Memo: How to make the most out of your "network"

Recruiting season is in full-swing, and the pandemic is affecting the job market in unforeseeable ways. With that, leveraging your network is super important! As both a past "coffee chat requester" and now as a "coffee chat receiver", I wanted to share some of my advice on how to make reaching out to mutual friends/acquaintances at a desired company more successful:

 

• Make your objective clear. Are you looking for the same exact role they are in? Or are you curious about the general interview process? Don't just tell them what you think seems like the right thing to ask them about. They'll gladly talk your ear off about their role, but if you don't plan on applying to the same discipline and are just asking questions to avoid only asking about the recruiting process…you're going to waste everyone's time. Instead, be specific about the role you're looking at and what you're hoping to learn from the conversation.
• Be organized and keep your word. Make a short list of things you need to make sure you get answered before you hit the dial button. If you mentioned something specific you wanted to talk about in your original message to them, be sure to actually ask it. It can come off as insincere if you don't bring up something they were looking forward to talking about - even if you honestly cared but just forgot to bring it up!
• Make getting on the call easy for them. "Let me know when you're free!" doesn't cut it once they've agreed to talk to you. You'll waste time in a calendar back-and-forth or potentially have them forget to "let you know" when they were free. When you make them scour their calendar and reach back out with a date/time, you're putting a mental tax on them. Instead, make it easier on them to get on a call with you less steps - try asking "Would you mind chatting with me about __  later this week or next?" or "I'm available Mondays-Wednesdays from 3p-5p EDT. Please let me know if you are free for a 30-min chat about __ in that timeframe. If not, let me know what works better!"
• Did you follow up? You might not be the only friend or connection interested in chatting. Why should they chat with you when someone else is showing more interest in them by sending a follow-up? Especially if you don't know them too well, there's not a big incentive for them to talk to you, but it helps to know you weren't just blasting out bulk coffee chat requests to all of your connections at the company (and disinterested once another connection already responded to you).
• Focus on connection, not qualification. If you're not speaking to someone dedicated to a recruiting initiative/team, they are probably not on the hiring team who gets to make the final call on whether you are qualified or not - so save the brags for interviews! Talk about your strengths and why you think the role is a good fit, but focus more on developing a personal connection to them or their work. If you already know them pretty well, bring up those connections you share to help explain your career goals.
• Don't pull connections out of thin air though. Sometimes, you'll talk to someone completely unlike you. And that is GREAT! Similarity isn't always the answer. It's also the differences that make you memorable and valuable. Regardless, pining too hard to show connection with someone can come across as insincere (although having the same middle name or favorite ice cream flavor IS kind of cool!). Focusing on sharing your goals and interests (common or not) helps them also see how to better connect you to relevant colleagues or redirect you to a better career opportunity! Never think a conversation is a waste just because you didn't get out what you initially thought you would.

 

Last but not least, thank them. Show that their time mattered to you. However, don't be convinced this is a one-way street! People love talking and sharing what they do - especially if you are genuinely passionate about learning more!

 

I hope my advice helps those still looking for their next step. Please do share this with anyone in your network you think would benefit! For both fellow "coffee chat requesters" and "coffee chat receivers" - what have been some of your best words of advice for reaching out to a connection?