Approaching 300 Candidates for Together We Succeed: Lessons Learned from the Journey

As the founder of Together We Succeed, my journey over the past few months has been more than just about the platform —it’s been about building a community, discovering talent, and understanding the diverse aspirations of young people. As we approach 300 candidates on the platform there has been moments of success, there were also plenty of challenges that tested my resolve and perspective.

Here’s what the experience taught me as a founder looking to foster connections and make a meaningful impact.

Building Relationships, Not Just Pipelines

Unlike a typical recruitment process, my aim was to go beyond just filling roles. I wanted to connect with young, passionate individuals who might benefit from the Together We Succeed platform. Each outreach wasn’t just about presenting an opportunity; it was an invitation to join a broader mission of growth and empowerment.

A lot of candidates expressed gratitude for the approach and were genuinely interested in learning more about how they could join the platform.

Facing the Challenges of Scale

However, as we approach 300 candidates it has come with its fair share of hurdles. The initial enthusiasm began to wane as I started hitting walls—candidates who didn’t respond, profiles that looked promising but weren’t interested, and messages that didn’t quite land the way I had hoped to both employers and candidates.

Juggling multiple conversations at once was overwhelming, and I quickly realised that scaling personal interactions while maintaining quality is no easy feat. I had to take a step back, refine my approach, and prioritise quality over quantity.

Success Stories and Heartfelt Connections

One of the biggest highlights was connecting with individuals who saw our mission as a perfect fit for their career journey.

Early on during the Together We Succeed platform we had a few successes with a few candidates securing opportunities in Finance, Business, PR and even finance.

There were the moments that reminded me why I started this organisation in the first place: to create real, tangible opportunities for people, while building a supportive network of changemakers that were interested in hiring diverse and untapped talent.

Learning from the Rejections

Naturally, not everyone I reached out to was interested. Some declined politely and others didn’t respond at all. Rejections are part of the process, but I saw them as learning opportunities. Each “no” was a chance to re-evaluate my approach and understand the mindset of our potential candidates and employers better.

Was I communicating the value of our platform effectively? Was there something missing in our offering? These rejections pushed me to go back to the drawing board, refine our message, and ensure that what we were offering truly aligned with the needs and aspirations of our target audience.

Key Takeaways for Founders Reaching Out on LinkedIn

1. Stay Mission-Driven: It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, but remember why you’re reaching out in the first place. Every interaction should reflect the core mission of your organisation.
2. Authenticity Over Automation: LinkedIn outreach at scale can tempt you to automate, but authenticity is what cuts through the noise. Personalise your approach, even if it means slower progress.
3. Learn from Every Interaction: Whether it’s a rejection or a success, every interaction provides insights. Use these learnings to continuously refine your messaging and strategy.
4. Balance Persistence with Respect: Follow-ups are crucial, but knowing when to back off is just as important. The goal is to engage, not overwhelm.
5. Embrace Flexibility: Be open to conversations that might not lead to immediate results but can pave the way for future collaborations or partnerships.

Looking Forward: Scaling Thoughtfully

As I move forward, I’m more focused on building sustainable connections rather than simply reaching numbers. The experience of approaching 300 candidates has shown me that true impact isn’t measured in outreach figures but in the strength of the relationships formed.

For any fellow founders looking to engage talent or partners on LinkedIn, my advice is simple: stay patient, stay true to your mission, and be willing to adapt. The right connections will come, and when they do, they’ll make all the effort worthwhile.

Let’s continue to connect, share, and support each other’s growth on this platform. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to discuss your own experiences or learn more about Together We Succeed. After all, we’re all in this together.

togetherwesucceed.co.uk