Finding Networking Opportunities in Your Neighborhood

How I built my network after moving to NYC (without feeling like a walking LinkedIn request). Relocating to New York can feel like being dropped into a 24/7 networking simulation. But instead of trying to "conquer the city," I focused on integrating into it, with people, places, and conversations that felt real. Here's what worked for me: 🫶 Joined communities that actually fit me I found groups like FIF Collective - spaces where creativity and professional curiosity collide. Being surrounded by people who get it makes all the difference. 📅 Subscribed to local event drops (Luma is a gem) Luma became my go-to spot for niche events and curated meetups. No more doom-scrolling - just solid leads on where to be. 👋 Showed up. 1–3 times a week. Consistency is underrated. I made it a rule to attend 1–3 events a week - no matter how busy things got. It kept the momentum going and led to the best kind of accidental meetings. 📲 Booked coffee chats with locals I didn’t wait to “run into the right people.” I reached out early, introduced myself, and scheduled real conversations. These 1:1s have been where the real value happens. 🎯 Events again! Sought out weirdly specific events Think: private equity meetups, investor circles, or even stuff that might not be trending but definitely attracts the people I wanted to learn from. 🤝 Made intros a habit I’d ask, “Is there one more person you think I should meet?”. 🏛️ Private clubs (Yale, Harvard, etc.) One of the best investments you can make is to join a private club or know someone who can invite you as a guest. These clubs opened doors to new circles, and you can meet people who might not be around in any other events. Did I miss something? Add your recommendations below! #NewYork didn’t hand me a network - I built it, a few conversations at a time. And honestly? That’s what makes it feel like home. If you’re new here or starting fresh somewhere else: go where the people are, follow your curiosity, and don’t underestimate the power of showing up.

Getting involved in the community/ecosystem is HUGE for your success and your community's success. I attribute several of my jobs, service opportunities, business partners, and clients to community involvement. Here's exactly how I do it (because I hope all of you wonderful people do something similar. Seriously.): I moved to a new state in 2018. Zero connections outside of my company. 1) Google events that might be relevant to the people you serve or the people who serve the people you serve. Start at a Chamber of Commerce if you can't find anything specific. 2) Network at that event and on LinkedIn. Genuinely just ask what interesting service, networking, and learning opportunities THEY like. Hopefully, that is local to your community or at least regional...but if that truly doesn't exist, and you are crystal clear on who you serve and who your peers are, open your horizons nationwide and look for community online like Pavilion, Bullpen, Chief, and the like. 3) Make it a goal to continue in-person or in-community conversations outside of that context. Schedule time each week to meet with people OUTSIDE of those meet-ups. Your goal is to get that scheduled no later than the next day. If you didn't get to meet someone (say a speaker, maybe), take notes on what resonated with you and a photo of them speaking. Post it on LinkedIn and tag them. Then request them and give context as to why you think you can add value or continue the conversation. 4) Here's my secret (congrats on reading this far). End each meeting with a genuine effort to help them where they are rather than where you wish they were. For me, it looks something like this. "I'm not going to assume I can't add value or I can...if I could do something, solve a problem, or make an intro for you in the next 2 weeks that would make your day or significantly add value to what you're working on (whether you think I can or not) what or who would it be?" 5) THEN GO TRY YOUR BUTT OFF TO DO THAT AND KEEP THEM UPDATED WHILE YOU TRY. You'll be shocked at the doors that open that you never knew existed.

A SWE landed an interview at Capital One from a networking event. Not because he was the most outgoing person in the room. And not because he had a stacked resume. But because he came prepared. He knew what to say. Who to talk to. What questions to ask. He connected with several new people at the event. And one of them referred him to an open position 2 weeks later. Here's a simple guide so you can do the same: 1. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂. → It's easier to talk when you actually care about the topic. Prioritize recurring meetings in your area. But one-off meetings are fine, too. 2. 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁. → Check for Discord groups, Slack channels, or public guest lists. Shoot them a short message on LinkedIn like: "Saw you're attending [Event Name] next week. Would love to connect!" And chat with them a bit before the event. Seeing a familiar face makes it easier to break the ice. 3. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 "𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼?" → Most people respond with a job title and a company. BORING. Have an elevator pitch ready that sparks curiosity. "𝘐 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘦-𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨." Now they have a reason to ask: "How are you doing that?" "What tech stack are you using?" 4. 𝗕𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺. → Good conversations come from interest in others. • What were you hoping to get out of the event? • Was there anyone specific you were hoping to meet? • What's the most interesting project you've worked on lately? 5. 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. → A great conversation means nothing if you never see them again. Connect on LinkedIn or get their phone or email. Whatever they're comfortable sharing. Make it easy to stay in touch. 6. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 → The event is just an introduction. Send a follow up ASAP. Plan a coffee chat or set up a virtual meeting. If there's overlap, collaborate on something interesting. That's how real relationships are built. 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆: Networking doesn't always reward extroverted people. It rewards people who show up with a plan. Try this at your next event. Let me know how it goes. P.S. Have you ever built a connection from a networking event?