LinkedIn Networking Skills for Job Seekers

I spoke with over 20 software job seekers last month. Here's one of their most common frustrations: "I can never talk to a real person about my skills." Yet, all of them use online applications as their main strategy. Instead, they could be talking to "real people" in less than 2 weeks. Here's how you can do it in 6 steps: 1. Find a job posting that you're a great fit for. → Take note of the company that posted it. 2. On LinkedIn, search for your target role. → Head to "People" and filter by the hiring company. 3. Send 30 connection requests with personalized notes. → Most of them won't connect back. That's fine. 4. Study the profiles of those who connect back. → Look for things in common, or things you admire. 5. Message them a genuine compliment or question. → Don't request anything from them. 6. Ask for a quick conversation for their advice. → Don't ask for a referral, just to get their thoughts. On those conversations: • Be interested in them and listen to what they say. • Relate to them, ask questions, request their advice. • At some point, they'll reciprocate interest. • Now, talk about your job search. At the end, ask for introductions to someone else you can talk to. (NOT a referral.) Now, you're building relationships in the company you want to work at. The opportunities you're looking for are in these conversations. Not in online applications. P.S. Do you mainly apply online or network for interviews?

I’ve Applied to 150+ Jobs on LinkedIn—Here’s What’s Worked and What’s a Waste of Time I’ve been job hunting with various levels of intensity for the last nine months. Over 150 applications. Dozens of hours custom tailoring resumes and writing cover letters for each unique role and company. Here are my findings: 1.    Most of the jobs that I applied to on LinkedIn are fake: -Many roles I applied to were reposted after the initial posting.   -One job I really wanted, at one of the largest SaaS firms in the world has been up for 3+ years. 3 YEARS! 2.    No amount of custom tailoring your resume or cover letter will get you through HR’s resume screening process. 3.    Of the 150+ jobs I applied to as a cold applicant, I only received one callback. One. Not a great ROI on my time. 4.    This brings me to my ultimate conclusion- No one is going to get a job by only applying on LinkedIn. As a job seeker—this is infuriating.  It may feel like progress to “apply” to these roles, but deep down, you know 98% of them are ghost jobs. Here’s what I recommend job seekers do going forward. 1.     Network, Network Network -Job hunting is a job. Spend 2 hours a day networking to find your next opportunity. No exceptions. 2.    Use the “OpentoWork” sticker on LinkedIn -It felt REALLY scary to let the world know that I was looking for work, but I actually got one of my best interviews from just adding this update to LinkedIn. 3.    Never Search Alone -Use the networking guides Never Search Alone or The 2 Hour Job Search books to guide you through the process. Never Search Alone is a great way to have a support group while you go through the process. The 2 Hour Job Search provides frameworks and questions to ask as you network your way into the companies you want to work for-great reference for newbies who are new to networking for a job or for those who want to brush up their skills. 4.    Grow your network -You can connect with 100-200 people each week. Connect with people in industries and companies you’d like to work at. You’re going to have better luck following up on jobs that people post in their feeds than applying to listed postings. As for LinkedIn, please fix this – job seekers on your platform deserve better. Here’s a few recommendations on how to fix this process. ✅ Verified Job Listings – Companies should prove they're actively hiring before posting. No more ghost jobs! ✅ Expiration Dates – Auto-remove listings after 30 days unless employers confirm they’re still hiring. ✅ Transparency Metrics – Let job seekers see how many applicants have been interviewed or hired. If 11,456 people have applied to the same role, your users should know! ✅ User Feedback – Job seekers can flag suspicious postings. A role open for 3+ years? 🚩 ✅ Remove Offenders – Employers posting fake jobs should be restricted from posting for 12 months. For those who’ve recently been hired, what worked for you?  

This is what happens before you add networking to your skillset: You applied to 100+ jobs. No interviews. Maybe you spent hours creating your resume, added two projects to your portfolio and even wrote a cover letter. But every time you checked your inbox? Nothing but thin air. Not a single reply. At first, you assume it's your resume. So, you rewrite it. You apply again. Still no luck. Months pass. You take another course. You build another project. Still nothing. Now you’re wondering if switching careers was a mistake. "What is the problem?" My guess is that you're playing the job search in hard mode when you have beginner skills in this game. If there's one skill you must develop to become a master and start seeing results immediately, it's the ability to network. When you build the right network, this is how your job search changes: You never apply through job boards. The recruiter reaches out to you first. Your profile is optimized, hiring managers see your work, and people in the industry notice your name. Your job hunt becomes inbound, not outbound - meaning opportunities come to you. The goal of networking is simple: When a data role opens up, you're the first person the recruiter thinks of (because they've already seen your work and spoken to you). I speak about this inside of the Job Application Accelerator in detail, but here are three things you can do right now: Step 1: Fix Your LinkedIn Headline & Profile No -> "Aspiring Data Analyst | SQL | Python | Power BI" Yes -> "Data Analyst | I analyze large datasets to solve business problems | Experience with SQL, Tableau, Google Analytics | Marketing Business Intelligence" The goal is to write a job title that accurately reflects your experience and expertise rather than using a generic title. Step 2: Show Your Work (Publicly) Post one insight from every project you complete. No -> "I built a dashboard that showcases monthly sales" Yes -> "I cleaned 100,000 rows of messy sales data using SQL, and this is what I learned" Step 3: Connect & Start Conversations (The Right Way) I get multiple cold messages asking for jobs. That's a mistake. No -> "Hey Mo, can I get a job?" Yes -> "Hey Mo, I saw your post on [topic] and really liked your take, specifically [thing you liked]. I'm trying to get better at [skill]—do you have any resources you recommend?" Most people waste months applying online because they only focus on one side of the equation. But getting a job is much more than tailoring your resume or adding meaningful projects. Building relationships with other data professionals will lead to opportunities you can't find elsewhere. If you know someone struggling with job applications, send this to them. It might change their entire strategy.

Want to know the number one question I'm asked by job seekers? "What am I doing wrong?" They've applied to 70, 150, or 300+ roles and have yet to hear back. In this competitive job market, job seekers' biggest struggle is standing out from the crowd. Traditional "spray and pray" methods just don't cut it anymore. Here's how to break through: 1/ Leverage LinkedIn Like a Pro → Optimize your profile with keywords relevant to your desired role. → Engage with industry content daily to stay top of mind. → Post original content to showcase your expertise and insights. 2/ Create a Well-Crafted Targeted Resume → Tailor your resume for each job application. → Use action verbs and quantify achievements to stand out. → Ensure it's "review proof" by including keywords from the job description. 3/ Reach Out Directly to Recruiters/HR/Hiring Managers → Identify key contacts for the roles you’re interested in. → Send a concise message expressing your interest in the role. → Include 1-2 short bullets about how you could make an immediate impact. 4/ Ask for Introductions → Connect with industry peers and ask for referrals. → Leverage your network to get introductions to companies. → Highlight mutual connections when reaching out to hiring managers. 5/ Get Yourself Out of the Stack of “Easy Apply” Candidates → Apply through the company’s website to show extra effort. → Follow up with a personalized email or LinkedIn message after applying. → Attend industry events and career fairs to make in-person connections. Today's job market is about doing what others aren't willing to do. Find a way to separate from the stack of applicants. Don’t wait for opportunities to find you—create them through strategic online presence and direct outreach. What strategies have you found most effective in standing out during your job search?

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make? Waiting until they need a job to start networking. I see it all the time. Someone loses a job, dusts off their LinkedIn profile, and starts cold messaging people for leads. By then, it’s already an uphill battle. Here’s the truth: Networking isn’t always about asking for a job. It’s about building relationships before you need them. The best time to connect with recruiters, hiring managers, and others in your industry? Right now! Wherever you’re at in your career. ✔ Engage with posts from people in your field. ✔ Send connection requests with a genuine note. ✔ Share your own insights and show up consistently. Then, when you do need a new role, you won’t be reaching out to strangers! You’ll be tapping into a network that already knows you. As a recruiter, I spend a lot of time creating relationships with people that I may not have a job for today. But I’m always thinking about the kinds of jobs we typically fill and constantly reaching out to relevant candidates. I’d be really behind if I waited to create those relationships all at once when a new job comes out. The same goes for job seekers. If you wait until you need a job to start networking, you’re already playing catch-up. Start building those relationships now. Engage. Connect. Be visible. Because when the time comes, you want your network to think of you before you even have to ask. #recruitingengineers #networking #jobseeker #jobhunt

LinkedIn has brought me career opportunities and friendships I never could have predicted. Yes, I have a large following now. But I started at zero (just like everyone else). Here are 8 LinkedIn tips to help you land your dream job and build a strong network: 1. Post thematically (not randomly) LinkedIn rewards activity. Instead of posting whenever inspiration hits, choose themes your network expects from you: • Industry insights • Insider lessons from books or conferences • Personal projects • Inspiration • Advice or asks 2. Talk about your industry, not yourself Industry insight = authority. The frequently shared LinkedIn content (in no particular order): • How-to posts • Lists • Deep, neutral analysis Teach first. Reputation follows. 3. Be a strategic “liker” Likes are memory cues. When you intentionally like someone’s post, you: • Stay top of mind • Create an instant conversation starter later • Build relationship momentum without DM’ing 4. Your profile is not a résumé It’s a living signal of who you are and what you care about. LinkedIn favors complete profiles, yet nearly half of users leave sections blank. Those extra sections (courses, volunteering, boards) make you more searchable and more human. Incomplete profile = invisible profile. 5. Kill buzzwords (they blur you) Words like strategic, passionate, expert are everywhere. Replace them with language you’d actually say out loud: • “Strategic” → decisive, judicious • “Experienced” → seasoned, practiced • “Leader” → guided, directed Your vocabulary is part of your brand. 6. Be an “adder,” not a commenter Comments aren’t for agreeing, but for adding value. Great comments: • Expand an idea • Share a relevant example • Offer gratitude or context If you want to impress someone, help their post become smarter. 7. Send smart connection requests Never send a blank request. Always answer: • How do I know them? • Why this person? • What’s in it for them? 8. Optimize for your audience Your profile shouldn’t appeal to everyone. Ask: Who do I need to succeed? • Freelancers → clients • Climbers → leaders • Switchers → future industry peers • Speak directly to them. 9. Network after you connect Connections decay without touchpoints. Once a month is enough: • Congratulate promotions • Share relevant info • Make an intro • Invite for coffee when traveling Consistency beats intensity. 10. Use “People Also Viewed” This section tells you: • Who LinkedIn thinks you are • Who you’re being compared to • Who you might be missing If you don’t like the comparison, adjust your language and connections. You don’t need to do all 10. Start with 1-2 and let the momentum compound. What’s one LinkedIn change you’ll make this week?

Hey everyone! I'm excited to share some networking tips that were incredibly helpful during my job search. These strategies helped me navigate the interview process and land a role as a Program Manager at Google. Whether you're breaking into tech, switching careers, or just want to build your network, I hope these tips help you too! Tip 1: Targeted LinkedIn Research Before my interviews at Meta, Uber, and Google, I used LinkedIn to find people who were already in the roles I was targeting. I looked for Program Managers with similar years of experience, as their interview process was likely to be similar to mine. I also searched for alumni from my university (University of Houston - Go Coogs!), as this provided an easier "in" for starting a conversation. Tip 2: Clear and Concise Outreach When reaching out, I always stated that I was interested in [insert job title] roles at their company and requested a 20-minute coffee chat to discuss: - The interview process - Primary skills needed for the role - What success looks like in that position Including specific questions in my initial message dramatically increased my response rate. This approach made it clear to both parties what we would discuss, making efficient use of everyone's time. Tip 3: Focus on Building Relationships While referrals can be helpful, I recommend not asking for them from people you haven't worked with or who haven't seen your work firsthand. I found more long-term value in building genuine relationships through conversations and learning from their experiences. Tip 4: Leverage Diverse Perspectives Meeting with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, provided invaluable insights that helped me shape my resume, LinkedIn profile, and interview responses. For example, during one conversation, I learned that one of the companies valued a "scrappy" approach. I highlighted relevant project examples in my interview and received great feedback. I hope these tips help you in your own networking journey. Remember, building genuine connections and seeking diverse perspectives can make all the difference in your job search. Good luck! #networking #techcareers #jobsearch #interviewtips #careeradvice

I’ve helped 1,000+ people land their dream jobs in the last 3 years. Here are the strategies that worked for them: 1️⃣ Treat Your Job Hunt Like a Job in Itself: - Most people desperately need a job, but they don’t treat job hunting seriously. - Schedule time daily for job searching, networking, and following up. Use Google calendar for this. - Research companies and tailor your resume for each role. Follow up consistently—persistence pays off! 2️⃣ Network Before You Need a Job - Networking isn’t just for when you're jobless—it’s an ongoing investment. - Engage with professionals on LinkedIn through comments and DMs. - Connect with people in your target companies before you need a referral. Here is a plan you can follow: Send 5 connection requests every day. Comment on 10 posts every day. Create a post about your learnings per week. 3️⃣ Master the Art of Cold Emails Cold emails can open doors to opportunities you never even knew existed. Make it a habit to: - Reach out to at least 3 new people daily. - Personalize your message—explain why you’re a great fit (skills, experience, proof of work). - Use tools like Apollo, EasyLeadz, or RocketReach to find emails. 4️⃣ Tap Into Your Existing Network Your next job might come from your college alumni or ex-colleagues. Search for your target company on LinkedIn > Find people you’re already connected with (alum or colleagues) > Ask for an intro it works most of the time! 5️⃣ Prepare Like a Pro Getting an interview call is only half the battle. Research the company, common questions, and past interview experiences. Practice mock interviews (with a friend or ChatGPT). Prepare answers for questions like: ✅ "Tell me about yourself" ✅ "How would you improve X product?" ✅ "How do you handle stakeholder challenges?" Remember: "If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail." 6️⃣ Deserve What You Desire - You can’t just wish for a job—you have to earn it. - Acquire the right skills through courses, projects, or mentorship. - Talk to people in your target roles to understand what they actually do. - Build proof of work (side projects, blogs, open-source contributions). Most importantly—be genuinely passionate about what you do. After all, you’ll spend your most valuable time and energy on it. P.S. I am on a mission to help people get their dream jobs in product management. If you are PM or aspiring PM looking for your next role, do send me a message or comment below, I will send you curated resources to help you get your next PM role! Best of luck.

One of the most common questions I hear from job seekers is, "How do I stand out in the application process?" 🤔 And, I get it. In a world where 'Easy Apply' is used by everybody and their brother, resumes and cover letters are looking one and the same, and positions are highly competitive, it's important to set yourself apart from other applicants. Most of the time, I see job seekers wanting to set themselves apart in their application materials. But, truthfully, I don't think this is the way to go (at least, not fully) 😶 Especially not when... ➡ Employee referrals are 4x more likely to be hired ➡ Roughly 80% of job openings are NEVER advertised ➡ Nearly 80% of jobs are filled through networking efforts Yes, your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile are important. These materials need to highlight your skills, achievements, personal brand, and character. But, people = jobs 💼 If you want to approach your job search proactively and with the right mindset, you might want to... ✅ Identify alumni, current employees, and hiring managers to network with. Get industry advice on your career materials, information about application processes, and referrals if the opportunity is a good fit. ✅ Spend less time on volume of applications and more time on quality of applications. Every application you submit should have a person 'attached' to it in some way (you know someone on the hiring team, you met a future colleague at a networking event, etc.). ✅ Prepare samples of your work to share. Showing an example of your work and skillset in an interview, networking call, or cold outreach message goes a long way. Whether that means pulling up your LinkedIn profile to show some of your Featured items or toggling over to your GitHub, examples demonstrate more than words! I share more insights on the hashtag #JobSearch in my recent TikTok 💼 Check it out below! https://lnkd.in/ggfQytUV

Getting my role at #microsoft right after my MBA from Seattle University was a journey fueled by networking, and along the way, I've noticed common errors that many encounter. Most of us make the same networking mistakes, hindering our chances of securing employment. I'm here to shed light on these stumbling blocks and provide actionable solutions. Sharing 4 key issues holding you back from getting hired and, most importantly, how to overcome them. 1. Lack of Networking Strategy: Many individuals fail to have a clear networking strategy in place, resulting in aimless connections and missed opportunities. To overcome this, start by defining your goals, identifying target industries or companies, and actively engaging with professionals in your field through platforms like LinkedIn. Networking with purpose increases your chances of meaningful connections and job opportunities. 2. Ineffective Resume: Your resumes are often the first impression you make on potential employers. If they are generic or poorly crafted, they may fail to capture attention. To address this, tailor your resume highlighting relevant skills and experiences that align with the job requirements. Consider seeking feedback from mentors or career advisors to ensure your documents stand out. 3. Limited Online Presence: In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for job seekers. A lack of professional visibility on platforms like LinkedIn can hinder your chances of being discovered by recruiters. To combat this, optimize your LinkedIn profile with a professional photo, compelling headline, and detailed work experience. Share relevant content, engage with industry peers, and actively participate in discussions to showcase your expertise and expand your network. 4. Poor Interview Preparation: Nervousness and lack of preparation often lead to subpar performance during interviews. To overcome this hurdle, thoroughly research the company and role you are applying for, practice common interview questions, and prepare thoughtful responses that highlight your skills and experiences. Additionally, consider conducting mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence and refine your communication skills. By addressing these key issues and implementing effective strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of getting hired and advancing in your career journey. Let's navigate the world of networking together and pave the way towards success! #CareerTips #Networking #LinkedInInsights #JobSearchSuccess