Effective Networking in Tech

𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟯 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟰 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 The job market right now is brutal. I just went through the eye of that storm and want to share what I learned to help others who feel invisible or near giving up (Part 1) 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟱 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗜 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲. 𝟭. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗮: If the job market is a sports Arena, the interview is the actual competition. A referral is your ticket in. 𝟮. #𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹: We often treat networking as something you suddenly “turn on” when you need a job. Your network is part of your net worth, but it needs ongoing care. If you only show up when you need something, it feels transactional. But if you've been consistently helping others, asking for help feels natural. My referrals came from:  * A grad school friend I helped land his last job  * A conference panel connection  * Former Amazon colleagues now at other companies One colleague took my 9 PM call, strategized for an hour, and referred me to a dozen jobs (which resulted in one hit). Another contact immediately texted the hiring manager with my resume, resulted in an interview invitation overnight. None was by chance, it was the result of consistently showing up for people and building real relationships. 𝟯. 𝗕𝗲 𝗮 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻. 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱: The only sustainable way to maintain a strong network is to be a good person. Be sincere. Be helpful. Be supportive. Most importantly, help people without expecting anything in return. 𝟰. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮 "𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗱": Job hunting is incredibly lonely. It's not just a professional challenge, it's an emotional one because the process breeds self-doubt. One of the most unexpected benefits of my network was the mental health support. I had a "tribe" sitting right next to the Arena watching me compete. Mentors, friends, and ex-colleagues who would text me to say, "How did it go?" or "Don't stress, they’d be lucky to have you," or "If you don't get it, it's their loss." That support made a huge difference in my mental state. When your confidence is shattered after a tough round, having a cheering squad keeps you from getting wounded by the rejection. I’m deeply grateful. Without it, I don’t think I would’ve come out of this process as intact as I did. 𝟱. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 "𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀" 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘄 Here’s my challenge to you: use the next two months to warm up your network. November and December are actually the "Golden Months" for networking. Because you have three built-in, pressure-free reasons to reach out to anyone: Happy Thanksgiving; Merry Christmas; Happy New Year Please don’t miss the opportunity these next two months offer.

𝐒𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 '𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤' 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬? During our mentoring session, someone asked: "What's the least annoying, most effective way to network?" The panelists' answers surprised people. 𝟏. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 One panelist: "When someone reaches out and it's very obvious they've read my work or looked at my website and custom-tailored a message TO ME specifically - I always reply. 99% of messages I get are generic. If I can tell you sent the same message to 100 people, I won't respond." In the AI era, this matters more than ever. Everyone can send "personalized" emails at scale now. Manual cold emails get lost in the noise. 𝟐. 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞-𝐭𝐨-𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝟓𝟎 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 Conferences aren't just keynotes - they're networking goldmines. Vendor booths, poster sessions, coffee breaks. This is where real connections happen. Can't afford registration? Offer to volunteer. Many organizers give free entry in exchange for helping at the registration desk. Medical device conferences bring together startups trying to get noticed. Scientific conferences have vendor halls full of companies looking for talent. Go there. Talk to people. Ask for coffee meetings. 𝟑. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 Your current or former mentors, classmates, research collaborators - these warm connections are exponentially more valuable than cold outreach. Ask your mentors to introduce you to people in their networks. But be specific: Not "I want to get into neurotech" but "I'm interested in clinical trial design for brain stimulation devices." 𝟒. 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 People who successfully break into neurotech without traditional credentials got there by working harder early on. They didn't skip steps. They earned trust by delivering value first. 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: Quality over quantity, always. One thoughtful, personalized message beats 100 generic ones. One meaningful in-person conversation beats 50 LinkedIn connections. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝? 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬. 👇 𝐀𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝?

A SWE landed an interview at Capital One from a networking event. Not because he was the most outgoing person in the room. And not because he had a stacked resume. But because he came prepared. He knew what to say. Who to talk to. What questions to ask. He connected with several new people at the event. And one of them referred him to an open position 2 weeks later. Here's a simple guide so you can do the same: 1. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂. → It's easier to talk when you actually care about the topic. Prioritize recurring meetings in your area. But one-off meetings are fine, too. 2. 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁. → Check for Discord groups, Slack channels, or public guest lists. Shoot them a short message on LinkedIn like: "Saw you're attending [Event Name] next week. Would love to connect!" And chat with them a bit before the event. Seeing a familiar face makes it easier to break the ice. 3. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 "𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼?" → Most people respond with a job title and a company. BORING. Have an elevator pitch ready that sparks curiosity. "𝘐 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘦-𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨." Now they have a reason to ask: "How are you doing that?" "What tech stack are you using?" 4. 𝗕𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺. → Good conversations come from interest in others. • What were you hoping to get out of the event? • Was there anyone specific you were hoping to meet? • What's the most interesting project you've worked on lately? 5. 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. → A great conversation means nothing if you never see them again. Connect on LinkedIn or get their phone or email. Whatever they're comfortable sharing. Make it easy to stay in touch. 6. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 → The event is just an introduction. Send a follow up ASAP. Plan a coffee chat or set up a virtual meeting. If there's overlap, collaborate on something interesting. That's how real relationships are built. 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆: Networking doesn't always reward extroverted people. It rewards people who show up with a plan. Try this at your next event. Let me know how it goes. P.S. Have you ever built a connection from a networking event?

Here’s how to network in tech without sounding desperate or transactional. (And actually land results) Let’s be real. Most people hate networking. Because it feels fake. Forced. Like you’re bothering someone. And the worst advice out there is “just ask for a referral.” That’s how you become noise. Here’s how to build signal instead. 1️⃣ Lead with what you build, not what you want. Tech hiring is evidence based. Instead of: “Can you help me get a job at your company?” Say: “I’m a backend engineer focused on distributed systems and reliability. I’m exploring teams where I can own latency and scale problems.” Clear lane. Clear value. 2️⃣ Ask role specific questions that hiring managers respect. Generic questions get generic answers. Better questions: “What does strong look like in the first 90 days for this role?” “What’s the hardest part of the stack or workflow right now?” “What gaps do you see most candidates have at this level?” That shows maturity. 3️⃣ Use the two-sentence message rule. Many tech folks ramble when they’re nervous. Keep it short: Sentence 1: why them. Sentence 2: what you’re exploring. Example: “Saw your post on observability at scale. I’m exploring senior platform roles and would love to hear what you prioritize when evaluating candidates.” That's it. 4️⃣ Earn trust before you ask for a referral. Referrals are reputation. Get one conversation first. Then follow up with something that proves you listened. “I took your advice and rewrote my resume to focus on impact and metrics. It already changed how recruiters respond.” Now you’re memorable. 5️⃣ Create visibility without posting every day. You don’t need to be a content creator. Do this: Comment on 3 posts per week from people in your target teams. One thoughtful paragraph. A real opinion. A small technical insight. That’s enough to stay top of mind. Networking in tech isn’t about being social. It’s about being clear, credible, and easy to place. Help me share this post, and let’s help other tech professionals land roles.

Networking isn't schmoozing. 🤝 It's being useful to specific people. Here's the actual difference: When people say they hate networking, they mean they hate going to events and pretending to be interested in strangers while secretly hoping someone hands them a job. That's not networking. That's awkward theater. Real networking is targeted. Specific. Useful. And it has nothing to do with working a room. Here's the reframe: ❌ Old mindset: "I need to meet as many people as possible" "Maybe someone will know of an opportunity" "I should go to industry mixers and collect cards" ✅ New mindset: "I have 5 target companies. I need 1 real contact at each." "I'm looking for someone working on the exact problem I solve" "I reach out with something useful — not an ask" The Useful Stranger Framework™ 1️⃣ Get specific on your targets You're not networking with "people in tech." You're finding the PM at [Company] who's building what you've already built — because that's where your story is most relevant. 2️⃣ Lead with value, not need Don't: "I'm exploring opportunities and would love to chat." Do: "I read your post about onboarding drop-off. We solved that at [Company] with [specific approach]. Happy to share what worked." See the difference? One is a request. One is an offer. 3️⃣ Make it easy to say yes 15-minute virtual chat > 45-minute phone call. Specific question > "Can I pick your brain?" Smaller ask = higher response rate. Always. 4️⃣ Stay in touch without a reason One message every 90 days. Something relevant, not transactional. A link to their topic. A "thought of you when I saw this." Relationships compound over time. The goal isn't a big network. It's 5 real people who know exactly what you're great at. That's it. Start there → https://lnkd.in/gJSNk4FN 👍 To let me know you want more content like this. ♻️ Reshare to help someone rethink how they network. 🔔 Follow me for more job search & resume tips.

Networking isn't just about making connections; it's about creating value for those in your network. A common mistake is to reach out to connections only when you need something. Instead, focus on contributing to your network first. Share useful content, offer help, and make introductions that benefit others. For example, when you connect with someone, research their role and challenges. Share relevant articles or insights that might help them. Ask, "How can I help you?" This simple question can go a long way in building trust and fostering meaningful relationships. Making introductions within your network can also be incredibly valuable and appreciated. Starting early and consistently offering value builds a solid foundation for your network. Your posts, thoughts, and advice not only enrich your connections but also position you as a valuable resource. By focusing on creating value first, you build stronger, more meaningful connections over time. What strategies have you used to provide value to your network? #Networking#ValueCreation #TechLeadership

Networking events make my skin crawl. Awkward small talk. Forced conversations. Business cards that end up in the trash. I thought "networking" meant pretending to care about strangers while secretly hoping they'd help my career. Then I learned the secret: The best networking happens when you're not trying to network. It happens when you: → Share knowledge generously. → Help people solve problems. → Engage authentically with others' content. → Build relationships, not transactions. Your personal brand is your networking strategy. When you consistently share valuable insights: → People start following your work. → They remember you when opportunities arise. → They recommend you to others. → They reach out when they need help. The developers with the best opportunities aren't the ones who "network" the hardest. They're the ones who help the most. Instead of asking "How can this person help me?" Ask "How can I help this person?" Instead of collecting contacts, build connections. Instead of pitching yourself, provide value. Your reputation will do the networking for you. How are you helping others today?

I wouldn’t call myself a networking expert. BUT I’ve landed my last 8 clients because of “networking.” Here’s what’s worked for me 👇 A disclaimer before I start: “successful” networking hinges on being as invested in other people‘s success as you’re in your own. It’s NEVER a matter of quantity (“send 20 connection requests a day!”), and always a matter of connecting with like-minded people. 1. Be genuinely nice and helpful — proactively. Someone landed a role at a company you’ve admired or a product you’ve thought is cool? Reach out and congratulate them. Go beyond LinkedIn’s recommend one-liner and add a personal note. Someone’s struggling with a task you could do in your sleep? For example, setting up Monday automations. Send them a voice note with instructions or screenshots. 2. Show up on both sides — people who you can help and people who can help you. It’s not “networking” if you’re only reaching out to people who have something to offer you. Connect with others in your industry, people who have your role in a completely different industry, and people who want to be where you are. 3. Listen before you talk. Listen actively, intently, and empathetically. Seek to understand before you comment or ask for something. Always always ask “how can I support you in your goals?” Give people an opportunity to tell you — unfiltered — what they need from you. 3 “Don’ts” which you…just don’t do pls. It’s gross. 1. Don’t bait and switch: it’s the worst. People don’t hate cold pitches as much as they hate this. With a cold pitch, people might ghost you. But bait and switch and they’ll mentally block you forever. 2. Don’t get emotional in business conversations. I once recieved a follow up where the person went on and on about how they’d stayed up at night waiting for my reply. It was an unsolicited cold pitch. I don’t even remember seeing the email, I was probably too busy. They went on to call me some rather rude names and I … blocked them. Point is, they burnt a bridge for no reason. 3. Don’t fake it till you make it. Don’t exaggerate your credentials. Even if the conversation is successful, you’ll never be able to form a real relationship. It’ll always be superficial. What do you think?

In the startup world, funding, partnerships, and opportunities rarely happen in isolation. They come through connections—the right conversation at the right time. Take the story of Tope Awotona, the founder of Calendly. In 2013, frustrated by the inefficiencies of scheduling meetings, Tope invested his life savings into developing Calendly. Operating from Atlanta Tech Village, he collaborated with the Kyiv-based firm Railsware to bring his idea to life. He poured his life savings into his idea but struggled to raise funds. At first, venture capitalists weren’t convinced—some didn’t understand the product’s full potential, while others were skeptical of its ability to compete in a crowded market. Rather than getting discouraged, Awotona focused on making connections with investors who shared his vision. In 2017, networking led him to OpenView Venture Partners, which became Calendly’s first institutional investor. OpenView provided not just funding but also strategic insights to help the company scale efficiently. Then, in 2021, after years of steady growth, networking played a crucial role again when Iconiq Capital led a $350 million Series B round, valuing Calendly at over $3 billion. Without Awotona’s ability to forge relationships with the right investors, Calendly might not have reached unicorn status. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or professional, strategic networking can open doors you never imagined. Here’s how: 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝: Before reaching out, understand what you're looking for—advice, funding, partnerships, or mentorship. The clearer you are, the more effective your networking efforts will be. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞: Networking isn’t just about taking; it’s about giving. Share insights, introduce contacts, or offer help where you can. Relationships built on mutual benefit last longer. 𝐁𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞: Attend the right conferences and events for your sector. Surround yourself with people who share your interests and aspirations. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Cold outreach can work, but a warm introduction from a mutual connection is far more effective. Build relationships with connectors who can introduce you to the right people. 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐔𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝: A single conversation isn’t enough. Stay in touch and continue providing value. Long-term relationships often lead to the biggest opportunities. Awotona’s story is proof that networking isn’t just about meeting people—it’s about building relationships that can change the course of your business or career. So ask yourself: Are you positioning yourself in the right circles? Are you engaging in conversations that could change your journey? Because in this ecosystem, sometimes the right handshake is worth more than a hundred cold emails.

Here are the networking essentials if you want to land a job in 2026: Most roles will be filled before they ever hit a job board. Not because of luck. Because of visibility and trust. Here’s what actually moves the needle. 1️⃣ Build relationships before you need them. Networking done in panic never works. The strongest referrals come from conversations built months in advance. 2️⃣ Connect with people one step ahead of you. Senior engineers, tech leads, hiring managers. They’re close enough to help and influential enough to matter. 3️⃣ Lead with curiosity, not asks. Ask about their team. Their challenges. Their work. Help follows genuine interest. 4️⃣ Show up publicly. Share what you’re learning. Comment with insight. Consistency builds familiarity long before you send a message. 5️⃣ Follow up like a pro. A thank you note. A relevant resource. A thoughtful check-in weeks later. This is how relationships last. 6️⃣ Make your LinkedIn do the heavy lifting. If your value isn’t clear in seconds, networking stalls. Clarity creates conversations. In 2026, the best roles won’t go to the loudest applicants. They’ll go to the most trusted names. Build trust early. Save this post. You’ll need it before your next job move.