Strategies for Networking on LinkedIn as an Engineer

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗠 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿. 𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸. That it was only for extroverts, salespeople, or those who knew the “right” people. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The truth? LinkedIn changed my career more than any job board ever could. From landing internships to publishing research and breaking into power & energy, the biggest opportunities in my career didn’t come from job boards—they came from building the right connections. Yet, so many professionals hesitate to network strategically because they: * Feel awkward reaching out to strangers * Don’t know what to say in a cold DM * Fear getting ignored or rejected I get it—I used to be the same way. But once I started using LinkedIn the right way, I landed mentors, internships, and research opportunities that shaped my entire career. Here’s How You Can Do It Today: ✅ 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 * Look for professionals in your target field (engineers, hiring managers, senior leaders). * Use LinkedIn’s “People Also Viewed” section to find similar profiles. * Join industry groups to see who’s actively sharing insights. ✅ 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 Forget “Hi, can I pick your brain?” That doesn’t work. Instead, try this: 💡 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗠 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: “Hi [Name], I came across your profile while learning about [topic]. I admire your work on [specific project]. I’d love to hear your thoughts on [question]. Would you be open to a quick chat?” ✅ 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗗𝗠 * Like and comment on their posts genuinely * Share their work and add your insights * Make your name familiar before sending a message ✅ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 People respond better when you bring something to the table: * Share an article or resource relevant to their work * Offer a fresh perspective on one of their posts * Ask a specific, thoughtful question instead of just “Can you help me?” The Outcome: I’ve used this exact strategy to build meaningful relationships that led to: ✔ Internship opportunities before I even applied ✔ Research collaborations that boosted my career ✔ Insights from industry leaders that I couldn’t find anywhere else If you’re not leveraging LinkedIn for strategic networking, you’re leaving opportunities on the table. 💡 Try this today: Pick ONE person you admire, craft a thoughtful DM, and hit send

"I hate networking." I hear this all the time. And I get it. The idea of walking up to strangers at events, making small talk, and asking for favors feels forced and uncomfortable. But here's the truth: networking doesn't have to feel like networking. Here's how to build genuine connections without being awkward: Start with warm connections. Don't cold message strangers on LinkedIn. Start with: → Former colleagues → Alumni from your school → Mutual contacts who can introduce you → People you've worked with before These conversations are easier because there's already a foundation. Lead with offering value, not asking for favors. Don't start with: "Can you help me find a job?" Start with: "I saw your post about [topic] and thought you might find this article interesting." Or: "Congratulations on your new role! I'd love to hear how it's going." Give first. Ask later. Use LinkedIn to build relationships before asking for anything. Don't send a connection request and immediately ask for something. Instead: → Engage with their posts (thoughtful comments, not just "Great post!") → Share their content when it's relevant → Send a message just to catch up, no agenda Build the relationship over time. When you do reach out, make it easy for them. Don't say: "Can I pick your brain?" Say: "I'd love to hear about your experience at [Company]. Would you be open to a 20-minute coffee chat? I'm happy to work around your schedule." Be specific about what you're asking for and respect their time. Schedule "informational coffee chats" instead of calling it networking. Reframe it in your mind. You're not networking. You're: → Learning from someone's experience → Having a conversation about your industry → Building a relationship with someone interesting Take the pressure off yourself. Follow up and stay in touch; don't just reach out when you need something. After the conversation: → Send a thank you note within 24 hours → Share an article or resource they might find useful → Check in every few months (congratulate them on wins, share updates) Stay on their radar in a genuine way. The best networking doesn't feel transactional. It feels like building real relationships with people you respect. And those relationships? They're the ones that actually lead to opportunities. Save this post so you're ready to network without the awkwardness.

A software engineer I coach told me recently: “I’ve shipped code that runs in a global tech company. But on LinkedIn, I feel invisible.” When I asked, “Do recruiters reach out to you?” The answer was no. He had 300 connections, a bare profile, and no posts. Meanwhile, equally skilled peers were landing interviews because their presence spoke for them. 👉 In 2025, your LinkedIn is often your first interview. In ANZ, hiring managers check it before your CV. If it’s blank, you’ve already lost valuable ground. Here’s how to start (without feeling like an influencer): 1. Define your audience. Don’t post for “everyone.” If you’re in engineering, product, or data, your audience is hiring managers, tech leads, and peers in your craft. 2. Build daily (weekly or even monthly) micro-visibility (15 minutes). - Connect with 1–2 relevant people (e.g. heads of engineering, PMs). - Leave 2–3 thoughtful comments. (Tip: instead of “Great post,” try: “We tried this at X but hit Y challenge — curious if others saw that too?”) 3. Post one breadcrumb of expertise each week (or month). You don’t need polish. Try prompts like: “One thing I learned debugging [tool] this week…” “A mistake I made with [framework] and what I’ll do differently…” “The best question I got from a teammate and how I answered it…” This isn’t bragging. It’s documenting. And recruiters aren’t scanning for influencers, they’re looking for proof of how you think, solve problems, and work with others. Here’s the recruiter truth: when I scan profiles, skills alone aren’t always enough. Some signals rarely show up on a CV. They show up in breadcrumbs, recent posts, thoughtful comments, or evidence you’re engaging with your craft. ↳ Are you sharing what you’re working on? ↳ Are you contributing to conversations in your field? ↳ Are you leaving proof that you’re still learning and growing? Those tiny signals give me confidence. They tell me you’re not just qualified, you’re active, relevant, and someone worth talking to. Takeaway: Your LinkedIn isn’t just a CV. It’s an active portfolio that works for you while you sleep. Start small. Show up weekly. Build trust before the interview even starts. If you’ve felt invisible online, test one of the prompts above this week. And if you want more recruiter-side insights from inside the ANZ tech hiring market, hit Follow. I share them here every week.

Feeling like your resume is going into a black hole? 🕳️ Dont just apply! Connect! 🤝 Your network = Your net worth 💰 ☑️ Networking isn’t just who you know. It’s how you approach them. The hidden job market accounts for up to 80% of all hires. Your resume can only go so far. The key is personalized communication. How do I know networking works? I see 100s of clients over the course of a year getting what they need through “people power”. 💪 🟣 In August, a recent grad was struggling to get interviews at a top tech company. He sent a personalized note to a recruiter, referencing a specific company blog post and asking for advice on his portfolio. 👍 He landed an informational interview and, a week later, a formal interview for an open role. ➡️ In Jan. of this year, a senior marketing manager was laid off and felt her network had gone cold. Instead of asking for a job, she re-engaged by sharing industry articles and offering to connect people. 👍 A former colleague later introduced her to a hiring manager for an unposted role. 🟢 In May, a software engineer wanted to work at a specific company with no openings. She found a senior engineer on the team (on LinkedIn) and sent a direct message, asking a specific technical question about a project. 👍 This led to a brief but insightful conversation that impressed the senior engineer, who then referred her for a newly created position. ❇️ This is where AI can be your most powerful tool. ChatGPT isn’t a magic bullet; you have to give it the right information. Here’s how you can use ChatGPT to create a better message: 1. Upload your resume and the job description. 2. Paste in the LinkedIn profile of your contact. 3. Give it specific instructions, like: "Act as a career coach. Write three options for a personalized networking message. The tone should be professional and concise. Reference something from their profile to show I did my research." 🔴 This method ensures your message is unique and far more likely to get a response. Stop sending generic messages. The job you want is likely just a conversation away. 🟦 🟦 🟦 🟦 🟦 🟦 🟦 🟦 🟦 🟦 ♻️ Was this helpful? Repost and pay it forward. Let’s help each other get hired! #jobsearchtips #networking #resumetips #careeradvice #opentowork

A senior cloud architect sent me a connection request last week with this message: "I'm interested in roles at AWS. Do you have any openings that fit my background?" No context. No relationship.  And no research into the roles I might work on. I see versions of this 30–40 times a week. And I know the intent is good — people are trying to follow the advice they're given: "Network to land your next role." The problem? Most people are confusing outreach with networking. After a decade in technical recruiting, I've noticed a clear pattern: The people who land roles faster aren't sending more DMs. They've built visibility before they ever hit send. Here's what commonly shows up in my inbox: "I recently interviewed — can you follow up?" "Do you have 15 minutes for a coffee chat?" "I'm seeking a Solutions Architect role." People are taking action. That's not the issue. The issue is that recruiters and hiring managers get dozens of these messages daily — all from people they don't know. At that volume, it's almost impossible to know how to help. At the senior level, transactional networking rarely turns into opportunity. Sound familiar? So what does strategic networking actually look like? It's less about who you message — and more about who already recognizes your name when you do. Here are five true networking approaches I’d recommend to senior-level tech professionals: 1️⃣ Engage in tech-specific LinkedIn groups  This creates one-to-many visibility. Hiring managers and recruiters are often in the same spaces — credibility builds through contribution. 2️⃣ Comment meaningfully on posts from leaders in your space  Skip "Great post." Add perspective based on experience. Do this consistently and your name starts showing up in the right feeds. 3️⃣ Share insights from your own work  You don't need thought-leadership essays. A poll about a challenge you're navigating. A short reflection on a lesson learned. Even adding your take to someone else's post. The goal is visibility, not virality. 4️⃣ Write recommendations for former teammates  In addition to helping a teammate out, your name will appear on their profile. This is passive visibility that compounds. 5️⃣ Engage with hiring managers before messaging them  Comment on what they share. When you eventually reach out, you're not a stranger — you're familiar. I've seen this shift change the trajectory of job searches. Not because someone's resume suddenly improved — but because the right people already knew who they were before a role opened. 👉 Which of these five are you already doing or planning to start? Drop the number below. And if someone in your network is in search mode, feel free to share this with them.

How to Build Real Connections on LinkedIn 🌐 After over 100 LinkedIn conversations, here’s my best advice for building real, impactful connections. Whether you're seeking advice, insights, or just expanding your network, these steps can help you create relationships that go beyond the virtual. 1. Approach with Gratitude, Not Transactions 🤝     Reach out with a sincere, open attitude—show appreciation for their time and insights, not just what they can offer. 2. Skip the Big Asks 🚫     Rather than requesting mentorship or direct help, start by asking for advice or insights. It’s a respectful way to gain value without overwhelming them. 3. Do Your Research 🔍     A quick read of their LinkedIn profile can help you have an informed conversation. Reference their work, ask specific questions, and show that you value their experience. 4. Show Genuine Interest 🌟     Focus on them and their journey—show that you're genuinely interested in who they are, not just what they can do. 5. Respect the Clock ⏳     Time is valuable. If you say you need 15 minutes, stick to it. This respect for time builds trust and shows you’re serious. 6. Follow Up Matters 📧     A thank-you message and periodic check-ins go a long way. People appreciate thoughtful follow-up, and it keeps the relationship alive. 7. Offer to Help First 💡     Ask yourself, “How can I help them?” Maybe you can share an article, connect them to someone in your network, or support their work. 8. Empathy & Listening 🎧     Every good conversation includes empathy and active listening. People remember those who truly listen and understand their perspective. Meaningful connections don’t happen overnight. Build trust, stay genuine, and let the relationship grow organically. Your network is your greatest asset—nurture it thoughtfully! 👋 I’m Sandra Park, a financial coach helping women in STEM engineer her path to financial freedom 💸

Stop hitting “accept” on every random request. Here’s how to actually build a network that works for you: 1. Get your profile right - Professional photo (non-negotiable) - Headline that catches attention - Experience section filled out properly - Keywords that make you easy to find 2. Be smart with connections - Start with people you know - Add industry peers with intent - Personalise your requests - Follow up with people you meet offline - Share your profile beyond LinkedIn 3. Join and engage in groups - Pick the ones that matter in your industry - Take part in discussions - Connect with people who share your interests - Use them to stay ahead of trends 4. Share content that actually lands - Post insights people can use - Keep your posts engaging (halio.ai helps) - Track what works - Double down on quality over quantity 5. Stay active - Comment and add to conversations - Support your network - Be genuinely helpful - Show up consistently Strong networks aren’t built on shortcuts. They’re built on intent, value, and real connection.

The “Easy Apply” button on LinkedIn is a graveyard of applications. And sending a generic “just checking in” DM to a recruiter is just digging the hole deeper. Most people do something Very few do the right thing For a single role: ↣1,000+ people click Apply ↣ ~10% send a LinkedIn DM ↣ <1% send a proper follow-up email ↣ ~0.01% follow up twice and do it well Those 0.01% are the ones recruiters remember. Here’s a simple framework to network with hiring teams without sounding needy, while still making your case. Step 1: Apply first. Always. Never reach out without applying. Your message should reference a specific role and application. Generic: “Hi, I’m exploring opportunities.” Good: “I applied for the Supply Chain Intern role last week and wanted to briefly follow up.” Step 2: Reach the right person Don’t message random engineers. Don’t message generic HR inboxes. Find one of these: ↣ Recruiter tied to the role ↣ Hiring manager ↣ Team member from the same function Step 3: Your first message should do only ONE thing Your goal is not to sell yourself. Your goal is to earn a reply. Structure: ↣ One line of context ↣ One line of relevance ↣ One clear ask Example: “Hi [Name], I met your team at the career fair and applied for the Supply Chain Intern role. I have prior experience working on demand planning tools used in your org. Would you be open to forwarding my profile to the hiring team if relevant?” Short. Calm. Specific. Step 4: Follow up more than once This is where most people quit too early. One message is invisible. Two messages is polite. Three to five messages is persistence. Follow up every 7 to 10 days. Same thread. Same tone. Step 5: Let consistency do the work The people who win: • Start applying months early • Get comfortable with rejection • Iterate resumes quietly • Keep following up without emotion They trust the process, not the dopamine of instant replies. Job hunting is not about being aggressive. It’s about being visible without being annoying. The difference between silence and an interview is often just one well-timed follow-up. If you’re job hunting right now, especially on a visa clock, stop doing more pray and spray applications. Start doing better follow-ups. Save this. You’ll need it. — P.S: Every week, I share insights like this in my job hunting community with over 4100+ people. If you want to get hired in the next 3 months, join Yudi J academy: https://lnkd.in/gWWZJDEf We’ve got modules on everything: - Networking, resume, job strategy - focus sessions with the community - live sessions with Hiring Managers - guest sessions with recruiters and immigration lawyers

People with no experience aiming for a job in Q1 2026. This is the LinkedIn + networking checklist you need if you want results. Trust me, this duo is powerful. Your LinkedIn profile is not a bio. It’s a landing page. 1. Headline = role you want + value you’re building Not “Open to work.” Example: Aspiring Data Analyst | SQL, Excel, Tableau | Building real projects weekly. 2. Banner that tells a story What you’re learning. What you’re building. Who you want to work with. Most people leave this empty. That’s a missed signal. 3. About section = your career narrative What you’re transitioning into. Why you chose it. What you’re doing right now to earn it. Keep it human. Keep it specific. 4. Experience section without experience List projects, certifications, labs, freelance work, volunteering. Recruiters care about evidence, not job titles. 5. Activity matters Comment daily on posts from people in your target role or company. Visibility beats cold applications. Networking strategy that actually works 1. Start with warm proximity Alumni. Same city. Same background. Same transition. Similarity increases replies. 2. Message for insight, not referrals Bad: “Are you hiring?” Better: “I’m trying to break into X. What would you focus on if you were starting today?” 3. Follow up like a professional One polite follow-up after 5–7 days. No pressure. No guilt. Just consistency. 4. Track conversations If you don’t remember who you spoke to and why, you’re networking randomly. 5. Give before you ask Share an article. Congratulate a win. Thank people publicly. Reputation compounds. No experience doesn’t block you. An empty profile and no networking system does. Build both now, and let’s get you a job. Help me share this post, and let’s help others land roles.