How to Turn Connections into Job Offers

We rarely talk about how graduate students are supposed to magically know how to network their way into jobs! Here's the reality: 🎓 What advisors say: "Just network at conferences and you'll find opportunities." 🎓 What actually happens: You stand awkwardly by the coffee table, exchange greetings with people who forget you immediately, and wonder why nothing leads to job offers. The problem? We treat networking like it's optional relationship-building when it's actually a core job search strategy that no one teaches properly. The brutal truth about academic job hunting: • Most exciting positions, say at startups, and hiring searches often start in informal conversations • Your CV gets you noticed, but relationships get you referrals Yet somehow we expect grad students to figure this out through trial and error. Here's how to actually network for jobs: Before the conversation: Research who you're talking to. Know their recent work, their company's challenges, their career path. Five minutes of homework beats an hour of generic small talk. During the conversation: Skip "I am …" Try: "What are you working on" or "What trends are you seeing in [their field]?" Follow-up that matters: Within 24 hours, send something useful: a paper they mentioned wanting to read, a connection to someone solving similar problems, or a thoughtful observation from your conversation. The informational interview strategy: Don't ask for jobs. Ask for insights. "I'm exploring careers in [field]. Could I ask you about your experience?" Then listen for pain points you could solve. Turn conversations into opportunities: When someone mentions a challenge, respond with: "That's fascinating. I've been working on something related. Would it be helpful if I shared what I've learned?" The follow-up sequence that got me results: Update on something you discussed Share relevant opportunity or insight Check in with genuine question about their work Don’t make it up! Have genuine reason to email and be excited to do the science! What actually leads to job offers: • Solving problems, look at code, suggest changes etc. • Being the person others think of when opportunities arise • Demonstrating expertise through helpful conversations and open source tools etc, not just credentials The mindset shift: Stop thinking "How can I get a job from this person?" Start thinking "How can I be genuinely helpful and do good science?" Here's what changes everything: Treat every conversation as market research. You're learning about problems that need solving, skills that are valued, and opportunities that might exist. My PhD taught me to identify problems and develop solutions. Networking was just applying those same skills to career conversations. Most grad students network when they're desperate for jobs. Smart ones network when they're still two years out. The best time to build relationships? Before you need them.

Most job seekers on LinkedIn are sending the same dry, desperate messages. And it sounds like this: “Hi, can you refer me?” “Hey, I applied to this job - please help.” “Hi, check my profile.” Then they sit back and wonder why no one responds. I’ve done this too. It felt frustrating and discouraging. But here’s what no one tells you: People don’t reply because there’s no connection. They don’t owe us a referral just because we’re job hunting. But many are willing to help - if you approach them right. So what works better? Let me break it down - this is exactly how I turned cold connections into actual conversations: ✅ Step 1: Start by talking about them Look at their profile. See how long they’ve been at the company, what they do, if they’ve switched teams recently. ✅ Step 2: See if they’re actively posting or commenting If someone’s regularly creating content or sharing posts, engage with it. Drop a thoughtful comment or like their posts before messaging them. It helps you show up as a familiar name when you DM them - and shows you’re genuinely interested in their work, not just a job referral. ✅ Step 3: Transition gently to your job interest Do NOT start with “Can you refer me.” Instead, ask for their thoughts about the team or role. ✅ Step 4: Be polite, human, and non-pushy Thank them for their time, whether they reply or not. Why This Works: Because it’s human. Because it respects their time. Because it turns a cold DM into a warm conversation. Even if you don’t get a referral immediately - you build insight, connections, and sometimes, an unexpected lead. People respond when you show curiosity, not desperation. Simple as that. Even after doing all this, some people won’t reply. Some messages will get ignored. Some won’t lead to anything. And that’s okay. It’s not personal. Everyone’s busy, and timing and consistency matters. If you’re job hunting - focus less on directly asking for favors, and more on building meaningful conversations. It makes a difference. #jobsearch #internationalstudents #linkedin #networking #cfbr

How does networking turn into a job opportunity? We've all heard it before - networking is crucial for career growth and finding new job opportunities. But how do you tap into your network authentically without coming across as simply using connections? Truthfully build relationships that are built on mutual understanding and value exchange. Networking was never a one-way street and should be done with long-term intentions. Here are a few things I did that allowed me to turn relationships into career opportunities: 1. Provide Value First - Before asking for ANYTHING, see how you can help. This can be done through sharing industry insights, personal contacts, or sharing your expertise on a subject matter pro bono. 2. Express Authentic Interest - It's obvious when you're faking it! Learn their goals, interests, and pain points and ask thoughtful questions to have real conversations about more than just work. 3. Stay Top-of-Mind - Share updates on projects you're working on, milestones you've hit, or just check in periodically. This allows you to stay present in conversation. 4. Pay it Forward - Make intros between connections who could benefit each other, without the expectancy of something in return. Adopt the habit of giving just to give! These tips have allowed me to turn my network into my career superpower, supporting personal and professional goals. Drop some of your tips for building genuine relationships in the comments. #Networking #BlackLinkedIn

So how exactly do you build your network with contacts at your dream companies, if you don't know people that currently work there? It is actually pretty easy. As I said in my last post, I am an introvert and don't think anyone would consider me a natural networker, but I've got friends at a bunch of different great companies that I met on this platform. You can easily do the same. So, first, you have to find people in your desired role at your dream companies. You can do a search on LinkedIn for "Google Software Engineer" or "Meta Privacy Engineer" or "Netflix Security Engineer" and you should get a bunch of folks in those roles. So, how do you connect with them? I usually look through the profiles and find some commonality in their profiles. I send a connection request with a note talking about the common thread, like, "Hey, I see you worked at PwC, I would love to hear about your transition to Dream Company" or even, "Hey, I see you went to UGA, I know you guys beat our football team every year, but I'd love to talk to a fellow SEC grad about Dream Company." The common thread approach will usually get you a response back. You can then maybe setup a coffee chat or just ask them questions about working at Dream Company. It will at least start to build that relationship. Do not immediately send your resume and say hey do you know if Dream Company is hiring in privacy. That is unlikely to get you a positive result. So what if you really can't find a common thread, usually even something as simple as, "Hey, I am passionate about privacy, and love connecting with likeminded folks particularly in companies I deeply admire such as Dream Company." That may not get you a response back. But, once you have the connection, you can start building that relationship. The best time to build out your network is when you are not currently on the job hunt. You have the luxury then of actually building out these relationships. So, how do you get a referral once you have started a relationship? First, find a specific job that interests you. Then send an email to your new friend and say, "Hey, I am really interested in job posting 157321 and it aligns with background for the following reasons..." They will usually offer to make a referral at this point if they agree that your resume actually aligns with the posting. This is a much better approach than sending your resume and saying "Hey are you guys hiring in privacy.." Because, at large companies, folks do not know all of the openings out there and if they don't know you well, they aren't going to search for you. So find the job first and then reach out. One other thing, if you want a referral, do not apply for the role before you reach out to your contact. Typically, a referral cannot be made if the individual has already applied for the job. So, go out there and build your network this holiday season! Grateful to have all of you in my network.