Networking is More Than Your Signal

Photo by Jakob Dalbjörn on Unsplash

Alright, folks, let’s rap about a core tenet of professional success: networking.

And no, I’m not talking about your Wi-Fi signal.

👉 Visibility: The job market is not unlike the App Store, swamped with countless contenders vying for a sliver of attention. It’s an ocean of talent. How do you break through? Networking. You can have the talents of Elon Musk and the drive of Beyoncé, but if you’re the world’s best-kept secret, it’s as if you don’t exist. Networking isn’t just about making connections; it’s about making yourself visible.

👉 The Human Algorithm: Imagine the last time you bought something. Did a personal recommendation weigh heavier than an online review? Most likely. Why? We trust our tribe. Companies do the same. An algorithm can sort resumes, but the human algorithm — the trusted recommendation, the friendly nod from someone within — is irreplaceable.

👉 Real-time Intel: The job market is dynamic. By the time a position is public, the best opportunities might be snatched up or might not even be advertised. Networking provides insider knowledge, giving you a competitive edge.

Now, here’s where most people screw up: they think networking is about take, take, take. Wrong. Before you ask, “What can I get?”, you should ask, “What can I give?”

👉 The Law of Reciprocity: Ever get a free sample at Costco and feel a tiny urge to buy the whole product? That’s reciprocity. Give, and there’s an innate human tendency to want to give back. But here’s the rub: Don’t give just to get. That’s not genuine, and people can sniff that out. When you help others without immediate expectation, the universe has a way of folding that goodwill back to you, often in ways you couldn’t have predicted.

👉 Authenticity & Relationships: Networking isn’t about collecting LinkedIn connections like Pokémon cards. It’s about fostering genuine relationships. Listen more, talk less. Be genuinely interested in others. The deeper the relationship, the more powerful the connection.

In conclusion, your network is your net worth. But remember, the richest portfolios aren’t measured by the quantity of connections, but by the quality of relationships and the balance of give and take. So go out there and start depositing into the cosmic bank of goodwill. The dividends? Beyond your wildest dreams.

Brian Fink is the author of Tech Talk To Me. He takes on the stress and strain of complex technology concepts and simplifies them for the modern recruiter. Fink’s impassioned wit and humor tackle the highs and lows of technical recruiting with a unique perspective — a perspective intended to help you find, engage, and partner with professionals.