Networking Strategies for Scientists

In my early career, I thought networking was all about building as many connections as possible. But I quickly learned that effective networking isn't about the quantity of your connections—it's about the quality. Throughout my career, the connections that have truly made a difference weren’t the ones where I just asked for help—they were the ones where I made it easy for others to want to help me. If you want to make others genuinely want to help you, it’s crucial to move beyond simply asking for favors. Instead, focus on creating value and building relationships where both parties benefit. So, how can you do the same? Here are four tactical tips to help you network effectively: ✅ Do Your Homework Before reaching out, research the person or company you’re interested in. Understand their work, challenges, and how you can add value. For instance, instead of asking a connection for job leads, do your own research first. Identify specific roles and companies you’re targeting, and then ask if they can help with an introduction. This approach shows initiative and respect for their time. ✅ Be Specific in Your Ask Whether you’re asking for an introduction, advice, or a referral, be clear and concise about what you need. For example, instead of asking, “Do you know anyone hiring?” say, “I noticed [Company Name] is looking for a [Role]. Would you be open to introducing me to [Person]? I’m happy to send you my resume and a brief write-up you can pass along, too.” This shows that you’ve taken the initiative and makes it easier for your contact to say yes. ✅ Offer Mutual Value When requesting a meeting or advice, frame it as a two-way conversation. Instead of saying, “Can I pick your brain?” try something like, “I’d love to exchange ideas on [specific topic] and share some strategies that have worked for me.” This not only makes your request more compelling but also positions you as someone who brings value to the table. ✅ Follow Up with Gratitude After someone has helped you, don’t just say thank you and disappear. Keep them in the loop on how their help made an impact. Whether you got the job, secured the meeting, or just had a great conversation, let them know. This closes the loop and makes them more inclined to help you in the future. Your network is one of your greatest assets—nurture it well, and it will be there for you when you need it most. What’s one networking tip that’s helped you build stronger connections? *** 📧 Want more tips like these? Join Career Bites - free weekly bite-sized tips to supercharge your career in 3 minutes or less: lorraineklee.com/subscribe 📖 You can also get behind-the-scenes stories, updates, and special gifts for my upcoming book Unforgettable Presence: lorraineklee.com/book

My work is done here… 🙄 What are the best ways to engage with recruiters and industry leaders on LinkedIn to build strong career connections? Engaging effectively with recruiters and industry leaders on LinkedIn can open doors to job opportunities, mentorships, and long-term professional relationships. Here are some of the best strategies: 1. Optimize Your Profile First Before reaching out: • Professional photo and compelling headline (beyond just your job title) • Well-written summary showcasing your strengths and goals • Highlight key skills, achievements, and experience • Get endorsements and recommendations ⸻ 2. Engage with Their Content • Like, comment, or share their posts meaningfully • Ask insightful questions or add value to discussions • This gets you noticed before you even reach out directly ⸻ 3. Send a Personalized Connection Request Keep it brief and specific: “Hi [Name], I admire your work in [industry/topic] and would love to connect to learn more about your insights in [shared interest or goal].” ⸻ 4. Follow Up with a Message Once connected, send a message like: “Thanks for connecting! I’ve been following your work on [topic]—really impressed. I’m exploring opportunities in [area], and would love any advice you might have.” Make it clear you value their expertise—not just trying to get a job. ⸻ 5. Add Value Before Asking • Share articles, insights, or reports they might find useful • Tag them (respectfully) in relevant posts if it fits organically ⸻ 6. Join and Participate in Industry Groups Engage in LinkedIn Groups where recruiters and leaders hang out. This shows your interest and gives more opportunities to connect meaningfully. ⸻ 7. Post Thoughtfully • Share your own content—insights, learnings, project highlights • It helps position you as someone active and engaged in your field ⸻ 8. Be Consistent, Not Pushy • Don’t bombard them with messages • Follow up after a week or two if appropriate • Be patient and persistent, not aggressive ⸻ Would you like help drafting a custom message for a recruiter or leader in your field?

I recently go asked "what is one thing that no one tells you about networking when you're an international student?" When I came to the U.S. 6 years ago to study Data Science, I had no idea how important networking would be for my career. Coming from Spain, I thought hard work and a good resume would be enough. Spoiler: it wasn’t. As an international student, job hunting comes with extra challenges: visas, sponsorships, and navigating a system that sometimes feels overwhelming. But here’s the truth: networking changed everything for me. Here’s what worked: 1️⃣ Reaching out to alumni: - I was at Suffolk University in Boston, and I used LinkedIn to connect with alumni in Data Science. At first, it felt awkward—what could I possibly say? But I learned this: people love sharing advice when you ask the right questions. Instead of asking for jobs, I asked about their journeys, challenges, and advice. Those conversations didn’t just lead to referrals; they gave me confidence and clarity. 2️⃣ Leveraging LinkedIn: - LinkedIn became more than just a job board. I posted about projects I was working on, shared my thoughts on the industry, and commented on others’ posts. Over time, recruiters and professionals in my field started noticing me. 3️⃣ Attending industry events: - From local meetups to webinars, I treated every event as a learning opportunity. The key wasn’t handing out resumes—it was making meaningful connections. One conversation at a career fair even led to an internship that shaped my path. Looking back, I realized networking isn’t just about getting a job—it’s about building relationships. As an international student, those connections helped me navigate a career system I didn’t grow up in, and they became my biggest advantage. What’s your go-to strategy for networking? Let’s share tips below—I’d love to hear what’s worked for you!

Looking for collaborators as a researcher? Here are some principles and steps to follow. Principles: 1⃣ Ditch the "Don't talk to strangers" mentality 2⃣ Build your network before you need it – it's a long game 3⃣ Be proactive - schedule it into your calendar 4⃣ Give, give, give 🔸Step 1: Start with your Power Base Start by re-engaging with your connections from college, med school, or your residency/fellowship program. Reconnect with a simple text or email. Ask how they're doing and share your updates. Start with the oldest contacts and work your way up. 🔸Step 2: Social Media/Email 🌐 Academics are often on Twitter & LinkedIn. Follow people in your field, engage with their posts - like, comment, reshare. Remember, interacting actively makes you visible and initiates discussions. Don't just follow - engage! 🔸Step 3: Research 🕵️ Before reaching out, conduct a bit of research. Visit their Google Scholar page or PubMed. Understand their research interests and recent publications. Highlight any commonalities between their work and yours. It demonstrates that you're resourceful, detail-oriented, and have a genuine interest in their work. 🔸Step 4: The Ask 🗣️ Have good manners. Remember, experts don't owe you anything. If they don't respond, they're likely just busy. Don't follow up with "???", that's just rude. When asking: 1️⃣ Establish commonality 2️⃣ Ask for one specific thing. 3️⃣ Don't ask questions that a Google search can answer. 4️⃣ Give them an out to say 'No'. 5️⃣ Thank them regardless of 'yes' or 'no'. Don't block them or talk bad about them. 6️⃣ Give public credit 🔸Step 5: Collaborative Partnership 🤝 After successfully initiating a collaboration, make sure to add value. Always submit your work on time, take initiative, and demonstrate commitment. Don't wait around for instructions Or rely on: “tell me what to do” - that is like giving them homework Instead, say: "I can do X, Y, Z. I can help with that." This shows your eagerness to contribute and eases the burden on the collaborator. Always remember to give credit and appreciate their support in public forums.

Networking is one of the best ways to learn about unadvertised jobs in biotech. But how do you network? What are you supposed to say? This is one of the most common questions I get from scientists, so let's dive into it. ---------- First, don't just start asking people for informational interviews because someone told you to do it. Instead, identify who you want to connect with and build a relationship with them.  To do that, use the steps below ---------- 𝟭) 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 Perform a LinkedIn search using keywords associated with skills you have Example -you are a scientist -you know IHC -you know flow cytometry -you know CRISPR Search: "scientist"" AND ("ihc" OR "cytometry" OR "crispr" OR "molecular biology") Select the jobs filter. Click on each job description and read through If you meet 80% of the criteria, you might be a good fit for this role. Make a list of roles you could be a good fit for. Write down the name of company & location of role. Do this for at least 20 roles (100 is better) 𝟮) 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝟱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 As you start making your list of roles you will see patterns in companies that come up. Identify the top 5 companies that keep coming up 𝟯) 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝟭 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝟮 Connect with people who are in the role you think you want, as well as those that are one level above the role and one or two levels below the role. Example: For Sr. scientist, one level above could be Staff sci, and one level below could be Sci 2 Add 5-10 connections per company per week, each with personalized notes in your invitation request. 𝟰) 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Get to know the person you connected with. Don't try to sell them on you. Don't ask them to mentor you. Don't ask to pick their brain. Don't ask for an "informational interview." Don't ask them about their journey. Just explain to them that you're interested in working within their business unit and you'd appreciate any information they could provide to support that. 𝟱) 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 If the relationship organically goes toward the direction where you'd like to get to know the person even better, ask if they'd be willing to get on a call sometime to chat. When you chat with them - don't tell them your life story, don't talk endlessly about your research, and don't try to sell them on anything. Just get to know them, be honest about where you are in your career, what you want for yourself, and if they offer to help have a clear ask for them. Things you can ask for if they offer help -referrals -connections with others -periodic check ins to see if anything new opened up That's it. It's that simple. Try the steps above and see if they help you get to where you want to be. #biotech, #biotechjobs, #scientist

Please STOP relying solely on job boards to advance your clinical research career. I see too many clinical researchers applying to dozens of roles online without networking, which often leads to frustration and missed opportunities. Yet, they’re still repeating the cycle of applying and waiting for a response. If you’re already actively seeking new opportunities, try this instead: 1️⃣ Engage with clinical research professionals on LinkedIn. Comment on their posts, share insights, and start meaningful conversations. 2️⃣ Join structured networking groups like the Clinical Research Referral Club to connect with peers and mentors who can refer you to opportunities. 3️⃣ Attend industry webinars and events to meet people and stay updated on trends. 4️⃣ Optimize your LinkedIn profile to highlight your unique skills and experiences, making it easier for recruiters and peers to find you. For example, instead of sending 20 generic job applications, spend an hour building relationships with employees at companies you're interested in. A personal connection often opens doors that job boards can't. You’ll achieve career growth much faster by focusing on building relationships and visibility rather than relying solely on online applications. Try this approach for the next 30 days and see the difference it makes. What’s your biggest challenge with networking in clinical research? Let’s talk in the comments!

Networking feels fake when you're in STEM. Here's why👇 You walk into that industry event and think you need to: * Hand out business cards to everyone * Talk about yourself to strangers   * Ask for LinkedIn adds within minutes * Set up "coffee meetings" that feel weird * Mention important people you know * ...the uncomfortable small talk continues We're all so focused on what networking "should" look like that we forget most of us chose science and tech because we love solving problems, not selling ourselves (I'm no exception). Building work relationships matters - 85% of jobs come through people you know. But unless we also treat networking like sharing ideas... We'll always feel like we're being pushy. And because it feels fake and salesy, we'll skip it completely - then wonder why others get the opportunities. Here's what worked for me after 15 years in tech leadership: Instead of: "Can you help me get this job?" Try: "How do you handle [work challenge they mentioned]?" Instead of: "Let's meet to talk about job openings"   Try: "Your point about [topic] was interesting - I'm seeing that too in my work" Instead of: "Who can you introduce me to?" Try: "I've been working on [specific problem] - have you dealt with this?" Instead of: "Can you connect me to your contacts?" Try: "You might find this [article/tool] useful based on what you said" The best work relationships I built happened when I: → Asked about their actual work, not their connections → Shared what I learned from my own projects   → Helped others before asking for help → Followed up with helpful resources, not just requests → Made every chat about learning, not asking for favors Stop networking for jobs. Start networking to learn. The job opportunities come naturally when people see you as someone who adds value, not just someone asking for things. ♻️ Repost to help more women in STEM build real professional relationships

One of my favorite pieces of advice to give to early career professionals about how to maximize networking opportunities at a conference: Stand up and ask a question during a session early on in the program. You get to introduce yourself to the entire audience in one fell swoop by stating your name and company before asking your question. And ideally you ask a thoughtful and memorable question on the topic you most want to talk to people about. Now you’ve teed yourself up for the most fruitful conversations possible throughout the rest of the event. You might have to remind people “I’m so-and-so, the person who asked the question about XYZ during the session on ABC” but then you can continue on to ask what they think about the topic. It’s a great conversation starter aligned with your business objectives for the conference.

Building a high-level network is the best way to create 'career insurance' - Here are 7 ways you can network BEFORE you need a job And yes - I've done each of these myself. 1 - Connect a high-level leader to someone looking for podcast guests. Become a connector. Find podcast hosts that would be interested in leaders at your firm. 2 - Plan a 'Career Growth' session at work; invite select managers and leaders as guest speakers. Speaking opportunities will appeal to some leaders; give them an opportunity they can't pass up. 3 - Publish a collaborative LinkedIn article - reach out for quotes and comments from leaders or managers in the space. Reach out to 5–6 leaders and ask for 1 quote on an industry trend. Compile their insights into an article or post; tag them, and amplify their visibility. 4 - Send them an "I built this based on..." message Find a keynote or panel where a leader shared a framework or insight. Build a visual, write an article, or make a slide based on the idea; send it to them. 5 - Send a Video, but Make it About Them Instead of pitching or requesting, record a short video sharing a story of how their work impacted you or your team. Keep it under 60 seconds. 6 - Create a 'Modern Mentorship' Series Turn your learning journey into content. Interview 10 high-level leaders via email or LinkedIn DMs and ask 2-3 thoughtful questions. Share each response as a short post. 7 - Send Periodic 'Gratitude Messages' A simple message thanking them for their inspiration - or something valuable they taught you. Have you tried any of these proactive networking approaches? Let me know if/how they worked. ♻️ Repost if you found this list helpful! Follow me for daily job search strategies.

“I’ve applied everywhere. I’ve heard nothing.” If that’s you right now... Let’s pause. Let’s pivot. Because what if the answer isn’t more job boards... but new doors you haven’t knocked on? If you're a May 2025 grad (especially on an F-1 visa), job searching in the U.S. can feel like running a marathon in a fog. But here’s a secret: You don’t always need access to the C-suite. You need a crack in the door. And cracks? You can create them. Here are networking strategies you haven’t tried yet—and how to do them in real life. 1. The “Alumni Stack” Strategy Instead of a one-off message to one alum, build a chain. How to do it: Search for alumni from your school on LinkedIn Use filters: industry + location + company (e.g., “Data Analyst” + “Bay Area” + “Visa Inc.”) Reach out to 5 with a message like: “Hi [Name], I’m a May 2025 grad exploring roles in [field]. I noticed you’ve made a transition I really admire. I’d love to hear 2 mins of your journey—no pressure to respond, just grateful to learn from alumni like you.” Once you speak to one, end by asking: “Is there someone else you’d recommend I reach out to next?” That intro makes the next conversation 10x easier. It’s like referrals—but for insight. 2. Start a “Career Curiosity” Newsletter (Even if it’s just 5 subscribers) When you share what you’re learning, you become a magnet. How to do it: Pick a free platform (Substack, Beehiiv, LinkedIn articles) Once a week, share what you're learning in your job search: 1 resource (course, tool, podcast) 1 insight (“What I learned from shadowing a UX designer”) 1 question for your readers Share it with people you admire: “Hi [Name], I’ve started a small newsletter where I unpack career tools and lessons as a new grad. I mentioned your work in the latest edition—thank you for the inspiration!” Suddenly, you’re not just searching. You’re creating conversation. 3. Offer to “Intern” for 1 Week (Unpaid & Project-Based) It’s bold—but bold gets remembered. How to do it: Identify small companies, startups, or nonprofits you genuinely care about Find a task you could help with (BIM audit, website UX review, blog writing) Reach out with: “Hi [Name], I’m a recent grad learning [skill]. I’d love to offer 1 week of help—free—on a micro-project your team’s too busy to finish. I’ll treat it as a capstone, and you get a finished piece of work. Open to it?” Even if they say no—you’ve made a lasting impression. And if they say yes? That could turn into a referral or a role. Final Thought: Most people think networking = asking for jobs. But real networking? It’s creating a reason to stay in someone’s mind—long before you ever apply. Your goal isn’t to impress. It’s to connect. To show up with curiosity. To leave behind a feeling that says: “This person is going somewhere.” Try just one idea this week. #JobSearch2025 #NetworkingWithoutCringe #InternationalStudents #GradLife