Cracking the Code: Step 3— Networking
TLDR: This is the 3rd of the 8 steps in my journey of networking, interviewing, and landing my dream job during layoffs. So stay tuned!
I’ve personally found networking to be immensely beneficial for the following reasons:
- Referral Power: Networking opens the door to potential referrals, giving your resume a standout status in the eyes of recruiters.
- Insider Insights: Internally connecting with employees and recruiters provided me with valuable insights into the status of my applications.
- Hidden Opportunities: Networking led me to discover upcoming roles that hadn’t yet made their way to the official career pages.
- Direct Recruiter Interaction: Perhaps most crucially, networking allowed me to directly engage with recruiters, effectively bypassing the traditional application process. This serves as a potent “backdoor” into job roles.
Here’s how you can effectively network:
- Leverage LinkedIn: Reach out to both your first & second-degree connections. Compose a concise message introducing yourself & your skills. Express your active interest in opportunities & propose a quick call. Attach your resume for reference.
- Tap into Your Personal Network: Reconnect with friends, relatives, ex-coworkers, and other contacts in your personal network. They could hold valuable connections or insights.
- Attend Conferences: Engage in events like Grace Hopper’s conference, Major League Hacking’s Hackathons/workshops, and Software Developer’s association gatherings. These platforms connect you with individuals of various roles, companies, and expertise levels that you might not encounter otherwise.
- Explore Career Fairs: In-person career fairs still thrive in many cities. Platforms like Meetup can guide you toward these events, offering face-to-face networking opportunities.
Tip: Include your availability on Calendly & provide the link in the message to recruiters. This enables them to promptly schedule a call with you based on your open slots.
Follow for Step 4 — Job Applications
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📝 You might also like: From Gamer to Game Developer: My Journey with Unity and C#