How to Develop a Networking Plan

Dear Debbie, Everyone tells me I need to network to find ajob, but I’m an introvert.  Do I really need to network? If so, how do I do it? Networking Novice in Nashville Dear Networking Novice, I totally get it—networking can feel daunting. Throughout my science and technology policy career, I have hated evening receptions, dinners, and the numerous other events that are part of a Washington, DC, policy life. Yet, it's a key part of the job search puzzle and your long-term professional life. I still reach out to contacts I made at events years ago when I have a question. Think of networking as a way to gather insights and understand the job market better, rather than expecting immediate job opportunity identification or offers. It’s like planting seeds for future opportunities. Here’s how to start: 1. Define Your Purpose: Understand why you want to network. Are you looking to gain industry insights or clarify job roles? Do you want to determine if you’re a good match while considering pivoting to a new career path? 2. Craft Thoughtful Questions: Prepare questions like, "What does a typical day look like in your role?" or "What skills are essential for success in this field?" Also, ask how they see the job market for their field and gather suggestions on where to find jobs. 3. Identify Contacts: List 5 "warm" contacts you know and 5 "cold" contacts you don’t. This will help you build a diverse network. Put together a database to keep track. 4. Create a Reach-Out Plan: Write LinkedIn and email message templates to connect with these contacts. Start with warm contacts to gain confidence. Develop a brief profile, shorter than your resume, as background information for your emails and DMs. 5. Follow-Up: Don’t forget to thank the person who chatted with you and let them know where you eventually find employment.  Networking is a long-term effort, not a short-term one. Networking opens doors to hidden job markets and can even lead to mentorship. Remember, every conversation is a step forward. Ready to draft your first outreach message, Networking Novice in Nashville? Debbie

Want to get in early at the next big start-up? You’re not going to land it through applications alone. When most people start job searching, they spend 90% of their time on applications, and 10% on networking. It’s backwards. Every big opportunity I’ve landed started with a conversation. Here’s what you need to know before you start: 📩 Clarity → know what you’re looking for and where you’re headed, so others can actually help you. 📩 Curiosity → reaching out because you’re genuinely interested in talking, not just asking for a favor. 📩 Consistency → doing it often enough that luck has a chance to find you. The best networkers I’ve coached aren’t the loudest in the room. They’re the ones who take time to listen, follow up, and show genuine interest. Swipe through for the exact framework I use to help founders and operators build real relationships that lead to the top startup jobs. And follow these five bonus tips to build your network: Research every person you reach out to. See what they’re interested in, what they’re working on, what they care about. Find small, genuine ways to offer value. Maybe they love coffee and Paris, and you send them a café recommendation for their next trip. Small details like that build a real connection. Reconnect with loose ties. Send a simple “Congrats on X - would love to hear how things are going.” message on LinkedIn. Use asynchronous networking. Comment on LinkedIn posts, reply to newsletters, or share an article someone wrote. Low-pressure, high visibility. Follow up every time. A thank-you note, an update, or a helpful link shows you value their time. Play the long game. Networking isn’t about what you can get today, it’s about building trust so opportunities come to you tomorrow. Networking is a skill, not a personality trait. And it’s one anyone can master with consistency.

Let me tell you what networking actually is, because you've been doing it wrong. It's not a business card collection. It's not a LinkedIn follower count. It's not showing up to a conference, grabbing a drink, and calling it "relationship building." That's cosplay. Real networking is the disciplined, long-term act of making yourself someone worth knowing and then proving it, repeatedly. The math is simple: your network is your net worth. Not metaphorically. Literally. Studies show that 70-80% of jobs are filled through personal connections. Your talent is table stakes. Your relationships are the multiplier. So what does this actually look like? - Show up where the smart people are whether it's online, in-person, wherever the signal-to-noise ratio is highest. Don't lurk. Ask the uncomfortable question in the webinar. Introduce yourself at the conference instead of grazing the charcuterie table like it owes you something. Be memorable, because forgettable is fatal. - Use informational interviews. Almost nobody does this. Almost everybody should. You're not asking for a job — you're asking for a map. Professionals will give you 30 minutes to talk about themselves because humans are wired for it. Let them talk. Take notes. Follow up. You just deposited into a relationship that will compound for years. - But here's where most people fail: they only network when they're desperate. When the job disappears. When the company implodes. When the panic sets in. That's not networking — that's begging. And people can smell it. Build the network before you need it. The best time was five years ago. The second best time is right now, when you have nothing to ask for except genuine connection. The long game is the only game. Play it like you mean it. #careers #interviewing #networking #hiring

“Networking is awkward.” You know what’s more awkward? Graduating in May 2025 and applying to 127 jobs with… zero callbacks. Let’s fix that with networking ideas no one’s talking about. and I mean actionable.. 1. “Reverse Research” Your Way Into a Conversation Instead of asking people what they do, show them what you know about what they’ve done. How to do it: Find someone on LinkedIn in your target company/role Read their posts, podcasts, or panels they’ve been on Then send this message: “Hi [Name], I came across your [talk/article/post] on [topic]—your point about [insight] made me think differently. I’m researching [industry], and would love to hear your take on [specific follow-up]. Would it be okay to connect?” That’s conversation built on respect. 2. Book Club for Industry Geeks Start a virtual book or podcast club for your industry. Invite professionals to speak at the end of each cycle. How to do it: Pick 3 peers + 1 book or podcast Create a simple calendar (4 weeks = 4 touchpoints) End with a “Wrap-Up” Zoom chat—invite a guest Post your takeaways on LinkedIn and tag them Because learning together? Is the strongest way to network. 3. Write A “Public Thank You” Post on LinkedIn You probably learned something cool from someone recently. Now imagine you posted it publicly, gave them a shoutout, and showed how you applied it. How to do it: Tag the person Share what they taught you Share what you did next Ask your network, “What’s something YOU learned from someone this month?” You just gave free visibility, created a loop, and 10 people will want to talk to you after. 4. Turn Informational Chats into Co-Creation Networking chats often stop at “thanks for the time.” What if it didn’t? What to do: After the call, send a note: “Hey [Name], based on our chat about [topic], I drafted a small idea to build on your advice. Would love your thoughts!” Create a graphic, short write-up, or project plan (just 1 page!) Now you’re not just a student. You’re someone they collaborated with. That’s relationship-building, not just networking. 5. The 5-5-5 Strategy Most people get stuck on who to reach out to. Here’s a weekly formula: 5 People You Admire (Founders, creatives) 5 People From Your School Network (Alums, professors, guest speakers) 5 Peers Who Are Also Job Hunting (Build a support circle, swap leads) Message all 15. Repeat weekly. That’s 156 conversations in 3 months. You don’t “find” jobs—you build the path to them. Reminder: Networking isn’t about who has the fanciest title. It’s about who remembers you when an opportunity comes up. Be the person who listened, learned, shared, and followed up. If you’re reading this and job searching— try one new method this week. Not next month. Not when it feels “less scary.” Now. You’re not late. #May2025Grads #NetworkingTips #CreativeCareerMoves #JobSearchStrategy #InternationalStudents #GradJobHunt #BeyondTheResume #HumanConnection #Topmate

>>>Do you have a networking plan? A sponsor? I've always actively supported women in building their networks. I regularly push my close friends to build their networks. Unfortunately, we are far worse at building social capital than men. What is social capital? Put simply, a high level of social capital means having good relationships with many people and access to valuable and diverse resources. A good relationship denotes strong norms of trust and reciprocity. You could think of this as goodwill, favors, obligation, or solidarity. Women typically have narrow and deep networks, while men have broad and shallow networks. Broad networks help find and spread ideas, while narrow networks provide close support. High-achieving women often have both. Here are 8 strategies to honour March 8 and help women combine local contact with global reach in professional networking: 1️⃣  𝗕𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 - instead of aiming for a vast network, focus on being strategic with a smaller group of people. 2️⃣ 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 - determine what you want to achieve through networking 3️⃣ 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 - map out how often you want to network and stick to your plan, balancing broadening your network and deepening existing relationships. 4️⃣ 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Meeting industry professionals at local events can help expand your professional network. Face-to-face interactions are invaluable. (We are running #LinkedInLocal on March 25! You're welcome to join us in person.) 5️⃣ 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 - start with LinkedIn. Join an online community. 6️⃣ 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 - Find sponsors in your location to gain face time and access to global high-status networks. 7️⃣ 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘀 - volunteer for local events, shop at local markets, or participate in local groups or clubs to build bridges across cultures and languages. Everybody needs friends close by. 8️⃣ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 -  provide assistance, share insights, and support your network. When I contact my female friends and acquaintances, I'm sad about how little progress they have made in a year. Why don't we prioritize networking? Time constraints, family obligations, and the mode of a single married parent are the top 3 reasons. That puts us at a disadvantage in accessing career advancement, mentorship, and professional support. I want to know your why? If you have the answers, tell us below.↓

In the last 3 years, I helped 49 clients find the job they love. The common networking advice job seekers get: Step 1: Send generic connection requests. Step 2: Wait (and hope) for responses. Step 3: Share your resume immediately. Step 4: Repeat until success. I found a better approach: 1. Research the right people: Focus on recruiters, hiring managers, and practitioners in your target field. 2. Personalize every message: Mention shared interests, their work, or the company in your outreach. 3. Start with value: Ask thoughtful questions or express genuine admiration for their expertise. 4. Build a relationship: Engage with their posts or provide insights before asking for help. 5. Follow up strategically: Stay polite and persistent without overwhelming them. If you follow this process, you'll build meaningful connections that can help you find the place where you enjoy working.

Most people don’t have a networking problem. They have a clarity and courage problem. Here’s how my clients build high-powered networks—without begging for coffee chats or feeling fake. 🧠 Start here: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁. 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱. Here’s how: 𝟭. 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗮 Stop “putting yourself out there.” Start targeting 5-10 people who can actually move the needle on your goals. 𝟮. 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 If your first message includes “pick your brain,” you’ve already lost. No one is waiting around to solve a stranger’s career crisis. 𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 Relationships work like capital accounts. You don’t ask for a withdrawal before you’ve made a deposit. 𝟰. 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁—𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 This doesn’t mean fake flattery. Try one of these instead: • Share something relevant to their work • Offer insight they might not have • Help them solve a current challenge • Send something worth 90 seconds of attention 𝟱. 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 Read every line of their LinkedIn. Look at interviews, thought leadership, old roles. Find the patterns. Spot the gaps. Now you’re ready to make contact. 𝟲. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 Write down 10 ways you could help or engage them. Yes, 10. Not 3. Not 5. Ten. This builds muscle. Clarity. Relevance. 𝟳. 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 Don’t wing it. Rank your ideas by effort vs. potential impact. Start with your top 2. Work the plan. Keep working it. 𝟴. 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 (𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼) Reach out with precision. No long intros. No life stories. Offer one clear, relevant point of value. If they don’t bite, try idea #2. Then #3. Most connections take more than one try. That’s not rejection—it’s normal. This is how the game is played at the top. Strategic. Consistent. Relationship-first. And it works. 🧭 Question for you: What’s the biggest blocker between you and building the network you need next? -------------------------------------- ♻ Repost to help your network. ✚ Follow Courtney Intersimone for more tools and tips on executive career and leadership mastery. Showing you how to get invited into the (board)room where it happens....and thrive there! 😎

From "I don’t know any investors" to a list of 230+ leads => a founder’s networking breakthrough When one of my clients told me, "Jorian, I don’t know any angel investors," I wasn’t surprised. It’s a common worry, especially for first-time entrepreneurs. But here’s the thing: Most founders already have access to potential investors—they just don’t realize it yet. So, we started with a simple exercise: to list all the networks he’s part of. We mapped out: - His university alumni group - Former colleagues - People from his hometown - Members of an affinity group he belonged to - Friends and family After breaking it down, we identified 10 distinct networks. Next, I asked him to focus on two types of people in each group: 1. Connectors: The super connectors who know everyone. 2. Direct Leads: People who might personally have the capacity to invest. The result? A list of 230 names! Here’s what happened next: - He engaged the connectors to unlock warm introductions to more angels. - He reached out directly to potential investors with tailored, personal messages. In just weeks, he went from “I don’t know anyone” to having more investor leads than he could handle. The lesson? Your network is bigger than you think. With a deliberate plan, you can uncover opportunities that were hiding in plain sight. 👉 Ready to give it a shot? 1. List every network you’re part of. 2. Identify connectors and direct leads. 3. Start reaching out deliberately and authentically. Have you tried this approach before? Let me know how it works for you—or if you need help mapping your network! _______________ Follow me @Jorian Hoover for more startup fundraising strategies + subscribe to my newsletter "Into the Ring".

The last two roles I landed, which were Director+ level, I didn't get there through my resume or applying for a job. I got them through an introduction based on people I have worked with in the past, people I have helped, and my reputation. I got them through my network multipler. Treat building your network like a side hustle. It takes time to build. I’ve spent the last 5 years focused on building my network. 💡 Ideas to build and scale your network: - Connect with old co-workers and offer to connect over coffee or lunch (in-person or remote) - Make 30 new connections per week on LinkedIn - Ask your current network who else should you connect with based on X topic or goal. Referrals to new people is a great flywheel to scale who you know - Make a list of people you want in your network and introduce yourself - Join a few communities and PARTICIPATE. Offer your expertise and try to connect with people 1:1 or in small groups. - Attend local networking groups You need to nurture and build trust in your network. This is consistent work but you also get value out of this work. 💡 Ideas to nurture your network - Create and share content on social, newsletter, your own notion site, etc. - Connect people together inside your network. “Hey, you should talk to X about Y” - Ask for feedback on things you are working on AND repay the favor. P.S. If anyone asks for something from you, do it (even when you might not want to) - Ask for a meeting and offer coffee or lunch There are plenty of other ideas but this list should get you started! P.S. Is this an AI image or just my crappy handwriting scribbling as I drafted this? 🤔

Every opportunity that changed my life came from a relationship (not a resume). 6 tips to build a network that actually works for you: 1/ Check In Without Needing Anything ↳ Send "how are you?" texts more often than "can you help me?" emails. ↳ People forget what you said, but they remember that you stayed in touch. 2/ Give Before You Get ↳ The best networkers give help more often than they ask for it. ↳ Share opportunities, make introductions, send useful articles. 3/ Start Building Today ↳ The worst time to build relationships is when you desperately need them. ↳ Your next job won't come from a blind job app. It'll come from someone you know. 4/ Make It Personal ↳ Remember birthdays, kids' names, their big wins. ↳ One genuine conversation beats 100 business cards. 5/ Stay Consistent ↳ Set reminders to reach out quarterly. ↳ Small efforts compound into strong connections. 6/ Be The Connector ↳ Introduce people who should know each other. ↳ Become known as someone who helps others win. The net worth of your network compounds faster than your 401(k). Every promotion, every opportunity, every breakthrough... They all started with a relationship. Your dream job is one conversation away. But that conversation only happens if you've been nurturing relationships all along. Start today. Text someone you haven't talked to in months. Not because you need something. Just because relationships are your most valuable career asset. What's your favorite way to network? Reshare ♻️ to help someone in your network. And give me a follow for more posts like this.