still have the connection to follow up later with a kind note or reflection on the event. You don’t have to “work the room” to network well. You just have to be intentional. And that’s where introverts shine. Have we met? 👋 Hi, I’m Ana, a career coach and strategist for introverts. If you are a professional who wants to improve your LinkedIn presence and become visible to recruiters without spending hours job searching, then follow along! #NetworkingTips #introverts

It's networking week! You told me you wanted to learn more about networking, so this week I've been sharing networking tips. Today we're talking about how to connect with recruiters. Well, here's how NOT to approach recruiters: “I’m looking for a job. Can you help?” "Can you help find some suitable roles in [job title] and [job title]?" "Can you find a job for me?" I am not a recruiter and I get these messages often. And not in the "I see you’re a career coach and I need help with my job search" way. I get messages that are "I think you’re  a recruiter who can help me get a job." On behalf of overworked recruiters everywhere, let me break it down ... • Recruiters don't find jobs for you. They fill jobs that are in their pipeline. • Please don’t approach recruiters in this way. You will never get a response. Recruiters are juggling dozens of roles and hundreds of contacts at once, they don’t have time to respond to messages like this. • Recruiters are busy and risk-averse. They want to put forward the best candidates, so you have to explain why you are that person. ❗ If you are contacting a recruiter about a specific role, APPLY FOR THE JOB FIRST and include in your message: "I applied on this date for this job title (include a req # if available)..." then follow my message template below. If you are cold-calling a recruiter, here’s a few things to do: 1) Do your research - Only contact recruiters who hire for your ideal company, job title, and/or industry. 2) Make your message short and to the point. Use short sentences, short paragraphs, and bullet points. (If you’re sending a direct message on LinkedIn, you are limited to 300 characters.) 3) List your ideal job title and industry. 4) Include your location. 5) Share top skills. 6) Mention your most impressive accomplishments. 7) Attach your resume. SAMPLE MESSAGE TO A RECRUITER: "Hi [Name], I’m a SaaS product manager in Boston skilled in Agile, data analytics, and market research. My products have increased user engagement 50% and brought in $3M+ in revenue. I’ve included my resume if you are recruiting for this type of role. With gratitude, - Emily" (274 characters! Woot!) If you want to send a direct message but you only see the “Follow” button or messaging is not an option, click “More” → “Connect” → Add a note to your connection request. (See attached picture.) I'm rooting for you 👊 ***** Hi, have we met? I'm Emily, and I'm on a mission to get the #greenbannergang back to work, one actionable step at a time. #networking #jobsearch #recruiters #jobhunt #jobseekers

As creators, we walk a fascinating line: building & nurturing our personal brand while contributing to the growth of the companies we work for. It’s a balancing act, and when done thoughtfully, it can benefit both you and your employer. I've spent a lot of time thinking about this. Here are a few key principles to consider: Start with Alignment: Your personal brand should reflect your unique voice, passions, and expertise. At the same time, ensure your values align with your company’s mission. This synergy builds authenticity, helping you shine as a thought leader while amplifying your company’s vision. Add Value Both Ways: Your personal content isn’t just about self-promotion – it’s a chance to highlight industry trends, solve problems, and share knowledge. When your audience sees you as a trusted voice, it reflects positively on the organization you represent. The more value you provide, the stronger your brand and your company’s reputation become. Be Transparent About Your Dual Role: It’s okay to let your audience know that you’re a creator who’s also part of a larger mission. A simple acknowledgment, such as, “In my role at FinLocker, I’ve learned the value of engaging early journey first-time homebuyers", builds credibility and reinforces your connection to your employer without overshadowing your individuality. Prioritize Consistency: Whether you're sharing insights under your name or your company’s banner, make sure your message is consistent. Both brands should feel complementary – not competitive. Think of it as two interconnected streams feeding into the same river. Use Your Brand to Build Bridges: Your personal platform can help you connect with other professionals, clients, and opportunities that can ultimately benefit your company. And your company’s resources can enhance your ability to create impactful content. When both sides grow, it’s a win-win. Ultimately, this balance is about mutual growth. Your personal brand showcases the unique skills and perspectives you bring to the table, while your work for your company demonstrates your ability to drive results and collaborate with a larger team. The takeaway? Don’t think of it as “choosing” between your brand and your company. Think of it as a partnership where both grow stronger together. How do you balance your personal brand with your company’s goals?

Most people completely waste their networking efforts the moment they leave an event. I watch professionals collect business cards like trophies, then let those connections die in their LinkedIn requests folder. That's not networking - that's contact hoarding. The real networking magic happens in the 24-48 hours after the event ends. Here's how to actually convert those conversations into valuable relationships: 1. Personalized outreach within 24 hours - Reference specific conversation details, not generic "nice meeting you" messages. Stand out among the dozen other people they met. 2. Strategic LinkedIn connections - Include context about where you met and what you discussed. Transform anonymous invitations into meaningful relationship foundations. 3. Value-added follow-through - Share relevant articles, resources, or introductions that address what they mentioned. Show you were actually listening and can provide value. 4. Propose concrete next steps - Coffee meetings, collaboration opportunities, strategic introductions. Strike while the event momentum is hot. 5. Document everything - Record their professional goals, current challenges, and collaboration opportunities. This enables strategic relationship development over time. Here's what most people get wrong: they treat networking like contact collection instead of relationship building. The goal isn't a bigger contact list - it's developing professionals who proactively support each other's success. Stop collecting business cards and start building actual relationships. Your future self will thank you. What post-networking strategies have you found most effective for converting event meetings into valuable professional relationships? Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://vist.ly/3yrck #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #networking #relationshipbuilding #professionalnetworking #careerstrategist

The brand of the company you work for is not your personal brand. If all you talk about is the company you work for, you’re simply a mouthpiece for it, and it can stifle your individual voice. Here are three ways to develop your own personal brand while still championing your company: 1. Showcase Your Expertise: Share industry insights, trends, and thought leadership content. Demonstrate your skills and knowledge beyond the scope of your company. When people associate you with valuable expertise, they remember you. 2. Highlight Personal Achievements (these can include learnings): Share your professional milestones, successes or where you fumbled and how you recovered and grew from it. Whether it’s a project you led, a problem you solved a skill you honed, or how you fumbled, learned and recovered, your achievements and learnings contribute to your personal brand. 3. Engage Authentically: Interact with your network in a genuine way. Comment on posts, join discussions, and share personal stories that resonate with you. Authentic engagement builds trust and sets you apart. Often times, I see people talk about the company they work for constantly and they amass a following because people love the company — but they don’t know how to separate their own voice. Remember, you can have a strong personal brand and also complement and enhances your company’s brand, but the company’s brand voice is not your own. Let your unique voice be heard.

Public Service Announcement: Time is valuable—respect it! I get asked to do networking meetings or informational interviews a lot. Daily. And while I have to protect my time, I try to be helpful when it's someone in my community or a friend. But let’s be blunt: these meetings rarely provide any direct professional benefit for me. I see them as an opportunity to pay it forward, just as others have generously done for me over the years. Lately, however, I’ve noticed that many people don’t fully appreciate the value of time. Here are three mistakes people make when asking for me to give up my time: 1.  𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. I understand that life happens, but I’ve been canceled on last minute far too many times. For example, “My teacher just assigned a big project, and my group needs to meet at the time we scheduled for lunch. Can we move it to next week?” As a small business owner, every hour of my day needs to create value. When I dedicate an hour to someone else, I’m stepping away from generating value for my business. Last-minute cancellations, while better than no-shows, still disrupt my day and leave me unable to fully utilize that time for other priorities. 2. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁. I've found myself in situations where I told someone I would meet with them and then asked when they wanted to get together. Their response to me was, "Oh, I am so flexible. I can meet just about any evening after 7:30 or Thursday and Friday afternoons between 4:00-6:00" I am a parent. My kids play sports. I work incredibly hard to ensure I don’t miss a single game or event. To be honest, I’m not going to skip my child’s soccer game to grab coffee and discuss careers in the talent space. If you’re serious about setting up a meeting, be respectful of the other person’s time. Offer three specific time slots spread across different parts of the day (morning, lunch, afternoon). For example: “I know you’re busy, so here are three options that might work. If none of these fit, I’d be happy to suggest other times.” 3. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗲. We live in the age of Google. You need to Google me before the meeting and know a little about me before you ask for my time. I consider introductions as social currency. If someone is willing to make connections for you, they are essentially giving you a check to cash... the value is determined by YOU. Don’t waste your opportunity or my time by being unprepared.

Your #PersonalBrand is not just having a profile on LinkedIn or a refined elevator pitch ready to go 👀 Here are some things you may want to consider as you grow your personal brand ⬇️ ✅ Thematic elements are important If you want to be recognized and remembered, add a few thematic elements to your branding materials to stand out. I like pinks, purples, and yellows, but your color choices might be different. Use your LinkedIn banner to display a custom image with your signature style. I've had many people tell me my logo and branding stand out (thank goodness, because that's what I'm always going for!). ✅ Value has to be visible Adding information to your LinkedIn profile is one thing, but making sure it tells your unique story is another. If you're not taking advantage of the Featured section or sharing unique content, you're missing out on valuable opportunities to be discovered. Create your own website (Google Sites is a great place to start!) and maintain it. Most of my inquiries come from my website (thank you, SEO). ✅ What do you want to be known for? Think about this question every time you post something, participate in an event, answer an inquiry, and get some visibility. What are you sharing? How are you showing up? What do you want people to know about you? Do you want to be helpful and offer a service? Do you want to be a mentor? Be intentional about how you're being evaluated in person and online. ✅ Don't overlook outreach Sending messages, submitting proposals for conferences and workshops, and sharing your ideas widely, are necessary for building your brand. There's a balance between waiting for people to find you and doing some searching yourself. Over time, I've had to reach out less to be seen, but I value the power of could outreach, connection requests, etc.

In the last 3 years, I helped 49 clients find the job they love. The common networking advice job seekers get: Step 1: Send generic connection requests. Step 2: Wait (and hope) for responses. Step 3: Share your resume immediately. Step 4: Repeat until success. I found a better approach: 1. Research the right people: Focus on recruiters, hiring managers, and practitioners in your target field. 2. Personalize every message: Mention shared interests, their work, or the company in your outreach. 3. Start with value: Ask thoughtful questions or express genuine admiration for their expertise. 4. Build a relationship: Engage with their posts or provide insights before asking for help. 5. Follow up strategically: Stay polite and persistent without overwhelming them. If you follow this process, you'll build meaningful connections that can help you find the place where you enjoy working.