Activate You Network

How to Ask Your Network for Help With Your Job Search

Have you ever thought about the potential of your network in unlocking your next career opportunity? Discover how to leverage your current connections and uncover your next career path.

Before we dive in, I want to dispel the notion that you don't have a network. EVERYONE has a network. We all have networks; we simply haven't taken the time to identify them yet, nurture them and grow them so that they are always working for us.

So, before we explore how to reach out to your network for assistance, let's take a few steps to uncover where some valuable individuals might be hiding within your professional web.

How to Unlock Your Secret Network 

Allow me to kick off this guidance by sharing a piece of advice that I find myself giving almost every day. If you're embarking on a job search with the sole goal of finding the elusive "dream job," I strongly recommend abandoning that mindset. Instead, my suggestion is to pinpoint a "dream company" or a handful of ideal companies, and then strategically work your way backward to build your networking efforts around them.

Use The Power of LinkedIn

It should come as no surprise that I am going to suggest that you utilize LinkedIn as a valuable tool in your job search. Unlike platforms intended for sharing cat memes (I have absolutely no issue with cat memes) or reconnecting with distant relatives, LinkedIn offers unique advantages.

LinkedIn serves as an exceptional resource for identifying individuals currently or previously affiliated with a specific company. Let's say your dream company is Google; by conducting a search on LinkedIn, you may be pleasantly surprised to discover that your best friend's sister is employed there. Additionally, you might come across even closer connections who have had prior experience with the company. These connections can prove invaluable for setting up informational interviews or casual conversations to gain insights into what it's truly like to work at the company.

Connect on Social Media

Building connections is a strategic endeavor that requires a long-term perspective. The job search can be a time-consuming journey, but your career is a continuously evolving entity. That's why it's crucial to connect with your own personal "dream team" as soon as possible.

Depending on your industry, you can establish connections with influential thought leaders through platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, or even Instagram. However, it's important to avoid immediately reaching out with an ask or favor.

1. Focus on nurturing an e-relationship.
2. Engage with their content by liking their posts, retweeting their insightful articles, and sharing their most impactful LinkedIn posts related to the industry.
3. Actively participate in online conversations, to cultivate a meaningful connection over time.

Ready, Set, Reach Out

Now it's time to unleash the power of your network. To effectively tap into its potential, you'll need to reach out through various channels—email, phone, and if feasible, in-person interactions are ideal.

Coffee dates can work wonders in this regard. Invite relevant contacts for a casual meeting over a refreshing cold brew, allowing you to delve into their career journey without causing significant disruptions.

Remember to express your gratitude by sending a thoughtful thank-you email afterward—consider it a crucial step you shouldn't skip.

Here’s an example:

The objective here is to remain on her radar while subtly exploring the possibility of a job referral. By not directly requesting a job, your email will come across as proactive in your job search.

Another effective approach to leveraging your network involves reaching out when you have a specific job in mind that you seek a referral for. In such cases, I recommend utilizing the following email template as an example:

Regardless of the situation you find yourself in, I always recommend asking your network to help with your job search via email—or LinkedIn message—because it gives them the opportunity to give your request some thought without being put on the spot. It also gives you the time to put together an elegant response.

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