The Connection Between Networking and Job Referrals

I asked 443 people who landed a job in the last 6 months how they did it - and because I'm relentless, I DM’d several of them for the details 👀 Here’s what they said: - 39% got hired through a job application only - 38% landed their role through a referral or someone in their network - 11% were reached out to directly - 12% marked “other” and DM'd me (saving these gems for another post!) For this post, I wanna talk about referrals. Because every time I bring them up, I get feedback from people who swear that referrals don’t make a lick of difference in their application. But the data says otherwise!! Referrals are JUST as effective as job applications. So why do so many people think they don’t work? My guess - it comes down to how people think about networking, and who they are networking with. Many assume networking = cold DM’ing your LinkedIn connections that work at your target company, and asking them to essentially tag you in the company’s ATS as a “referral”. This might work… sometimes… if you’re lucky. But for all the people that landed jobs and shared their stories, this was what actually worked: 💡 It’s not just about knowing someone at the company - it’s about knowing someone with hiring influence. - A hiring manager referred a rejected candidate to a colleague at another company - and they got hired. - A former supervisor vouched for someone internally, even when no job was posted. - Someone got passed over at first, but their referrer kept advocating for them - so when the first-choice hire didn't work out, they got the offer. 💡 Most referrals didn’t come from cold outreach - they came from past colleagues, former bosses, or professional acquaintances. - Someone caught up with an old coworker and learned about an unposted job. - Another had a standing check-in with a former boss, who later hired them at a new company. - One person told their manager they wanted to leave, and instead of quitting, the company created a role just to keep them. 💡 Cold outreach worked - but only when it wasn’t just about asking for a referral. - Someone cold-called companies just to ask what they look for in an employee. The CEO liked their initiative and invited them for an interview. - Another reached out on LinkedIn not for a referral, but to learn about someone's career path. That conversation led to a job. 💡 Some of the best networking didn’t even feel like networking. - A job seeker met a company director at trivia night, followed up, and got an interview. - Another ran into someone at the gym, and that casual chat led to a job. - A plus-one at a work event struck up a conversation - months later, they got hired at the company. So, the TLDR: Networking is effective when approached with the goal of building meaningful relationships, with people in positions of hiring influence, so that you are top of mind when the right opportunities come up. Have a story to share about networking efforts that lead to new opportunities? Let's hear it!

Want to know your #1 job search secret weapon? Your Network! Research shows, referred candidates get hired 30% faster than those who apply cold. Think about it: A referral means someone is vouching for you. It's proof of trust, competence, and alignment before you even step into the interview room. If you're job hunting, here's your roadmap: 1️⃣ Build meaningful connections: Reach out to peers, mentors, and industry leaders with curiosity and intention. 2️⃣ Ask the right questions: Before networking, get clear on who you are, what you value, and what excites you. This clarity helps you spark meaningful conversations. When connecting, ask about the company’s culture, their biggest challenges, or what opportunities excite them. Authenticity creates connection. 3️⃣ Be strategic: Nurture your network to find champions who truly know your strengths and can advocate for you when opportunities arise. Networking isn't just about who you know, it's about how you show up. Show your value, and let others help you shine. Fun Fact: I've only ever applied for two roles in my 30-year corporate career, all the rest were a result of my network. 💬 Have you ever landed a job through a referral?

One of the most common questions I hear from job seekers is, "How do I stand out in the application process?" 🤔 And, I get it. In a world where 'Easy Apply' is used by everybody and their brother, resumes and cover letters are looking one and the same, and positions are highly competitive, it's important to set yourself apart from other applicants. Most of the time, I see job seekers wanting to set themselves apart in their application materials. But, truthfully, I don't think this is the way to go (at least, not fully) 😶 Especially not when... ➡ Employee referrals are 4x more likely to be hired ➡ Roughly 80% of job openings are NEVER advertised ➡ Nearly 80% of jobs are filled through networking efforts Yes, your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile are important. These materials need to highlight your skills, achievements, personal brand, and character. But, people = jobs 💼 If you want to approach your job search proactively and with the right mindset, you might want to... ✅ Identify alumni, current employees, and hiring managers to network with. Get industry advice on your career materials, information about application processes, and referrals if the opportunity is a good fit. ✅ Spend less time on volume of applications and more time on quality of applications. Every application you submit should have a person 'attached' to it in some way (you know someone on the hiring team, you met a future colleague at a networking event, etc.). ✅ Prepare samples of your work to share. Showing an example of your work and skillset in an interview, networking call, or cold outreach message goes a long way. Whether that means pulling up your LinkedIn profile to show some of your Featured items or toggling over to your GitHub, examples demonstrate more than words! I share more insights on the hashtag #JobSearch in my recent TikTok 💼 Check it out below! https://lnkd.in/ggfQytUV