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!

Photo by Jakob Dalbjörn on Unsplash

I’ve personally found networking to be immensely beneficial for the following reasons:

1. Referral Power: Networking opens the door to potential referrals, giving your resume a standout status in the eyes of recruiters.
2. Insider Insights: Internally connecting with employees and recruiters provided me with valuable insights into the status of my applications.
3. Hidden Opportunities: Networking led me to discover upcoming roles that hadn’t yet made their way to the official career pages.
4. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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#