Networking 2: Leverage LinkedIn to Build a Meaningful Network
LinkedIn indeed stands out as an invaluable tool for connecting with professionals in industries or roles of interest. Understanding how to use the tool to your advantage is easy.
Click on “My Network” on the top menu and then select “Connections”
2. Click “Search with Filters” on the left top side
3. Select “All Filters”
4. Choose filtering criteria “Company”, ”School” and “Industry”” are some of the most common search criteria used
Once you’ve selected your search criteria, LinkedIn allows you to filter results to find the most relevant connections.
For recent graduates, narrowing down your search by University and targeting individuals from your desired companies is an effective strategy. Ensure that your search settings include not only 1st connections but also extend to 2nd and 3rd connections to broaden your outreach. This will ensure that people that you don’t know directly still show up.
When reaching out to professionals at a company, aim to connect with at least one person from the team that is hiring. This approach has several benefits; connecting with a team member provides insights into the role, cultural fit, and valuable advice on the interview process. Additionally, mentioning that you connected with this team member can work in your favor during the interview.
It is also advised to connect with the hiring manager this can expedite the interview process or offer an opportunity to make a positive first impression in a less formal setting. When you meet with the manager you should share you interests and be honest with what you are looking for in your next role. I’ve interviewed for roles specifically created for me by employing this approach and discussing my interests with the hiring manager.
It is usually not helpful to meet with the talent acquisition (TA) team via LinkedIn. Typically, the TA team is swamped with interviews and emails, making it unlikely for them to respond or engage in networking conversations. Depending on the side of the company they may also will not have in-depth information on the role or team culture
The next step is understanding how to connect with someone you are interested in messaging. If you have a mutual connection with the person you are interested in connecting with, they can help introduce you. A concise message could look like this:
“Hi [ Name]
I hope you are doing well. I saw you are connected with [Name] at [Company]. I am interested in learning more about a role they have open. Would you be able to introduce me to them?
Best,
[Name]”
This message is short and gets to the point. Often times, I see people write lengthy messages due to nervousness or trying to sound polite. The truth is that no one wants to read it; if it has more than a few lines they will disregard the message. Of course, if this is a very close friend or someone you used to be close with, use your best judgment on how to draft the message but conciseness is key.
Below, I have included message templates for people you don’t know and don’t have a mutual connection with.
Template 1: Interested in being considered for the role
“Hi [Name]
I saw that [Company] is currently hiring a [role]. I believe that I could be a great fit given my experience in [insert one line on experience]. I would love to hear more about your experience at [Company] and tell you a bit about myself!
Best,
[Name]”
Template 2: Interest in the industry
“Hi [Name]
I am extremely passionate about [blank] and stumbled upon [company name]. I would love to connect with you to hear about the interesting work [company] is doing.
Best,
[Name]”
Template 3: Get to know the hiring manager
“Hi [Name]
I saw that [team name] is currently hiring a [role]. I would love to hear about your vision for the team and the exciting things happening at [company]
Best,
[Name]”
It can be daunting to reach out to people you don’t know. I know these messages are very short, but trust me, they work. In the next article, we will cover how to manage rejection and build a relationship.
