Networking for Professionals

I’ve worked for Meta and now Salesforce. I have interviewed with Google, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest so I know how competitive it can be. Here’s what they don’t tell you about landing a role at these #companies:  1. Your resumé gets 6 seconds of attention. #Recruiters skim quickly. If your key achievements aren’t visible at first glance, you’re out.  ✔️Quantify your results.  ✔️Use action verbs.  ✔️Keep it clean, clear, and concise.  2. #Networking > applying blindly. Most hires come through referrals. I landed #interviews at top companies by:   ✔️Attending events ✔️Connecting with hiring managers ✔️Reaching out to people in roles I wanted Focus on relationships, not just applications.  3. Interviews are more than just technical skills. Yes, you need to know your stuff. But what really sets you apart?  ✔️Your ability to collaborate  ✔️How you handle feedback  ✔️How well you understand the company’s challenges  4. Follow up (but don’t stalk). Sent your application? Had an interview? Follow up ✔️ A thoughtful, polite message keeps you top of mind—just don’t overdo it. Tech hiring is competitive, but if you play smart, you increase your chances dramatically.  I’ve done it, and so can you. If you’re applying to top tech roles, what’s been your biggest challenge so far? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to help! #Techcareer #Techlife #Meta #Salesforce #Linkedin #Google #TikTok #Pinterest

🎣 “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 𝗺𝗮𝗽.    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.

20 years ago, I wrapped up my entrepreneurial run, after we sold NerveWire to Wipro in the prior year, and was ready to embark on the consulting leg of my career. I also joined LinkedIn, a recently launched platform that had just over 100K users globally. I wondered if Reid Hoffman was influenced by John Guare’s “Six Degrees of Separation” and the concept behind it but I certainly was, as I saw the opportunity for networking to be transformed with #technology. To put it into perspective, picture yourself as an American #student who wants to connect to a #President of another country. Pretty hard, considering how extraordinarily busy the president is and the tens of millions students out there just like you. In 2004 (before LinkedIn), you (as that student) would have had to construct many theoretical #networking sequences to potentially make that happen (maybe a professor knows a businessman who knows another businessman and so on). It would have taken months to test these multi-stage connections and you would be trading a lot of favors to achieve your goal (if you even could). Today in 2024, it takes minutes to create the #connections and only days to test them. You could easily connect to a professor who knows a specific businessman who just met with the President or another student who volunteers at a charity that is an interest to a Cabinet Minister, and the connections go on. Six degrees of separation becomes three, the testing is faster and “yes, I can connect you” is easier, with fewer favors needed to trade. Just imagine 2034 - with people leveraging the power of #AI, allowing us to know all potential and quickest sequences, test them instantly, and assess the probability of execution. There could be the possibility that a relative vacationed with a colleague who works in the office of the president. Or a music teacher wrote a song for a business associate of the President or even more far fetched connections. Considering AI can even match you with people you never thought about talking to based on your skills and interests (a fashion guru in Europe and a skilled coder in Asia are connected to form a start-up?), this really feels like one degree of separation world. This reality is close, turning even the most introverted people from far-flung communities into power networkers. I enjoyed leveraging LinkedIn for 20 years and thank you, my network of nearly 35,000, for your ideas and #inspiration. Remember, that you are just one connection away from each other!

💡 If I were graduating today, I wouldn’t spend hours on job boards. Thousands of candidates apply every day, and most resumes get lost in the noise. Instead, I’d follow a proactive approach that actually works: 1️⃣ Track startups that just raised funding Check out venture capital firm pages on LinkedIn or their websites. Startups that recently secured funding are growing fast—and they need talent. 2️⃣ Find the founders and founding team They know exactly what their company needs, making them the ideal people to pitch. 3️⃣ Send a thoughtful, personalized message Introduce yourself, but more importantly, show that you’ve done your homework. Mention 1–2 things you genuinely admire about their product, mission, or recent achievements. 4️⃣ Show the ROI of hiring you Instead of sending a resume, explain how your skills can solve their immediate challenges or accelerate growth. Your outreach should say: “Here’s how I can add value,” not “Hire me.” Fun fact: one month before I graduated, I didn’t have a job. I got tired of applying through traditional channels, so I messaged every founder I knew, explained how I could help them grow, and landed my first Product Manager contract without a single job board application. 🔥 Opportunities don’t always come through the standard path. Sometimes, you have to create them yourself.

My candidate landed a ₹15 LPA offer at a top MNC without even applying. No resume drop. No job portal. How? ✅ She unlocked the hidden job market that most candidates never see. So, how did she do it? Not with luck. But with a strategy anyone can use: 1. She built her brand before she needed a job. She shared her wins, projects, and insights on LinkedIn consistently. Example: Every Friday, she posted a carousel breaking down a real-life analytics problem she solved at work, tagging teammates and sharing key takeaways. This made her visible as a problem-solver in her field. 2. She reached out to industry peers, not just HR. No generic “Hi, can you refer me?” Instead, she started real conversations about trends, challenges, and solutions in her field. Example: She messaged a data scientist at her dream company, commenting on a recent paper he’d published: 👇 “Hi Raj, I loved your article on predictive analytics in retail. I’ve been working on similar models for FMCG clients and would love to exchange notes!” This led to a meaningful chat, not a cold request. 3. She gave before she asked. She offered feedback on others’ work, shared resources, and celebrated others’ milestones. Example: She congratulated connections on promotions, shared helpful webinars in group chats, and offered to review a peer’s resume before asking for any help herself. 4. She followed up, politely and persistently. After every conversation, she sent a thank-you note: 👇 “Thanks for your insights, Priya! I’ve already started applying your advice. Hope we can catch up again soon.” She stayed top of mind, not just top of the inbox. You don’t need a massive network. You need genuine connections, a clear story, and the courage to show up before you need help. If you’re still waiting for the “perfect” job post to appear, you’re already late. The best opportunities are shared in DMs, whispered in meetings, and offered to those who are already visible. Start building your presence, your relationships, and your reputation today. #jobsearch #jobopportunities #jobinterview #careergrowth

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.

Whenever I go to a networking event, I walk in as a CAT. Meow Just kidding. CAT is a three-part framework that finally made networking feel like something I could actually enjoy—instead of something I had to survive. It’s how I’ve landed invitations, intros, and opportunities, without ever delivering a “pitch.” 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬: C - Curiosity Don’t walk in trying to sell. Walk in wanting to learn. When you’re genuinely curious, people can tell. Your questions get sharper. The conversation gets real. Suddenly, they’re opening up and you’re both actually interested, instead of just circling the same old small talk. Ask stuff like, “What made you choose this path?” and see how much more you get than ten minutes of polite nodding. Bonus side effect of being curious? No anxiety. Curiosity kicks self-consciousness out the door. It’s Win Win. A - Add Offer something useful, expect nothing back. Most people try to get noticed by talking about themselves—flip that. Leave them better than you found them. Maybe you share a contact. Maybe you offer a resource based on something they casually mentioned. Maybe you say, “I know someone who solved that exact thing, want me to connect you?” It’s rare, and people remember it. Generosity that isn’t transactional is magnetic. T - Timing Leave a breadcrumb for next time. Most “let’s stay in touch” promises fade out because there’s nothing to anchor them. So end the conversation with a time cue: “Let’s catch up after your launch, I want the inside scoop.” “Tell me how the team offsite goes when we reconnect.” Now the follow-up feels natural, not forced. And you show you were actually paying attention, which—let’s be honest—most people aren’t. So that’s CAT. Curiosity + Add + Timing. It’s how I network without feeling like a salesperson. Try it at your next event, and let me know if it works for you. Follow Aaina for more such posts! #networking #collaboration #events #branding #strategy #mindset

7 Questions To Ask When Networking (To Turn Strangers Into Referrals): 1. “What’s a skill or mindset shift that helped you the most in your career, but isn’t talked about enough?” People love to share wisdom that isn’t “common knowledge.”  This question opens the door for that and allows them to explore a number of different options. It will also lead to some great advice you can take action on. 2. "Who’s been a major influence in your career, and what’s the best lesson they taught you?" This question helps set a more personal tone for the conversation.  It allows your contact to tap into mentors they love who shared meaningful lessons. It will also tell you more about what they value when it comes to relationships and growth. 3. "What’s something exciting happening in your field or company that most people don’t know about yet?" This question positions them as an “insider.”  It gives them a chance to share knowledge that most people don’t have and they’ll feel like they’re in a unique position of authority. It also gives you more insight into industry trends! 4. "What’s a misconception people have about your role or industry?" People love to have the chance to set the record straight about their industry or their job. This questions gives them the chance to do that.  It also gives you more insight into what’s actually happening in these fields / at this company that you might not learn from some online searching. 5. "My current goal is to improve [Relevant Skill]. Would you recommend I do [Action A] or [Action B]?” This positions your contact as an expert, while making it easy for them to reply. It also opens the door for the next conversation.  When they give their answer? You can tell them you’ll do it and then follow up with them. Just make sure to follow through on that :) 6. "If you were in my shoes and looking for your next opportunity, how would you go about it?" Asking for a referral outright can feel pretty awkward. This question opens the door to that conversation without pressuring your contact to commit to anything. If they want to refer you? They’ll probably mention it. If not? You’ll still get advice you can act on. 7. "Based on our conversation, who are one or two people you’d recommend I connect with next?” This question creates a networking flywheel. If your contact shares a name, you can ask for an introduction. Now you can expand your network without needing to send cold messages! It’s one of the best tactics out there.

Stop (only) applying for jobs. I'm serious. While everyone will help, here is what actually works: ✅ Spend that time building relationships with people at companies you want to work for. Here's the math no one talks about: 100 applications = 2-3 callbacks (if you're lucky) 10 genuine connections = 5-7 opportunities How do I know? Hiring and getting hired are very similar. So far, all my hires were referrals and introductions. All my clients came through the same. I've placed hundreds of designers. The ones who got hired fastest? They weren't the ones with the most applications. They were the ones who: → DMed designers at target companies about their work (I've hired people who did this at Miro) → Commented thoughtfully on posts from hiring managers → Asked for 15-minute coffee chats, not job talk at first → Built relationships BEFORE they needed them (that's the actual gold here) Real example from last week: The designer spent 3 months engaging with the design lead's content. When a role opened up? She got a DM: "We have something perfect for you." Never even posted publicly. Meanwhile, 847 other designers are fighting over the LinkedIn posting 👹 But here's the part no one teaches you — WHO to reach out to: ✓ Someone I aspire to get to know ✓ Someone's career I aspire to have ✓ Someone who works where I'd like to work ✓ Someone who may be going through similar challenges ✓ Someone I will have lots to talk about And here's how I prioritize companies and roles: First, I map out my network: → Find all my previous colleagues — where do they work now? → Find all open roles — what's relevant and what sounds like the best fit? → What can I see about those environments from JDs and career websites? This gives me a targeted list of: ✨ Companies where I already have warm connections ✨ Roles that actually match my skills ✨ Environments I'd thrive in (not just survive) Smart networking > no applications > successful hires. Every. Single. Time. The best jobs aren't advertised. They go to people already in the conversation. So stop being application #248. Start being the person they think of first. Your time is better spent building one real connection than sending 20 applications into the black hole. Trust me on this one. 💬 How did you get your last role: application or connection? Tell me and let's do some market research together ⬇️

How to (female) Diplomat: Navigating Male-Dominated Spaces (Without Losing Your Dignity, Self Respect and Authenticity) A very senior ambassador once threw a top secret briefing on the ground in front of me—fully expecting I’d pick it up. A calculated power move, dressed up as carelessness. I let it lie there. After all, his arms weren’t broken. Instead, I met his eyes and said, “I think you dropped something, Ambassador.” Then waited. Silence. Eventually, he bent down and picked it up. I realised something that day: Some people test you just to see if they can. And if you play along, they’ll keep pushing the boundary. I’ve spent years being the only woman in the room – whether in the army or diplomacy. Sometimes the youngest, too. And often, the only one not trying to prove I belonged by mimicking the men around me. Because here’s the real power move: 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. Trying to blend in might feel like the safest option, but in diplomacy or business, it’s your differences that make you effective. So, if you find yourself in a room where the rules weren’t written with you in mind, try this: 1️⃣ 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 Ever notice how some men tend to take up space—physically, vocally, and in decision-making? Don’t shrink. Take the seat at the table. Speak first if you have something valuable to say. → 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲; 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 2️⃣ 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 I once watched a male colleague dismiss a female diplomat’s input in a negotiation—only for him to miraculously propose the same idea 15 minutes later. Instead of calling it out directly, she let him own it and subtly reinforced the idea so it stuck. The win mattered more than the credit. Every single person in that room knew where the credit lay. → 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗴𝗼. 3️⃣ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 Not everyone in the room wants to see you succeed. But some do. Spot the quiet power brokers—the ones who influence decisions without being the loudest. → 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀. Some of your best allies might be men. 4️⃣ 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁 𝗼𝗻 “𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆” Ever been told you’re too direct? Or not assertive enough? Too friendly. Or not friendly enough. The double bind is real. But instead of playing an impossible game, reframe it: →𝗗𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗲? 𝗗𝗼 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳? If the answer is yes, likeability is a bonus, not the goal. 5️⃣ 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀—𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺 Whether it’s a demeaning “joke,” being interrupted, a door deliberately slammed in your face—set the boundary. Then hold it. Because the moment you don’t, they’ll push it further. 💡 You don’t need to be louder, tougher, or “one of the guys.” You just need to be strategic about how you show up. What’s worked for you in male-dominated spaces? Let’s share the playbook. 👇