Improve Your Virtual Networking Skills

You already know how much network connections can level up your job search, right?

So. many. people. land jobs through their network.

That's because you are 8-10x more likely to land a job through a referral.

It's a mega advantage worth leveraging in your job search.

If you've been following my content for a while, you already know I think the most powerful tool you have is your social capital.

If you don't have a network in tech yet, it's time to get busy networking and building relationships.

Below are some tips on how to network more effectively.

Here's the deal: You have to reach out to strangers to grow your network.

You can network from your couch nowadays by joining Slack communities, sending messages on LinkedIn or via email, and just engaging on sosh meeds.

It's honestly never been easier to build relationships, have coffee chats and help other people just via Zoom.

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Sidenote: Helping others is the strongest way to build your network, tbh.
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If you feel timid about sending connection requests or sending cold outreach, I hate to tell you sis, you are missing the whole point of social networks.

Literally, these platforms were created to connect.

So get in there and actively reach out to people.

Connect with people who are in the roles you desire to be in, inside of companies you want to work at, and everyone else in between.

If you want someone to refer you to a job or to help you in your job search, you have to send them a message and make it easy for them to help you.

Remember everyone is busy and focused on themselves. 

So you have to break through the noise to get responses.

Here are my tips:

🥥 Be brief. 

Fact is, ain't nobody trying to read your multiple-paragraph message you blasted to your whole network. Nobody has the time.

Keep it concise, personalized and clear - both in writing and in conversation.

If the message is too long there's a high chance it will be immediately discarded. No bueno.

Ideally, keep all emails/messages to one thumb scroll in length. 


🥥 Know what you want from the person. 

Before reaching out, have a clear idea of how someone can help you. 

Then get right to the point in your message. 

Be direct and ask the question.

Make it easy for the person to decide if they can help you.


🥥 Target the right people. 

Networking with the right professionals can be worth more than having a high number of random connections.

When I was new to tech sales, I went HAM going to sales events to network and build relationships, because I was new to tech. 

And it paid off. 

I will never forget early in my tech career I met a Lyft executive at an event and he agreed to meet me for coffee (irl, pre-pandemic) to chat about a book. 

A year later, he referred me to multiple jobs at his and various other companies. 

I was floored: just one high-value connection and all these doors opened down the line. 

That’s when I really began to understand the long term power of a strong network. 

Moral of the story: Build your network consistently and with intention.

In the long term, this strategy will help you get new jobs and opportunities you never imagined or can't even think up right now.

Every deposit you make into your relationships could pay off 10x in the future.

Start by being clear in your outreach and making it easy for others to help you.

Help us help you.