How to Network During a Career Transition

The most impactful connections during my transition that led to #joboffers… Came from introductions Meaning I asked someone in my network if they could introduce me to people at a specific company And I got direct email intros to decision makers I was unlikely to have gotten otherwise The key: 1 - the person I was asking had to actually know me Meaning we’d spoken a few times & I’d built some trust 2 - I had to come prepared The person making the intro for me was putting their reputation on the line I wanted to protect or even improve it for them 3 - I didn’t ask regarding jobs that were already posted (too late) I asked for intros within a company to learn more and “establish a foothold” Not just for a job 4 - I replied all with a “thank you” to the introducer before engaging the person at the company Shows EQ and we value what they did for us 5 - I asked the person doing the intro for some details on the person before the meeting Mentioning a few things in conversation can make things go more smoothly for sure 6 - I didn’t ask the person at the company for a job Just to learn about the company, their role, and where I might fit in that field #quinnsights Keep this in mind for your transition And remember: your mentors don’t have ESP IT IS UP TO YOU TO ASK Questions?

Try this: Don’t apply to a single job unless you’re invited to apply. Wait, what?? 🤯 A good friend of mine—a federal employee—came to me recently with concerns. His agency’s mission was shifting, and with the possibility of a future RIF, he wanted to explore other opportunities. Naturally, his first instinct was to apply to jobs online - lots of them. I told him to stop 🛑 Not because he wasn’t qualified, but because in today’s market, the odds are BRUTAL😞. Most roles posted on job boards have 300–1,000 applicants. Even at the lower end, that’s (significantly) less than a 1% chance of landing the job—before you factor in applicant tracking systems, résumé parsing software, and all the time it takes to manually re-enter information for each posting. Instead, I gave him a different plan: Only apply if you’re invited to apply. Here’s how he did it: ↪️ Reconnect with your network – Start with former colleagues from his agency who had already moved to the private sector - not just recently, but those who have been in the private sector for years. ↪️ Make it personal – Mention your agency connection, send a short message acknowledging their successful transition, compliment their career path, and express genuine interest in learning from them. ↪️ Ask for conversations, not jobs – Simply request a call to hear about their experience and gather advice. ↪️ Track everything – Keep a spreadsheet with names, LinkedIn URLs, outreach dates, responses, and follow-up reminders. Over the next two months, he had conversations with a dozen recruiters and landed four interviews/phone screenings. The magic? Many of these introductions came directly from people he’d spoken with, who then connected him to recruiters or even hiring managers. In some cases, those recruiters reached out later to invite him to apply for open roles—no résumé black hole, no competing with hundreds of other applicants. When a new role opened at a company in his network, he could now send a direct message to a recruiter and ask, “Do you think I’d be a good fit?” That’s a completely different game from blindly applying online. This market is tough. You can’t control hiring freezes or applicant volume. But you CAN control your outreach, how consistent you are, and how strategically you grow your network. So my advice: stop sending résumés into the void. Start building conversations that lead to invitations. You got this! 👊

The 3-step playbook I used to get back on my feet after being laid off. Being laid off can feel like the ground’s been pulled out from under you. But taking action can help you regain your footing. Most of us have faced the reality of a layoff. I've been there twice. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝘁: 1️⃣ 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 '𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲' Who are the 5 people you trust enough to reach out to first? These could be former colleagues, mentors, bosses, or industry partners. Send a simple message:   “Hey, just wanted to let you know I’m looking for my next role. Would love your advice or guidance.” This isn’t about asking for a job right away. It’s about starting conversations with people who can offer insights or point you in the right direction. 2️⃣ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁 Create a list of companies you’d love to work for. Start with industries you know or explore new ones that excite you. Use tools like LinkedIn to see where your connections work, or search for "Best Places to Work" lists in your city. This gives you a clear focus and helps direct your networking efforts. 3️⃣ 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 Update your profile (strong headline, updated photo, clear experience). Then, start engaging with content from leaders at your target companies. Comment thoughtfully on their posts. Show your expertise and add value. Building these connections naturally opens doors for conversations. ✨ 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗽 If you have a skillset or insight, leverage it! Create something valuable. A tool, guide, or resource that showcases your initiative. For example, someone in learning design who was laid off built a job search tracker that aligned with her expertise. Most importantly, she shared it for free here on LinkedIn. It doesn't just help her stay organized. It's going to catch the attention of potential employers. 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵. It’s a chapter, not the whole story. Take control, stay proactive, and always be connecting. What’s one step you’ve taken during a career transition that made all the difference? Share in the comments. I’d love to hear your stories. I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker! If you want to become a more confident networker, Do one of these: ✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post ✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more ✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

If you’re “open to opportunities,” you’re making it harder for the right opportunities to find you. Recently I spoke with a senior leader who handled a transition like a strategist, not a job seeker. He didn’t start with a resume refresh or a spray-and-pray outreach plan. He started by choosing three lanes he could credibly win in—and building a tight story for each one. Within two weeks, his network wasn’t just offering encouragement. They were making high-quality introductions because they knew exactly what to listen for. The contrast is brutal: most executives default to being “flexible.” They stay vague, chase random conversations, and end up with activity—not momentum. Here are the principles that consistently separate high-performing transitions from noisy ones: Define 2–3 specific paths. Pick lanes with clear logic (industry, role, scope, value). Specificity creates pull. Lead with outcomes, not responsibilities. Build 5–7 value stories with metrics: growth, operating efficiency, innovation, risk outcomes. Write your “why now” narrative. Not a bio—an investment thesis for you: why you, why this, why now. Pressure-test tradeoffs early. Incumbent stability vs. startup volatility. Cash vs. equity. Operator vs. advisor. Decide before you’re emotional about an offer. Activate your network like a campaign. 30 targeted conversations beats 300 cold pings. Use a simple system: who, why, ask, follow-up. Control your signal on LinkedIn. Your profile should read like a board memo, not a chronology. Headline, positioning, proof points. Run a tight pipeline. Track opportunities like deals: stages, stakeholders, risks, next steps. Transitions fail from weak process, not weak talent. Quick self-check: are you building options—or just collecting conversations? I work with senior leaders on transition strategy: narrative positioning, option evaluation, and network activation, alongside executive search. If you’re quietly considering a move in 2026, comment “LANES” or DM me and I’ll share a simple framework you can use this week.

After seeing thousands of folks transition and go through Boots to Books programs, there are two issues I keep seeing transitioning service members and military spouses face in their career hunts: 1️⃣ - Lack of Career Focus. This is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for the military community - not knowing the job title they are pursuing. The goal should be to have 1-2 roles of focus, not a broad industry. Far too often individuals tell me they want to work in cybersecurity, or finance for example. However, to be a SOC analyst vs. a GRC professional requires different skills, a different network, and a different resume; the same for working in asset management vs. investment banking. Knowing which role you are pursuing allows you to target your networking, resume, training, and applications effectively and makes all the difference. 2️⃣ - Lack of an Industry-Specific Network. While not having a career focus is a killer, the lack of a network feeds directly into that. Not connecting with individuals who work in or recruit for your target role and not seeking industry-specific career plan, resume, and interview feedback is a HUGE detriment to a career search. Mentors can help translate experience, convey it effectively on a resume and in an interview, and make referrals and connections into a great role! There is good news though - there are amazing, free resources available to help you overcome both of these common issues. First, MilMentor. Through the always-free platform, you can schedule one-off calls with unlimited mentors across fields. So, after conducting your own research, you could easily speak with professionals in your potential roles of interest through the platform and narrow down the list. Additionally, those same professionals helping you explore careers can help with your resume, interview, career plan, and more - building your network along the way! Second, American Corporate Partners (ACP) can provide an amazing year-long corporate mentor, further building your network and providing you with a long term accountability partner to compliment one-off calls on MilMentor. Additionally, groups like the Project Management Institute, Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS), BSides, conferences and many more offer industry-targeted opportunities to network in person. In short - while upskilling and having a good resume are both important, your network is your built-in superpower as a member of the military community, take advantage of it and avoid common stumbling blocks.

People love to tell you: “𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁.” Cool. Reach out and say what? 🤷♂️ If you’re leaving the military (or changing careers), here’s a simple way to network on LinkedIn without asking for a job. Not “Can you hire me?” Not “Can you refer me?” Not “Can I pick your brain?” Your goal is: 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and earn the right to keep it going. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝟯-𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵: 1) Connection request (300 characters) Keep it specific, respectful, and low-pressure. 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: Hi [Name]. I’m leaving the the military this year into [field] and I’m learning from people doing the work. Your background in [specific thing] stood out. Open to connecting? 2) After they accept (the “no ask” message) This is where most people mess up. Don’t pitch. Don’t ask for time. 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: Appreciate the connect, [Name]. I’m not asking for a job, but trying to learn the landscape. What’s one skill, habit, or credential you’ve seen separate top performers in [role/industry]? 3) If they respond (go deeper, still no job ask) 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: That’s helpful, thank you. When you were hiring or working with someone new, what would make you say, “This person is ready”? Then: 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, apply what they said, and stay connected. Make sense? Look-- Here's what I've learned from 7+ years on this platform: Most people aren’t active on LinkedIn. So if you message 10 people and 3 respond… 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝟯 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲. Focus there. Build real relationships with the ones who 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦. Networking isn’t a volume game. It’s a 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲. So... If you’re transitioning or pivoting careers: What’s the hardest part of “reaching out” for you? 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝘆, 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, or 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀? P.S. You can send about 𝟮𝟬-𝟮𝟱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘆 on a free LinkedIn account. But it's best to spread them out to stay under the weekly limit of roughly 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀, as LinkedIn monitors for spam. Was this valuable? 💾 Save this for later (...) ♻️ Repost for your network. 🔖 Follow Matt Quick for more Military to Project Management advice. #QuickNote #Networking #MilitaryTransition

Here's the playbook I recommend for transitioning veterans (applicable for all job hunters) looking for their first job after the military 👇 1. OUTREACH PHASE ‣ Think of your network in concentric circles - schools, branch of service, other natural networks that you belong to ‣ Find folks on LinkedIn who sit at the intersection of multiple circles (for example, if I find someone from the Naval Academy, Wharton, and Marine Corps, that's a lot of overlap) ‣ Reach out to folks with a simple message asking to connect ‣ If you have interest in a specific industry, target folks in that industry "Hi X, I am a transitioning vet who is looking for my next opportunity. I'm also a USNA grad - would you have 30 minutes to connect so I can learn about your career in the coming days?" 2. CONNECT ON A CALL ‣ Prepare good questions ahead of time ‣ Gather intel - ask questions you can't google, ie - "What do you like and dislike about this career" ‣ Conclude the convo by asking who else you should connect with in their network AND if their company is hiring or if they know of opportunities you'd be a good fit for 3. RUTHLESS FOLLOW UP ‣ Follow up with your cold outreach a few times - do NOT feel awkward ‣ It's only annoying if you overdo it - it's perfectly reasonable to be persistent with your follow up 4. THANK YOU NOTES & UPDATES ‣ After a call, send an email thank you note. You wouldn't believe how many people skip this step ‣ Keep folks updated with your transition / job search - every 2-3 months is probably ideal. ‣ Create an email list and keep folks posted - be top of mind! 5. RINSE & REPEAT ‣ Do this a lot ‣ Like way more than you think - it might take 100s of calls. ‣ I talk to a lot of folks who think they've networked hard after 15 calls - try 150! 🖼 PHOTO CRED: In-person networking is great too! This shot is from a veterans in startups breakfast we hosted in LA last year - our events are at themilvet [dot] org/events -------------------------------- 👉 Transitioning vets are TERRIBLE about asking for help. Oftentimes we worry about being annoying to busy folks. ‣ People in the business world are more than capable of saying "No" to you if it's not a good time. ASK for help and to connect. It makes a world of difference, I promise! ‣ Leave your best advice for transitioning vets and networking in the comments below!

✨Recently laid off? Check out this inspiring story from my client. Job seekers navigating career transitions should consider two key strategies: Recommendations and Networking (I know, there is much more to the story; read on!). 🔻 First, update your LinkedIn profile, including exchanging recommendations with colleagues, managers, and external partners like vendors or customers. This effort yields significant benefits: • Recruiters value social proof from recommendations showcasing your leadership and communication skills. • It offers a prime networking opportunity—if approached strategically. H͟e͟r͟e͟’s͟ ͟a͟ ͟c͟a͟s͟e͟ ͟i͟n͟ ͟p͟o͟i͟n͟t͟:͟ I just finished a call with a client who had been preparing for a career change for about a year. Unexpectedly, she was laid off as part of a broader company downsizing. Fortunately, she was well-prepared and remained calm. She resumed an earlier task of requesting Zoom meetings and testimonials from her network. To her contacts’ surprise, they learned of her recent layoff. Now, she’s exploring several opportunities. Remarkably, one conversation revealed 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 (unwritten and unposted) job roles tailored to her expertise at an exciting company overseas. C͟o͟n͟s͟i͟d͟e͟r͟ ͟t͟h͟i͟s͟:͟ 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁—𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱—𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲. My client's proactive discussions have already positioned her for five potential jobs, some of which are still being defined. Next steps? We’re preparing to utilize my “write and pitch your own job description” technique when these companies express interest in crafting a role that leverages her skills to meet their needs. Isn’t that amazing? ✨ For more ideas about what to do to prepare for a layoff, here is a link to the Forbes Coaches Council article: 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝟭𝟮 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: https://lnkd.in/gpGf8jXs #jobs #careers #management

Dear Debbie, Everyone tells me I need to network to find ajob, but I’m an introvert.  Do I really need to network? If so, how do I do it? Networking Novice in Nashville Dear Networking Novice, I totally get it—networking can feel daunting. Throughout my science and technology policy career, I have hated evening receptions, dinners, and the numerous other events that are part of a Washington, DC, policy life. Yet, it's a key part of the job search puzzle and your long-term professional life. I still reach out to contacts I made at events years ago when I have a question. Think of networking as a way to gather insights and understand the job market better, rather than expecting immediate job opportunity identification or offers. It’s like planting seeds for future opportunities. Here’s how to start: 1. Define Your Purpose: Understand why you want to network. Are you looking to gain industry insights or clarify job roles? Do you want to determine if you’re a good match while considering pivoting to a new career path? 2. Craft Thoughtful Questions: Prepare questions like, "What does a typical day look like in your role?" or "What skills are essential for success in this field?" Also, ask how they see the job market for their field and gather suggestions on where to find jobs. 3. Identify Contacts: List 5 "warm" contacts you know and 5 "cold" contacts you don’t. This will help you build a diverse network. Put together a database to keep track. 4. Create a Reach-Out Plan: Write LinkedIn and email message templates to connect with these contacts. Start with warm contacts to gain confidence. Develop a brief profile, shorter than your resume, as background information for your emails and DMs. 5. Follow-Up: Don’t forget to thank the person who chatted with you and let them know where you eventually find employment.  Networking is a long-term effort, not a short-term one. Networking opens doors to hidden job markets and can even lead to mentorship. Remember, every conversation is a step forward. Ready to draft your first outreach message, Networking Novice in Nashville? Debbie