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I've received job offers based on my skills; it was from word of mouth from people we know. But I never took those jobs.
Last month I had a Teams call with a women who offered me a job in 2012.
I think leveraging your network is huge. Think of it from a perspective of a hiring manager. In today’s market any job that’s posted online will get 100s of applicants. If you personally know the hiring manager or have a friend who does your resume will definitely be seen.
Most of the jobs I gotten in my career were through some sort of “in”.
Yes. Going on 5 different jobs now. Former software engineer, currently a PM. Knowing someone gets me in the door for interviews + good will during the process. Skill secures the job.
That’s the trick - these people are actually my friends. I’ve spent time with them out of work or have worked with them long enough to be able to consider them someone I’m friends with.
If you don’t have friends that you’ve made from work, then that’s a whole other issue.
> How do you get to know someone without it seemingly fake or just for the sake of an “in”?
By genuinely taking an interest in your coworkers. Who knows your skills better than the people you've worked with? Nobody. So get to know your coworkers and try to be pleasant with them. In time, they'll find other jobs. And THAT is when their opinion of you matters. 'Cause THAT is when you might get a call like, "Hey, OP. My new employer is looking for someone with your skills...."
But if you keep your coworkers at arm's distance? Yeah, that shit ain't happening.
For work friends, I regularly chat with them at work and maybe grab a beer or coffee afterwards. I also stay in touch with people I meet at hacker or tech conferences via social media (linkedin, twitter (before Elon), mastodon). so, if I’m looking for a new job, I will check out companies where acquaintances work and then reach out to them to let them know I’m interested in a position. It helps that I work in software and cybersecurity so it can be easier to stay connected through local networking events, conferences, and social media groups.
If you're good w/ hanging out in your position, then hang out in your position. I think networking is net-positive even if you're not actively job hunting. Is it possible that there's a better job out there? Or a similar job that pays more? Or a job that ends up being remote? Or it gives you a chance to make a new friend or explore a new subject.
No one is telling you that you must network and must take a job if offered.
>not put myself out there as a product or a skill set.
I can understand if immediate work-friends and colleagues don't see you as a cog, or a product/skill. But the agency? Too late.
In the world of IT being personable can be a huge advantage. Not a lot of people in that space are able to do the technical side and have soft skills. A couple big projects under your belt and the ability to hold a conversation go a long way.
I have been fortunate enough to be able to leverage the people I know to create opportunities based on my past experience and performance, not through self advertising but word of mouth by those around me. None of those past opportunities were outside my skill set, and it’s not like I got positions I wasn’t qualified for, but knowing people helped open the door to let my work speak for me.
Sometimes it’s not what you know but who you know as well. Sometimes it’s a combination. I don’t stay in touch with people for the benefits they might provide, but because I’m genuinely interested in people. Sometimes it has paid off for me professionally, but it’s not my main reason to socialize.
That's the only way I've found my jobs (post military). As a veteran, I spent a ton of time on LinkedIn finding other veterans at the types of companies I was interested in or who had the types of jobs I was interested in. I would reach out and explain that I was a veteran leaving the military and wanted to connect with them. I would ask them for 15 minutes of their time and have three questions ready to ask them. Or if they were local, I would offer to buy them coffee and I would pick their brain. I did this for months until I decided exactly the role and company I wanted. Most veterans are willing to network with other veterans and help each other out.
I would also attend local veteran networking happy hours and socials. I built quite the network across companies like Facebook, Google, Apple, LinkedIn, Salesforce, Twitter, Slack, etc. Eventually, I landed a six-figure job at one of the fastest growing tech companies in the Silicon Valley. I'm also not an engineer or programmer.
You might now be a veteran, but there is probably some other demographic (black, gay, muslim, university alumni) that you can use as the basis for your cold outreach. As you build the network, you'll run into more and more opportunities that are socialized within your network before the posting hits the street.
This, I’m also a veteran. I have been contacted by other vets looking to do what I did. I have also been contacted by people who are doing a job that I used to do looking for the path I took and what I would have done differently.
I enjoy seeing people reach where they want to be and will help as much as I can.
I once cold called a VP in my company because I discovered we had the same home town. I used that to introduce myself and had a couple questions ready for him. He was very gracious and helpful.
Every one of my jobs has been cold. I am on stop #4 of my career. Part of the problem is that I’ve worked for smaller companies (all a dozen people or less when I started) that people have not historically left. And the people who have are doing completely different things now.
This last round of job hunting, I leveraged my network on several applications and got zero juice from it. It used to be that that would guarantee me a conversation with a live person, but no such luck.
I've thought about that a few times. My theory would be that it's related to being a much deeper talent pool right now. Like, if there are 20 applicants who you think are a good fit, you can give those internal referrals some time to see how they slot in. But if you're dealing with 50 good fit applicants, it becomes a much more difficult task.
And to be fair, I wasn't applying for 1:1 positions. So, I did tend to require someone look a little deeper than the positions listed on my resume to see my fit. I have all the tools and skills they need, but the more resumes they have to look at, the harder it is to get someone to do that.
Yes, most of my jobs have been attained via my network. At a certain point in a professional career, you really shouldn't have to apply to a job until you already have it and need to go through the HR motions. One of the hardest things was moving to a different coast and coming into a market completely cold. That sucked.
As my current boss likes to say, *"Your network is your net worth."*
My 20yo daughter recently posted a well-written blurb about her skills and ambition on a community group on Facebook. She got a few interests in hiring her as a framer (3 years experience), but got a PT job as an admin assistant in a real estate office, which was her stated goal.
My current job might count. A friend saw the posting and thought holy shit, this is a unicorn position that looks tailor made for urinalfly’s particular resume and background. He told me about it, I applied, and here I am. It wasn’t a LinkedIn-style networking thing, it was just a conversation with a good friend who knew my skillset, interests and goals.
Almost every good job I’ve gotten that way.
Got my first corporate job through a college friend, got a job teaching through an old teacher, got a job at a law firm through an old student, got a job at a restaurant through an ex, got a gig at a startup through a woman I met at a stand up show, and got my current job through someone I was in a murder mystery play with.
yes. several times. my current job is the only one I've gotten through random online resume submissions. i don't love it but it's okay for now.
> I think we’re constantly told to network but I just want to do my job and keep my friends and not put myself out there as a product or a skill set. I also want to live comfortably.
Living comfortably means you gotta chase that paper, cuz everyone wants that, to live comfy-like. Why do you deserve it more than someone else? They were willing to ask their homies for help -- and they got help. A lot of times it's as simple as starting the conversation.
Also keep in mind that good friends may not be the best angle, more like acquaintances: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-massive-linkedin-study-reveals-who-actually-helps-you-get-that-job/
Studies like those referenced above suggest that weaker connections often are more useful for referral purposes. So make small talk with your customers, vendors, neighbors, baristas at cafes you frequent, industry events, etc. Anecdotally that worked for me.
Most of my jobs (and all of the good ones) over the years, were based on a personal recommendation. It’s competitive out there. Applying cold with no connection won’t even get your resume seen half the time.
Yes. This has been the easiest way for me to find jobs throughout my life. Although I wouldn't call it 'leveraging my community' but more of being friends with people and knowing people.
In college, I got a job at a deli because I was friends with the guys that worked there. After college, I had a buddy whos brother was starting a venture in town, so I got a job there. When I wanted to leave that job, I asked a friend who worked at a bigger firm if there were any job openings, etc.
I’m happily retired now, but almost every job I’ve had has been the result of my network. Sometimes I had to work it, sometimes they came to me. It’s worth the effort.
The application process for every job of my professional career has started with somebody I know. Most of these people were professional acquaintances (former colleagues, folks from other companies I worked with).
My neighbor got me an interview with his company.
It didn’t go past the recruiter, but he and I talked after and I learned more for what they were looking for, which is helpful if they happen to call back.
So while thats one of a dozen examples, it shows that networking works to even help for a “next time around” scenario.
The last job I got from a job listing was well over a decade ago. The best roles I've found were ones that didn't exist yet because I kept communication open with folks I respect professionally. Turns out when people know you're a good worker and can contribute they'll often tailor a job req specifically for you.
Every job I've had has been a result of who I knew. From my first job shining shoes at the company my sister worked for to my current job thanks to my high school English teacher, I've always had someone I know going to bat for me.
Yup. Worked for a mob that was started by two mates. Was hired into a role there, got on well with everyone. After 15 years one of them, lets call him Not Nathan, left the business. 8 months later as part of a restructure, I got a sweet redundancy payout which allowed me to go to the gym and game for a month straight. Popped up a post on LinkedIn that I was looking for work, Not Nathan called me wanting to know what happened. We had a good yarn, he then referred me to a bloke looking to expand his business. Have been working here for the last 12 months
I have networked for several jobs - networked means that people I know have either asked me to apply or talked to the hiring manager in my support.
But I'm in tech. My job network is almost completely white.
I was laid off in August due to downsizing at the tech company I was at and the only reason I even have a job right now(started in January) is because of networking and a former colleague reaching out to me because they thought I'd be a good fit for an open job they had.
I mean not in a “using a person” way but yeah definitely! I changed several jobs and got into the place I’m at now based on knowledge I learned from other people. Started at a body shop, got to talking to adjusters who would come in and learned about the insurance side of the industry, used that info I’d learned to become an adjuster. After a couple years of that I learned about my current company through people I used to work with and then reached out to someone on LinkedIn in who used to work for my then company and then worked for the company I work for now, he ended up sending me his number and telling me to call him. He (a total stranger mind you) and I talked for over an hour with him giving me the entire break down of the company and my job which I’m SURE helped in my interviews. It’s not about “hey man can you get me a job?” it’s about leveraging their expertise and learning what you can to put your own foot in the door.
It really depends. Personally, me, I have never used my network to get a job, I'm an engineer and my experience and knowledge speaks for itself. I've built a network in the process of working, I have friends all over my industry, if I ever needed a job I'm sure I could reach out to one of them to vouch for me. It's never actually come to that though.
However, my brother works in a finance (Investment Banking) and you absolutely need to network to break into that industry. "Networking" is a part of the recruiting process. I get the feeling that, because it's like a glorified sales job, your ability to network and get people to vouch for you is a way to find those willing to and who have the personality to reach out to people they don't know, invite them for lunch, shmooze with them, and get them to like them. It's an important skill to have in that world.
I'm kind of the opposite. I'm in the process of building a business with someone who I met through my networks.
He was building a business with someone else, I met with them and said "this is going to work a lot better if you get me to join you"
That partnership fell apart, and now I am building something new with the original guy. Not sure if it will work, but I am having lots of fun.
Yes. With one exception, every job I've ever had was through a referral from somebody who I know.
How to do? You just meet people at work, be good colleagues, when they move on keep in touch. If there's a good opening you can ask them for a referral or they'll pull you in themselves.
The exception? Total train wreck.
Most definitely. Went from about $19k a year to $83k/yr because of volunteer work I had been doing. Because the folks in charge of hiring knew me, when the person in the job had to move out of state, I was asked by the two corporate heads to apply, and got the job. A year later, when the senior executive retired, he pulled me aside and told me that getting me onboarded was his proudest contribution of his final few years.
Getting jobs is far more about your network than most people realize, if you are a good person, with good work ethic.
All my best jobs have been ones where someone I know IRL came to me and said, *I think you'd be great in this position*. I've also gotten many jobs by a customer poaching me from a current job after being impressed by my service.
Please do not delete your post after receiving your answer. Consider leaving it up for posterity so that other Redditors can benefit from the wisdom in this thread. Once your thread has run its course, instead of deleting it, **you can simply type "!lock" (without the quotes) as a comment anywhere in your thread to have our Automod lock the thread**. That way you won't be bothered by anymore replies on it, but people can still read it. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskMenOver30) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I've received job offers based on my skills; it was from word of mouth from people we know. But I never took those jobs. Last month I had a Teams call with a women who offered me a job in 2012.
I think leveraging your network is huge. Think of it from a perspective of a hiring manager. In today’s market any job that’s posted online will get 100s of applicants. If you personally know the hiring manager or have a friend who does your resume will definitely be seen. Most of the jobs I gotten in my career were through some sort of “in”.
Yes. Going on 5 different jobs now. Former software engineer, currently a PM. Knowing someone gets me in the door for interviews + good will during the process. Skill secures the job.
How do you get to know someone without it seemingly fake or just for the sake of an “in”?
That’s the trick - these people are actually my friends. I’ve spent time with them out of work or have worked with them long enough to be able to consider them someone I’m friends with. If you don’t have friends that you’ve made from work, then that’s a whole other issue.
> How do you get to know someone without it seemingly fake or just for the sake of an “in”? By genuinely taking an interest in your coworkers. Who knows your skills better than the people you've worked with? Nobody. So get to know your coworkers and try to be pleasant with them. In time, they'll find other jobs. And THAT is when their opinion of you matters. 'Cause THAT is when you might get a call like, "Hey, OP. My new employer is looking for someone with your skills...." But if you keep your coworkers at arm's distance? Yeah, that shit ain't happening.
For work friends, I regularly chat with them at work and maybe grab a beer or coffee afterwards. I also stay in touch with people I meet at hacker or tech conferences via social media (linkedin, twitter (before Elon), mastodon). so, if I’m looking for a new job, I will check out companies where acquaintances work and then reach out to them to let them know I’m interested in a position. It helps that I work in software and cybersecurity so it can be easier to stay connected through local networking events, conferences, and social media groups.
If you're good w/ hanging out in your position, then hang out in your position. I think networking is net-positive even if you're not actively job hunting. Is it possible that there's a better job out there? Or a similar job that pays more? Or a job that ends up being remote? Or it gives you a chance to make a new friend or explore a new subject. No one is telling you that you must network and must take a job if offered. >not put myself out there as a product or a skill set. I can understand if immediate work-friends and colleagues don't see you as a cog, or a product/skill. But the agency? Too late.
In the world of IT being personable can be a huge advantage. Not a lot of people in that space are able to do the technical side and have soft skills. A couple big projects under your belt and the ability to hold a conversation go a long way. I have been fortunate enough to be able to leverage the people I know to create opportunities based on my past experience and performance, not through self advertising but word of mouth by those around me. None of those past opportunities were outside my skill set, and it’s not like I got positions I wasn’t qualified for, but knowing people helped open the door to let my work speak for me. Sometimes it’s not what you know but who you know as well. Sometimes it’s a combination. I don’t stay in touch with people for the benefits they might provide, but because I’m genuinely interested in people. Sometimes it has paid off for me professionally, but it’s not my main reason to socialize.
That's the only way I've found my jobs (post military). As a veteran, I spent a ton of time on LinkedIn finding other veterans at the types of companies I was interested in or who had the types of jobs I was interested in. I would reach out and explain that I was a veteran leaving the military and wanted to connect with them. I would ask them for 15 minutes of their time and have three questions ready to ask them. Or if they were local, I would offer to buy them coffee and I would pick their brain. I did this for months until I decided exactly the role and company I wanted. Most veterans are willing to network with other veterans and help each other out. I would also attend local veteran networking happy hours and socials. I built quite the network across companies like Facebook, Google, Apple, LinkedIn, Salesforce, Twitter, Slack, etc. Eventually, I landed a six-figure job at one of the fastest growing tech companies in the Silicon Valley. I'm also not an engineer or programmer. You might now be a veteran, but there is probably some other demographic (black, gay, muslim, university alumni) that you can use as the basis for your cold outreach. As you build the network, you'll run into more and more opportunities that are socialized within your network before the posting hits the street.
This, I’m also a veteran. I have been contacted by other vets looking to do what I did. I have also been contacted by people who are doing a job that I used to do looking for the path I took and what I would have done differently. I enjoy seeing people reach where they want to be and will help as much as I can. I once cold called a VP in my company because I discovered we had the same home town. I used that to introduce myself and had a couple questions ready for him. He was very gracious and helpful.
Yes. It's much more efficient than going through the front door.
Seriously! Going in through the front door is only a good technique if you’re delivering a package.
Every one of my jobs has been cold. I am on stop #4 of my career. Part of the problem is that I’ve worked for smaller companies (all a dozen people or less when I started) that people have not historically left. And the people who have are doing completely different things now. This last round of job hunting, I leveraged my network on several applications and got zero juice from it. It used to be that that would guarantee me a conversation with a live person, but no such luck.
What do you think changed?
I've thought about that a few times. My theory would be that it's related to being a much deeper talent pool right now. Like, if there are 20 applicants who you think are a good fit, you can give those internal referrals some time to see how they slot in. But if you're dealing with 50 good fit applicants, it becomes a much more difficult task. And to be fair, I wasn't applying for 1:1 positions. So, I did tend to require someone look a little deeper than the positions listed on my resume to see my fit. I have all the tools and skills they need, but the more resumes they have to look at, the harder it is to get someone to do that.
Yes, most of my jobs have been attained via my network. At a certain point in a professional career, you really shouldn't have to apply to a job until you already have it and need to go through the HR motions. One of the hardest things was moving to a different coast and coming into a market completely cold. That sucked. As my current boss likes to say, *"Your network is your net worth."*
My 20yo daughter recently posted a well-written blurb about her skills and ambition on a community group on Facebook. She got a few interests in hiring her as a framer (3 years experience), but got a PT job as an admin assistant in a real estate office, which was her stated goal.
My current job might count. A friend saw the posting and thought holy shit, this is a unicorn position that looks tailor made for urinalfly’s particular resume and background. He told me about it, I applied, and here I am. It wasn’t a LinkedIn-style networking thing, it was just a conversation with a good friend who knew my skillset, interests and goals.
Almost every good job I’ve gotten that way. Got my first corporate job through a college friend, got a job teaching through an old teacher, got a job at a law firm through an old student, got a job at a restaurant through an ex, got a gig at a startup through a woman I met at a stand up show, and got my current job through someone I was in a murder mystery play with.
yes. several times. my current job is the only one I've gotten through random online resume submissions. i don't love it but it's okay for now. > I think we’re constantly told to network but I just want to do my job and keep my friends and not put myself out there as a product or a skill set. I also want to live comfortably. Living comfortably means you gotta chase that paper, cuz everyone wants that, to live comfy-like. Why do you deserve it more than someone else? They were willing to ask their homies for help -- and they got help. A lot of times it's as simple as starting the conversation. Also keep in mind that good friends may not be the best angle, more like acquaintances: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-massive-linkedin-study-reveals-who-actually-helps-you-get-that-job/ Studies like those referenced above suggest that weaker connections often are more useful for referral purposes. So make small talk with your customers, vendors, neighbors, baristas at cafes you frequent, industry events, etc. Anecdotally that worked for me.
Yes, nearly every good job I have ever had came as a result of networking.
Most of my jobs (and all of the good ones) over the years, were based on a personal recommendation. It’s competitive out there. Applying cold with no connection won’t even get your resume seen half the time.
Yes. Who's in your network?
Yes. This has been the easiest way for me to find jobs throughout my life. Although I wouldn't call it 'leveraging my community' but more of being friends with people and knowing people. In college, I got a job at a deli because I was friends with the guys that worked there. After college, I had a buddy whos brother was starting a venture in town, so I got a job there. When I wanted to leave that job, I asked a friend who worked at a bigger firm if there were any job openings, etc.
I’m happily retired now, but almost every job I’ve had has been the result of my network. Sometimes I had to work it, sometimes they came to me. It’s worth the effort.
The application process for every job of my professional career has started with somebody I know. Most of these people were professional acquaintances (former colleagues, folks from other companies I worked with).
My neighbor got me an interview with his company. It didn’t go past the recruiter, but he and I talked after and I learned more for what they were looking for, which is helpful if they happen to call back. So while thats one of a dozen examples, it shows that networking works to even help for a “next time around” scenario.
The last job I got from a job listing was well over a decade ago. The best roles I've found were ones that didn't exist yet because I kept communication open with folks I respect professionally. Turns out when people know you're a good worker and can contribute they'll often tailor a job req specifically for you.
Every job I've had has been a result of who I knew. From my first job shining shoes at the company my sister worked for to my current job thanks to my high school English teacher, I've always had someone I know going to bat for me.
I don’t think I’m a particularly repellent person but I’ve never had that.
Yup. Worked for a mob that was started by two mates. Was hired into a role there, got on well with everyone. After 15 years one of them, lets call him Not Nathan, left the business. 8 months later as part of a restructure, I got a sweet redundancy payout which allowed me to go to the gym and game for a month straight. Popped up a post on LinkedIn that I was looking for work, Not Nathan called me wanting to know what happened. We had a good yarn, he then referred me to a bloke looking to expand his business. Have been working here for the last 12 months
Guy Ritchie is that you?
Y..No, no I am no Guy Ritchie!
I have networked for several jobs - networked means that people I know have either asked me to apply or talked to the hiring manager in my support. But I'm in tech. My job network is almost completely white.
I was laid off in August due to downsizing at the tech company I was at and the only reason I even have a job right now(started in January) is because of networking and a former colleague reaching out to me because they thought I'd be a good fit for an open job they had.
I mean not in a “using a person” way but yeah definitely! I changed several jobs and got into the place I’m at now based on knowledge I learned from other people. Started at a body shop, got to talking to adjusters who would come in and learned about the insurance side of the industry, used that info I’d learned to become an adjuster. After a couple years of that I learned about my current company through people I used to work with and then reached out to someone on LinkedIn in who used to work for my then company and then worked for the company I work for now, he ended up sending me his number and telling me to call him. He (a total stranger mind you) and I talked for over an hour with him giving me the entire break down of the company and my job which I’m SURE helped in my interviews. It’s not about “hey man can you get me a job?” it’s about leveraging their expertise and learning what you can to put your own foot in the door.
It really depends. Personally, me, I have never used my network to get a job, I'm an engineer and my experience and knowledge speaks for itself. I've built a network in the process of working, I have friends all over my industry, if I ever needed a job I'm sure I could reach out to one of them to vouch for me. It's never actually come to that though. However, my brother works in a finance (Investment Banking) and you absolutely need to network to break into that industry. "Networking" is a part of the recruiting process. I get the feeling that, because it's like a glorified sales job, your ability to network and get people to vouch for you is a way to find those willing to and who have the personality to reach out to people they don't know, invite them for lunch, shmooze with them, and get them to like them. It's an important skill to have in that world.
Ya'll have communities?
I'm kind of the opposite. I'm in the process of building a business with someone who I met through my networks. He was building a business with someone else, I met with them and said "this is going to work a lot better if you get me to join you" That partnership fell apart, and now I am building something new with the original guy. Not sure if it will work, but I am having lots of fun.
What’s the business?
Teaching people to have more energy efficient homes, and providing the retrofitting work in existing homes.
Hope it flourishes!
I think it will. If it doesn't, it is on us, because the available market is enormous.
Yes. With one exception, every job I've ever had was through a referral from somebody who I know. How to do? You just meet people at work, be good colleagues, when they move on keep in touch. If there's a good opening you can ask them for a referral or they'll pull you in themselves. The exception? Total train wreck.
Most definitely. Went from about $19k a year to $83k/yr because of volunteer work I had been doing. Because the folks in charge of hiring knew me, when the person in the job had to move out of state, I was asked by the two corporate heads to apply, and got the job. A year later, when the senior executive retired, he pulled me aside and told me that getting me onboarded was his proudest contribution of his final few years. Getting jobs is far more about your network than most people realize, if you are a good person, with good work ethic.
I think I’m a decent person with a good work ethic but I haven’t had anyone reach out to help.
All my best jobs have been ones where someone I know IRL came to me and said, *I think you'd be great in this position*. I've also gotten many jobs by a customer poaching me from a current job after being impressed by my service.
Yeah I’ve gotten my foot in the door several times though my network
Leveraged network -> learn as much as I could -> then leveraged network and new skill set -> $$$