In today’s blog post we will focus on how to network with recruiters, hiring managers, and potential mentors on LinkedIn.
By creating meaningful connections with professionals in your field, you increase the chances of your resume making it into the hands of decision makers and influencers. Having the right connections can mean the difference between getting an interview or having your resume sit undiscovered in an applicant tracking system.
For our purposes today we will focus on two areas of networking:
- Recruiters/hiring managers
- Mentors/industry leaders
But before reaching out on LinkedIn we need to do some initial groundwork. First, you will want to identify which segment of the tech. industry you want to work in:
- Technology Software & Services
- Technology Hardware & Equipment
- Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturers
Once you’ve identified which segment of the tech industry you’d like to work in, you’ll want to think about what sector you’d like to work in next:
- Arts & Entertainment
- Food & Beverage
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Hospitality
- Public Administration
- Health Care
- Transportation & Utility
- Professional & Business
- Retail
Why do we do this? We do this initial footwork because we are going to build an actual networking strategy that will help us target the right hiring managers/recruiters and potential mentors and industry leaders. When we are clear about the industry, sector, and market we want to pursue we can be much more focused in our approach.
We also show recruiters and potential mentors that we are self-aware and we’ve done our homework. We can clearly articulate:
- Our value proposition (value add)
- Who we are targeting (job clarity)
For example, let’s say I’ve figured out that I want to work as a junior developer in Healthcare IT, specifically with SaaS products that will streamline and improve the patient/provider experience in the Boulder/Denver market.
Example:
Target industry segment: Tech. Software & Service Company (SaaS)
Target sector: Healthcare
Market: Boulder/Denver
Desired Position: Jr. Web Developer
Now I can start taking action (hint: here’s where the networking strategy comes into play). On LinkedIn I can start looking for Healthcare IT (SaaS) companies in the Boulder/Denver area and I can do a few things to build my network in this industry:
- Start following companies I’m interested in working for
- Look on Healthcare IT “Company” LinkedIn pages for jobs
- Add recruiters/hiring managers from those respective companies
- Look for potential mentors/industry leaders
Why do we do this? By taking these actions, we have just created a diversified yet targeted approach to connecting with the right people and companies.
Let’s explore this networking strategy more here:
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Find the Right Companies: When we follow companies on LinkedIn they will show up in our news feed and we can get a sense of who they are as a company and follow up with additional research as necessary. This way we will be prepared when we score an interview. We can speak intelligently about the company and current company events and hot topics.
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Find the Right People: Companies that post jobs on LinkedIn will often include the name of the recruiter/hiring manager so you can follow-up with him/her to learn more about the opportunity or share your credentials. Also, by looking at a recruiter or hiring manager’s LinkedIn profile before an interview shows that you’ve done your due diligence. (Is there something on their profile that can help break the ice or make a personal connection in the first interview?)
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Find the Right Jobs: When you add recruiters and hiring managers to your network in your target industry/market, you will often see them post opportunities in your feed on LinkedIn. This is a great time to take initiative and follow up personally to learn more about the job opening and connect with the recruiter.
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Find the Right Industry Leaders: As we begin to add more professionals to our network in our target industry, we will begin to see articles and posts that our network values by the way they share content. Ask yourself, is the content that’s being shared thematic? In other words, are the same articles being shared, same authors, writers, or topics? If so, you can start to follow industry leaders on LinkedIn by the quality of content (value) they add to the conversation.
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Find the Right Mentors: As you begin to research more professionals in your niche, you’ll start to see people doing some pretty cool things in your field. Identify a list of people doing the things you want to be doing in your own career and approach them to connect to learn more about their careers (how they got to their respective roles and any advice they may want to share).
Networking: Reaching out to Recruiters & Mentors
Once we have clarity around the value that we have to add and the kinds of jobs we are targeting, we’re ready to reach out to recruiters and mentors.
I understand that some of you may cringe at the idea of networking because it sounds a lot like selling yourself, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Think of networking as the cultivation of relationships with individuals and groups that share a common interest.
When we think of networking as cultivating relationships it removes the I-feel-like-a-used-car-salesman out of the equation. The best networking happens with people you are genuinely interested in and where there’s an organic connection. Like dating or finding new friends, you’ll meet some recruiters and industry professionals that you just don’t click with, there’s zero chemistry. That’s ok, keep putting the feelers out there and keep reaching out to folks; have confidence and patience that you will find “your” people.
Don’t know where to start? Here are a couple sample emails you can put your own spin on and start using to get the ball rolling…
EXAMPLE 1
Hi Brandon, [Recruiter]
I’m reaching out to you today to express my interest in learning more about the Jr. Developer opportunity with Rally Software. After reviewing the job description, I believe that I have the skills, education, and background you are looking for.
A little about me, I have a B.A. in Engineering from CU Boulder and just finished a 3 month intensive bootcamp at CodeCraft School of Technology where I learned the following languages, tools and technologies: HTML/HTML5 and CSS, Javascript, AJAX, JSON, SSH/FTP, jQuery, Node.js, Angular.js, Express.js, MongoDB, SQL and persistent localized data storage, Bootstrap 3, Git, Amazon Web Services (AWS), MVC, Heroku, Batarang.js and Yeoman.js.
If you are open to it, I would like to schedule a call with you to learn more about the Jr. Developer role and Rally Software. Please let me know of some days/times that work best with your schedule. I can be reached via email at [email protected] or cell at 720.123.4567.
Thank you for your time Brandon! I hope to connect with you soon.
My best,
Jill
EXAMPLE 2
Hi Tien, [Potential Mentor]
I’m reaching out to you today because I would love for the opportunity to connect sometime! I’ve recently relocated from Seattle to Boulder and I would like to learn more about your experiences as a Sr. Web Developer, as I am relatively new to this field and looking for Jr. Developer roles. Would you be open to connecting over the phone?
I can usually do M-F 7am-8:30am PT or alternatively 5:30pm-8:30pm PT.
Thank you Tien, for your time. I look forward to connecting with you soon!
My best,
Brian
Bottom line: you are more than a piece of paper, aka your resume. By building meaningful relationships with professionals in your field and by building your network, you vastly improve the odds of recruiters and hiring managers getting to see who you are and what you have to offer. Networking on LinkedIn is an investment well worth your time and energy!