If you don't network, you may as well quit

Hey folks,

Last week, we dived into the whole debate about whether company loyalty gets you anywhere in today's job market. (If you missed it, you can catch up here).

This week, I want to tackle another major roadblock job seekers face – the perception that they don't have a strong network.

You do have a network, you just don’t know it

"I don't have a network. That's my whole problem...".

That’s what one of my clients recently told me.

It's something I hear often, and frankly, it's not true. You have a bigger network than you think. You’re just not looking closely enough.

A network isn’t some VIP club for CEOs - in fact, everybody has one.

I bet that if you counted just the people you know directly (family, friends, and coworkers), you’d come up with at least 10 to 20 people in your network.

What about the people they know (second degree connections)? If you find two second degree connections for every first degree connection, you now have a network of 20 to 40 people. And so it goes.

Your network can be built around…

• Family members

• Friends

• Former colleagues (bosses and coworkers)

• College connections and alumni (every college or university has one)

• Projects (people in your hobby groups, volunteer organizations, or online communities might know of opportunities you'd never find on a job board)

• Industry leaders you follow (if you actively engage online with them and take the time to build some rapport, they could become part of your extended network)

I know it works…

Wanna know why?

Around 1 of every 4 clients tell me that they’ve never needed a resume before because they had always just found jobs through people they knew.

Just the other day, I was speaking to a Director of Customer Success at a large SaaS company (let’s call him Sam - not his real name) and he said that in the last 10 years, he’s never needed to apply for jobs. He just landed them through his network.

Sam would essentially play tag with his coworkers. When someone on his team left to join another company, they’d refer Sam, and vice versa. This worked for 18 years…that’s 18 years where he didn’t even need a resume. Not once.

I can go on and on with stories of people moving through their career and up the corporate ladder purely due to their connections.

For most, the problem isn’t the lack of a network, but how to leverage it

Almost everybody knows a few people, but that’s not really the issue. It’s what you do with those connections.

To illustrate, let’s use a garden metaphor. Think of your network as different areas in a garden that need attention.

1. The Seedbed: Your core people. These are your easiest connections: former colleagues you liked, trusted mentors, and close friends who know your work well.

2. The Neglected Patch: These are the dormant ties. Old classmates, former managers you haven't spoken to in years, connections from conferences. It might feel awkward at first, but you won't know what they're up to until you reach out.

3. The "Wish List" Plot: Who are your dream companies? Industry figures you admire? Note them down. Your goal is to find the paths that lead you closer to those contacts.

Visualize your network

If you're visual, draw a literal map. Put yourself in the center, and branch out with different categories of connections.

For you spreadsheet lovers, create a spreadsheet in Google Sheets or MS Excel. Create columns for Name, Current Company/Role, How You Know Them, Last Contact, and a "Potential" column for how they could possibly help.

You’d be surprised at what you might find once you start to map out your network.

Action Plan

Seedbed strategy - Networking, like tending a garden, isn’t a one and done activity. Regular watering is needed, so reach out to your people consistently, even if it's just sharing an article they might find useful or congratulating them on a work milestone.

Revive neglected patches - Focus on rebuilding those old connections.

Your wish list - Can someone you already know introduce you to someone closer to that dream contact? Attend industry events where those people might be present? Strategize the steps to get you closer.

Remember: Gardens Take Time (But It's Worth It)

Expect it to take time and don't be discouraged if you don't see results overnight. Some seeds sprout quickly (a casual chat turns into a job lead), others take months or longer (a consistent connection builds trust that leads to opportunity later).

Got Success Stories?

Have you ever tapped into your "hidden" network in a surprising way? Or, are you completely stumped on where to even start with this mapping exercise? I want to hear from you!

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