400+ applications. 60+ interviews. 7 offers.

ALL my offers were from cold applications.

My first, second, third industry jobs? Cold applications.

The Myth of Networking

About a year ago, the "networking" misinformation started to spread like wildfire on LinkedIn:

🤨 "90% of PhDs landed their jobs through a networking connection."

🤨 "You need a referral to get an interview."

🤨 "Content and personal branding get you your first interview, not your resume."

Aside from "You need to beat the ATS", "Your job will come from networking" is the second largest myth that makes my blood boil.

If you randomly sample PhDs and ask how they received their first job offer, you will find the majority have done so through cold applications.

Networking can be the cherry on top, but it's not mandatory. In fact, it's not how most people (PhDs and non-PhDs alike) got their offers.

The majority of your time during a job search should be spent targeting your focus on the right job openings, finessing your resume, practicing interviews, practicing interviews... did I say practicing interviews?

Your time should not be spent begging and waiting for referrals, berating yourself for why networking hasn't led you to an interview or offer. This is like buying a lottery ticket and waiting for it to pay off while suffering massive opportunity costs.

When Does Networking Work?

Networking relies on a trust-based system.

A network needs to be selective, differentiating, and contained. A network that puts you in front of the line is, by its own nature, exclusive.

If Anna, Hannah, Nanna, Banana, and everyone else can get a job through "networking", it defeats its very purpose.

That said, when networking works, it works like magic. It turbocharges your job search and saves you months of agony in cold application hell.

But when does networking work?

Your Later Jobs Will Come From Networking

The higher you climb the corporate ladder, the more networking matters.

When you're a Staff Researcher or VP of Product, your jobs will come almost exclusively from your network.

At this level, everyone knows everyone. Your skill is rare. Your experience is coveted. Companies vie for your talent. You have a lot of leverage during a salary negotiation. This is also why you see certain VPs "trade" places at Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc.

The above is not true, however, for your first industry job. Entry/mid-level positions are a lot more standardized. The competition pool is wide. Most recruiters and hiring managers expect cold applications. Even if you have nabbed a referral, it doesn't carry much weight.

Speaking of...

Be Careful About Referrals

Networking works if it gets you to someone adjacent to or on the hiring team.

This person has to then genuinely vouch for your character and ability.

I see a lot of PhDs ask strangers on LinkedIn or Facebook for referrals to FAANG companies. Even if they get them, the referrals mean very little if 1) They haven't seen your work or don't have a personal connection to you, 2) They have nothing to do with the teams that are hiring.

Network, The Right Way

If the whole point of networking is building trust and goodwill, time is of the essence.

If you want to get in on the networking game, the best time to start was yesterday. The next best time is NOW.

I've always encouraged my coaching clients to network, but only if they do it the right way.

Network Don'ts:

❌ Generic: "Hey I saw your job posting. I'm interested and would like to apply!"

❌ Demand time when no rapport has been built: "Mind if I pick your brain for 20 minutes about the new job posting?"

❌ Vague: "Hey." "Love to connect."

❌ Spam commenting: "Couldn't agree more!" "So true!"

Network Dos:

I call this the 1-2-3-punch.

1. Get on their radar. Like their post. Comment underneath. Engage in Facebook groups. Make friends.
2. Give. Give. Give. Provide any value you can without asking for anything in return. This can be leaving an insightful comment under their post, congratulating them on an achievement, etc.
3. Make the ask. Introduce yourself. Connect with them on LinkedIn. If you do #1 and #2 right, people will want to help you without you even asking. Humans operate on the principle of reciprocity. They get uncomfortable receiving for a long time without giving.

Example

This is a recent example of me networking with a solopreneur.

Solopreneurs, founders, biz owners, recruiters, and hiring managers get DM-slapped all the time.

But I genuinely enjoyed this solopreneur's take and have been commenting under her videos here and there.

Later, I sent her a message letting her know her content resonated with my thought process.

Because I was trying to build a connection without anything in return, she offered to help and support my content creation.

A few days later, she hopped on a 3-hour call with me to answer questions I didn't even know I had––which would have cost me thousands of dollars if I had hired a business coach, for the same amount of value I received.

Is it a lot of "work"? Sure is.

But you don't network to get something out of another person. You network to build a long-lasting system of friendship, partnership, and mentorship around your career.

This is the essence of networking. This is what many job seekers get wrong.

Your Challenge of The Week

I want to challenge you to apply the 1-2-3-punch network method this week: Make an insightful comment under a post by someone you look up to. Message someone to let them know their writing spoke to you.

Reply to this letter and let me know what comes of it.

I've done this with my coaching clients and myself (especially when the fear monster starts roaming in my head). It has led to so many unexpected, surprising, amazing opportunities 💕

Want More Help?

1. If you want to work in-depth on effective networking and honing a targeted application strategy, join the Academic Trailblazer: Career Clear Program by submitting an application.
2. If you need in-depth help now, book a 1:1 Strategy Session. We will analyze your current situation and develop a step-by-step plan to overcome your immediate roadblock.

Want More Advice like this?

Subscribe to my free Letters to The Academic Trailblazer for insights on pitfalls to avoid at every stage of your job search.

Until next time 💕