Networking for Professionals

🎣 “They didn’t even cc me.” This was how Yumi, a senior marketing director, found out her billion-dollar product had been repositioned, without her input. The project she had been leading for 18 months was suddenly reporting into someone else. She didn’t mess up. She wasn’t underperforming. She just wasn’t "there". Not at the executive offsite. Not at the Friday “golf and growth” circle. Not at the CEO’s birthday dinner her male peer casually got invited to. She was busy being excellent. They were busy being bonded. 🍷 When she asked her boss about the change, he was surprised: “You’re usually aligned with the bigger picture, so we assumed it’d be fine.” In Workplace politic-ish: Yumi was predictable. Available. Yet not powerful enough to be consulted. 🔍 What actually happened here? Women are told to build relationships. Men build alliances. Women maintain connections. Men maintain relevance in power circles. It’s not about how many people like you. It’s about how many people speak your name when you’re not in the room. And in most companies, the real decisions - about budget, headcount, succession, are made off-the-clock and off-the-record. 📌 So, how do you stop getting edited out of influence? Try these: 1. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 ��𝗮𝗽.    Not the org chart. The whisper network / shadow organistion.    Who gets invited to early product reviews?    Who influences without title?    Start mapping that!     2. 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲-𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁.    If your name hasn’t been mentioned by 3 different people in senior leadership this month, you are invisible to power, even if you’re a top performer.     3. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴.    Skip the webinars and female empowerment panels.    Start showing up where strategy happens: QBRs, investor briefings, offsite planning, cross-functional war rooms.     4. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹.    Schedule recurring 1:1s with lateral stakeholders, not to “catch up,” but to co-build. Influence travels faster across than up.     5. 𝗕𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘀.    If you vanished for 2 weeks and no one noticed, you’re not central enough to promote.     🧨 If any of this feels raw, it’s because it is. Brilliant women are being rewritten out of their own stories, not for lack of performance, but for lack of positioning. That’s why Uma, Grace and I created 👊 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿: 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀👊 A course for women who are done watching strategic mediocrity rise while they wait for recognition. It’s not about becoming someone else. It’s about learning the rules that were never designed for us, and playing like you intend to win. 🔗 Get it if you’re ready, link in comment. Or wait until they “assume you’d be aligned,” too.

Networking can open doors…or close them. Avoid these 7 mistakes to make the right impression. 1. Only networking when you need something ❌ Don't: Wait until you're job hunting to build connections ✅ Do: Regularly engage with your network and build relationships before you need them 2. Neglecting to follow up on advice ❌ Don't: Take someone's advice and disappear ✅ Do: Take action on their suggestions and circle back to share your progress. Show them their time mattered 3. Dominating the conversation ❌ Don't: Dominate conversations with your own achievements ✅ Do: Ask thoughtful questions and practice active listening. Aim for 30% talking, 70% listening 4. Rushing to ask about jobs ❌ Don't: Don’t rush to ask about job openings right away ✅ Do: Focus on learning about their experience and building genuine rapport first 5. Ignoring online networking ❌ Don't: Treat LinkedIn as just a resume database ✅ Do: Engage meaningfully by commenting on posts, sharing relevant content, and celebrating others' milestones 6. Forgetting to add value ❌ Don't: Focus solely on what you can get from the relationship ✅ Do: Learn about their goals and actively look for ways to help them succeed 7. Letting connections fade ❌ Don't: Let valuable connections fade away ✅ Do: Create a simple system to track check-ins and send quick, personalized notes about their achievements The key to successful networking isn't just about making connections. It's about nurturing them. Reshare ♻ to help others in your network. And follow me for more posts like this.

12 ways to network your way into a new role (Without sending annoying cold DMs) Everyone talks about networking into a new role. But you don’t have to send spammy LinkedIn DMs: “Hey, I’m applying for a job, can you refer me?” It's a big ask to someone you don’t know. Real networking is a powerful tool. Here’s 12 ways to build your professional network: 1/ Join alumni committees ↳ Active members get first job referrals 2/ Connect your connections  ↳ Value multiplies through introductions 3/ Find conversations everywhere ↳ The hair salon or barbershop is a connection spot 4/ Attend industry events  ↳ Real connections happen in smaller spaces 5/ Build your board of directors ↳ Offer to help at their events/workshops 6/ Join non-business groups  ↳ Life interests create stronger bonds 7/ Create micro-communities  ↳ Small groups drive deeper connections 8/ Volunteer strategically ↳ Join committees where decision-makers serve 9/ Host mini-meetups ↳ Bring 3-4 professionals together for coffee 10/ Attend a public talk ↳ Find others who are similarly aligned 11/ Online professional communities ↳ Informal Slacks, Discords, & masterminds 12/ Professional associations ↳ Give you an immediate shared starting point Focus on building genuine relationships. One meaningful connection a week is 52 a year. Build a network before you need a job. How are you going to build your network this week? ♻️ Repost to help your network 🔔 Follow Ashley Couto for career growth

Want to pitch someone on LinkedIn? Read this before you hit “send.” Every week, I get messages that go something like this: “Hi, I’m [Name]. I’ve built this incredible thing. It’s doing amazing work. Here’s why it matters. Can you help me/share it/connect me?” It’s not that I don’t care. I do. But these messages usually miss the mark and here’s why: They center the sender. Not the receiver. Here’s the truth: When you approach someone for the first time, you (and your project, product, or platform) are not the hero of the story. THEY are. If you want someone to care, start by showing that you care about what they do, what they stand for, what they’re building. Read their posts. Watch their interviews. Figure out what they’re trying to solve. Then ask yourself: how does what I’m doing help them win? Make your message less “I need,” and more “Here’s what I see in your work and how I can add value.” Additional tips: 💬 Keep it short. Long-winded intros are overwhelming. You’re not writing your bio, you’re opening a door! Three concise paragraphs is plenty (even less if you can). 🎯 Be specific. Instead of saying, “Let’s collaborate,” say: “I’d love to explore how we could align my youth platform with your mission to build stronger leadership pipelines.” People respond better when they know exactly what you’re asking. What’s your call to action? 🧠 Show you’ve done your homework. A thoughtful compliment goes a long way. “Your post on LinkedIn really made me think.” “I noticed you’ve been working on Y and I’m building something that could support that.” It shows you care enough to listen first. 🤝 Give before you ask. Share a helpful resource. Offer a useful intro. Tell them about an opportunity they might benefit from. Relationships are built on generosity. 📆 Respect their time. Instead of jumping into a call request, consider asking: “Would it be okay if I shared a 1-pager for you to skim in your own time?” People are more open when they don’t feel pressured. Please don’t immediately ask for a call. 💡 Think of it as planting, not picking. Your goal isn’t to “get” something, it’s to begin something. Not all outreach will lead to a project right away, but if done well, it can spark long-term relationships, ideas, and even unexpected opportunities. ✨ Bonus hack: I often ask my clients to count how many times they say “I” vs. “you” when they write to, present to or speak to their stakeholders. If the “I”s win, revise. It’s not listener-centric enough. Connection starts with empathy, not ego. Lead with curiosity. Offer service. That’s how collaborations are born. If these tips are helpful, check out Storytelling and Leadership for more. #Storytelling #AuthenticConnections #LinkedInTips #Leadership #PurposefulWork

Hate pitching yourself on LinkedIn? Use the “10:3:1” LinkedIn outreach system a method that builds warm connections, without feeling awkward or salesy. Last week, I spoke to six tech professionals. All job hunting. None with a system. Step 1: Search strategically • Use the search bar. Type roles you want next: “Engineering Manager”, “Product Designer”, “Tech Lead” • Click “People” • Filter by location (e.g. Sydney, Melbourne) • Filter by industry (e.g. Information Technology, Startups) • Add “Current Company” filter if you’ve got a shortlist Step 2: Choose 10 profiles daily (or weekly) Scan for: • Shared backgrounds (bootcamps, unis, career switches) • Work at companies you admire • Mutuals in common Save these to a doc or spreadsheet. Step 3: Personalise the connection note Don’t skip this, people remember those who take the time. 📍 Template: Referencing a post “Hey [Name], just read your post on [topic]super relevant as I’m exploring [similar role or space]. Would love to connect.” 📍 Template: Mutual context “Hey [Name], noticed we both worked in [X] or follow [Y]. Always keen to connect with folks solving interesting problems.” 📍 Template: Direct but friendly “Hey [Name], saw your profile while exploring [industry/role]. I’m currently in transition and learning from others doing solid work. Thought I’d say hi.” Step 4: Engage with 3 of their posts • Leave thoughtful comments (not just likes) • Highlight a takeaway or ask a follow-up • If they haven’t posted, check what they engage with Step 5: Nurture 1 relationship per week • Follow up with a question about their role, team, or journey • Offer something of value (a resource, intro, or perspective) • Ask if they’d be open to a quick virtual coffee Why this works: → You build visibility without spamming → You stand out with relevance → You learn directly from people doing the work Start small. 5 reach-outs per week is plenty. No automation. No sales pitch. Just real conversations. In tech, trust opens doors faster than resumes. If this helped, follow me (Eli Gündüz) for practical tactics that actually move your job search forward.

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

Most people freeze when they want to reach out to someone influential. Here’s the 5-step formula I’ve used to connect with the CEO of Scribe, the co-founder of Leland, the content team at Notion, and even creators I admire 👇 1. Follow first. Connect later. Don’t just hit “connect.” Follow them, spend a few weeks learning from their content and activity. Be a quiet observer. 2. Find your entry point. Look for a personal connection - a post you loved, a campaign you admired, a shared background, a comment thread you can join. 3. Create context. Once you find something specific, DM them with a message that shows: → You’ve done your homework → Why this moment made you want to connect → What you admire or learned from them 4. Make the ask polite + specific. Don’t write paragraphs. Respect their time. Example: “Would love to ask you 1 question about your work at [company] – totally okay if now’s not a good time!” 5. Nurture the connection. Even if they don’t reply, keep engaging with their content. Most of my opportunities came weeks after my first message. This method helped me land internships, collaborations, interviews, and lifelong mentors. Try this 5-step system and tell me what worked. #linkedin #network #tips

#3 out of 54,000 (Source: Apple Charts)! Here are 10 things I’ve learned about podcasting after 165 episodes on 1 year anniversary of my podcast… Episode Length: Episodes less than 30 minutes have a 25% higher download rate. (this ain’t true crime…nobody cares for more than 30 mins). Multiple Episodes per Week: Having more than one episode a week increases subscriber growth by over 15% every 90 days or so. Getting Personal: Sharing personal stuff makes your podcast not totally suck. imo. Emojis in Podcast Title: Embarrassing to say but increases download rate by about 5%. Why have a podcast: It forces you to learn stuff. You need to stay up to date on things in your industry or you can’t talk about them. Having this forced education holds you accountable. I cannot understate the value of this enough. Why have a podcast part 2: Meet cool people. Every person you have on your podcast is now a real part of your network. Not just a random connection on linkedin but a human that you can talk with and maybe even get business from. Why have a podcast part 3:  Exactly like an email newsletter a podcast is a group of people you can communicate with whenever you so choose. This is an owned asset that grows over time. You need more owned assets and not just social media connections. You won’t read this far but if you do… Why you should NOT have a podcast- You don’t have the time to do it. This is total garbage. You can make it work. I have no time to go to the bathroom but I know the value of building something where I can connect with people. Wake up earlier, stop scrolling on social media, stop watching reality tv (wait…don’t do that). Nobody will listen. Who cares. Everybody starts at zero downloads. You will learn things, meet people, and grow as a human by doing it. I have nothing to say. Really? I doubt that. You are super interesting. Everything is interesting – what did you eat for dinner, what failure did you overcome….life is interesting! Why most podcasts suck (in my opinion) – They are not specific. Share useful information and not just meaningless high-level garbage. They have too many ads. I have the best sponsor in the world! They are Marigold and they totally get it and want the podcast to flow and and also give me a lot of flexibility on how I promote them. Be very selective if you take on a sponsor to make sure it is going to add to your show and not ruin it. Last thing – I started this exactly one year ago. I had never listened to a podcast before I started. I had zero downloads and literally no clue. I wish I started it sooner. If you have a podcast drop it in the comments so I can give it a listen! 

Whoever coined the word “networking” needs to go to jail. Ask 10 people how to do it, you’ll get ten different answers. And that’s the problem. Because networking isn’t one skill. It’s FIVE. Unless you know which one you’re practicing, you’ll always leave events feeling like you “didn’t network enough.” Here’s the breakdown: 1. The Skill of Initiating The courage to walk up, introduce yourself, and open a conversation that isn’t empty small talk. Start with something real enough to spark interest, but light enough not to overwhelm. Most people fail here because they wait for the “perfect moment.” 2. The Skill of Listening Sounds cliché, but it isn’t. Great connectors aren’t the smoothest talkers, they’re the sharpest listeners. The right questions make people open up. A direct pitch kills networking. Listening makes it come alive. 3. The Skill of Positioning The least discussed skill. Positioning isn’t bragging. It’s telling your story so it sticks. A one-liner people can carry with them and repeat when you’re not in the room. Confuse them, and you’ve lost them. 4. The Skill of Following Up The most underrated. A conversation without follow-up is just noise. Real networking begins the next day—when you show you remembered, cared, and chose to continue. 5. The Skill of Compounding Networking isn’t built in a single night. It’s the compounding of tiny touchpoints over years. That stranger in the coffee line becomes an ally when you’ve shown up enough times with small acts of value. Now here’s the thing: You can’t master all five at once. And you shouldn’t even try. At your next event, pick one. Maybe it’s just practicing your opener. Maybe it’s testing your one-liner. Maybe it's religiously sticking to your follow-up. Get one right. Build momentum. Then move on to the next Because networking isn’t a gift. It’s not “some people have it, others don’t.” It’s a learned skill. And like every other skill, it’s mastered piece by piece—not in one grand performance. So stop treating networking like a mystical ability. Start training it like the craft it actually is. Which of the five are you good at? Which one do you struggle with? #networking #communication #collaboration #mindset #work #skills #event