Networking

I used to be awful at networking. Then I discovered creative ways to add value that allowed me to connect with influencers, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. Here are 10 of my favorites: 1. Share a piece of their advice with your team, friends, or class (then tell them what you did). 2. Ask them for advice, then take action on it and follow up with your results. 3. Share recommendations for a common personal interest. 4. Consistently engage with their content on social media. 5. Offer to have them come speak to your team or class. 6. Write a valuable comment or post and tag them in it. 7. Ask to interview them for a blog post or podcast. 8. Write a recommendation for them on LinkedIn. 9. Make a mutually beneficial introduction. 10. Compliment them on a career change. The best part? Anyone can use these. No experience required.

I was rejected not one, not two, but DOZENS of times when applying for internships going into my junior year of college. To be honest, I had given up. I was discouraged, heartbroken, and in extreme distress😭 I vowed that I would NEVER receive rejections like that again. Sure enough that next Summer not only did I receive multiple internship offers, but I had my dream internship offer. Here’s what I did differently: 1️⃣Turned on job notifications on LinkedIn When I tell you all this made finding internships 5x easier! Because I was looking for internships in DEI at the time, I went to the LinkedIn jobs tab searched “DEI Intern” filtered the experience level specifically by “internships” and “entry level” roles then toggled on the “get job alerts for this search” button at the bottom of the page. After that, every time a new role was added to LinkedIn that matched my search, I was notified! 2️⃣Created a company fast facts sheet This was SO helpful! I wrote down everything that I needed to know about the company from their core values and mission to their current initiatives and projects. I also did a deep dive into the LinkedIn profiles of my interviewers and compiled key points of their roles and responsibilities. I studied this sheet daily so I would be able to leverage some of the information during my interview P.S- It helps if you make the sheet fun and decorative 3️⃣ Tailored my resume and my cover letter to each role As soon as I learned how applicant tracking systems (ATS) work, I did whatever I could to try and beat the system. I found that the cheat code was aligning my resume and cover letter to match key words in the job description. When I tell y’all that this hack changed my life! Tailor those resumes y’all! 4️⃣Came prepared with solutions The goal is always to be one step ahead of your interviewer. When prepping for your interview, keep track of industry trends to find ways that you think the company could improve against their competitors. Then take it a step further and show how you could use your skills to help make that improvement. When asked if you have any questions at the end of the interview try saying something like this: “When doing my research I noticed that Company X doesn’t have [fill in the blank with a process, system, program, etc]. I have skill X, Y, Z relevant to implementing this. Is this something that is in the works or an idea that your team would potentially be interested in?” 5️⃣Tracked my applications This was a game changer! I created an excel sheet that I used to keep track of when I applied to internships so I could monitor the timeline of the process as I proceeded (or didn’t lol) to the next rounds. ——————————————————————- What are some things you’ve done in your internship search that have made a difference? #tipswithtaylor #internships #dreaminternship #internships2024 #collegestudents #intern #techinternship

Building a relationship > Blindly networking Quality is always better than quantity while networking. And how do you focus on quality? ✨ - Carefully pick the people you reach out to. - When they add you to your network, follow up with them. - Introduce yourself. Share how they can add value to your career. - Be very specific on what topic you need help on. - When you ask, think of the things you can give to them. - If you’re scheduling a call, set a clear agenda for the call. - After the call, make sure you send a thank you message. - Follow up every 3-6 months with updates. And, do you know how you can stand out? Give before you ask! 💡 When I was meeting a Senior PM who also happened to be content creator, I offered to design her LinkedIn banner. She did not expect this and I bet she still remembers me. 💡 One of the Group PMs I was meeting was starting out with content on Youtube so when we met we talked about product management but when he asked about content creation - I shared my content creation experience with him. Most of the times we think we won’t be able to add value to someone senior to us. But all of us have unique capabilities that can add value to others. So focus on adding 10 people to you network who will vouch for you uncountable times instead of 100 people who will not add any value. Hope this helps! In the next post, let’s talk about things to do on a networking call. #career #students #networking #linkedin

"I've never seen one like this" they said at LinkedIn when handing the below network map to me about 5 months before my retirement from the Army The colors are grouped by industry, location, role, veteran status, recruiters And I was VERY #intentional about growing my network You see...I learned at a job fair that I lacked industry knowledge & relationships (being told "no" 41 times in a row does that to you 😅) And so I 1 - kind of figured out what I wanted to do 2 - did some gap analysis on where I needed relationships 3 - conducted advanced searches to find people I had something (anything) in common with from those specific groups (colors on the map) 4 - sent them connection requests with a personal note Every Single Day Some didn't answer But all the ones on the map did And tucked away in that map are the conversations that led to my first and second post-military jobs But these connections also had something in common with me, so many engaged on my content...and helped me become a 2x Top Voice And brought the relationships that enabled me to create HireMilitary #quinnsights Look #Consistency is the key to LinkedIn success (there isn't an easy button) Consistently updating your profile (including updating pictures so we recognize you) Consistently posting content (so we know who the heck you are or what you do) -and- Consistently grow your network with people that care about the 💩 you talk about or things you work on My 5-10 minute recommendation to build social capital on LinkedIn? Send 10x connection requests every day Comment on 5+ posts Post 2-3x a week Thoughts? Questions? Did you do something similar?

Stop networking like everyone else. The most connected people do this instead: Everyone's chasing the same playbook. Coffee meetings. Business cards. Conference small talk. But the relationships that actually move careers forward happen differently. Real influence comes from depth, not breadth. 7 unconventional networking moves that actually work 👇🏼 1) Send voice messages instead of texts ↳ 30-second voice note feels more personal than any emoji 2) Share others' wins publicly ↳ Celebrate their successes openly, not just in private DMs 3) Be the person who remembers birthdays ↳ Set a calendar reminder - personal touch in a digital world 4) Create value for their network, not just them ↳ Invite them to events, groups, or opportunities that benefit their goals 5) Be vulnerable about your own challenges ↳ Share struggles, not just highlights - authenticity builds deeper bonds 6) Follow up on things they mentioned months ago ↳ "How did that presentation go?" shows you actually listen and care 7) Choose quality time over quantity meetings ↳ Two meaningful conversations beat ten surface-level coffee chats The best networkers aren't the busiest. They're the most intentional. What's your next step toward meaningful connection this week? Share below 👇🏼 -- ♻️ Repost to help your network build influence through authentic connection 🔔 Follow me Dr. Carolyn Frost for more on professional success with integrity

It’s crazy that just two years ago I was an associate with the Vikings & just starting my sports career. I hope I can share some advice on here that can be helpful to those looking to get internships or just get into the sports business in general. (Disclaimer: this is from MY personal experience & perspective & might not work for everyone). My advice today is: copy & paste won’t win the race. Here’s what I mean by that: I know at some point, someone gave you a template for you to plug and play when you are reaching out. Here’s why you should NOT use it: 1. We can tell it is a template. I promise you we notice and plug & play doesn’t create results in our industry. 2. We are human beings and we would like to be treated as such versus treated as someone you would like to use to “pick their brain” (whatever that means). 3. It usually lacks authenticity, intentionality, and attention to detail. I couldn’t tell you the number of messages I have received where it is obvious the person has no idea what I do and, honestly, I don’t know if they even care to which is disheartening. 4. The sports industry is really busy, especially right now. If most folks are going to respond, it’s going to be with someone trying to build a relationship. Here’s what you should do instead: 1. Less sometimes is more. Sending out 100 cold messages is probably not a better method than reaching out to 10 people that relate to you or your career goals in some way (job function, schooling, identities, etc). 2. Be SPECIFIC in your ask. Saying you want to “hear about someone’s experience” is extremely vague. What EXACTLY do you want out of your interaction/relationship with this person (it should be more than just get a job because at the end of the day you have to do that yourself). Narrow it down to 2-3 specific things you would like to talk to them about. 4. Be PERSONABLE. Dont be afraid to make a joke. Share things about yourself. Find a connection that goes beyond just a similar field of interest. Explain why you reached out to them specifically. Again, this person is more than their job. I hope this helps at least one person!

✨Magical✨ Linkedin Profile Tip #1: Profile pic and cover photo Your profile picture is the first thing that people will see and the most recognizable indicator of your activity on this platform. You want this to be a picture that represents you on your best day. Some particulars to consider: 1. It doesn't have to be centered in the circle or straight on. You can be angled, slightly in motion or in a relaxed pose. 2. You want your face to be visible. People want to see who they are interacting with. 3. What is the face you make when you meet someone who you’re happy to meet? That's the face you want to make. 4. Wear something professionally appropriate for your industry - whatever that is. (I am wearing a shirt with a dragon on it.) 5. Color - some people prefer black and white, but I swear that color is more recognizable in a sea of black and white photos. If black and white is part of your brand/vibe/design, then go for it, just be intentional. 5. Background - you have options here. Greenery, urban, outside, inside. Just make sure it's not distracting. The key to the profile pic is to keep it consistent. If you feel inclined to change it, just don't do it too often. We are building visual equity here. If your profile picture is the cover of your book, the cover photo is the preface. Pick something that represents you and your work - it should capture a vibe, a feeling, and ideally align with your industry. It should be visually interesting and be representative of the professional brand you wish to exude. Your cover photo can change more often than your profile pic. You can use it to show projects you've recently worked on and changing representations of your industry. (I posted last week offering to review LinkedIn profiles to help people make them ✨magical✨ in the wake of layoffs. And then approximately 77 people reached out for help. And since I don't have the capacity to get back to everyone individually with the urgency I would like, I decided to share some tips in the form of content. There is too much detail for one post, so this will be a series that I will post over the upcoming week. Each post will focus on an area of the profile. These tips are thoughts I have aggregated through my own activity on the platform. Take what is valuable for you, and ditch the rest.)

I had a moment the other week where I gave a literal "elevator pitch." On-site with a big account, and a 6-figure deal in my pipeline. (Sidenote: it's always worth the travel to go see a big account.) I spent the day meeting with VP Sales, RevOps, Enablement, a whole group. But the one key person I hadn't yet met was their CRO. Until I was on my way to catch an Uber back to the airport, and he steps into the elevator. (He has no clue who I am or why I'm there at this point.) I say hi, he says hi. Then I mention he's built a sharp team, and I got a chance to meet them all. So naturally, he asks the old, "So what do you do?" question. This is my favorite way to answer that, with a simple framework you can use for your own "elevator pitch." (It's still comical to me we were in an actual elevator.) ______ (1) You know how ___________? ^ setup the situation / problem you focus on. (2) Well, you’re probably doing X, and it works really well. But it can’t Y. ^ you want them to feel like, "Oh man, you're so right" after sharing this. (3) So we let you do X and Y. How are you thinking about this? ^ you did a good job here if you get some version of "tell me more" after, and personally, I like ending with a question. _____ For me, that sounded like: (1) You know how buying teams have to sell you to their own execs, when your reps aren't in the room? (2) Well, you already have a Value Team writing business cases to help buyers in $1M+ deals, which works. But it's hard to scale downmarket. (3) So we let Commercial / MM reps generate these, with exec summaries not just ROI models. Which means you get the win rate you do upmarket — in a process that keeps pace with higher velocity deals. How are you thinking about business cases in MM? _____ Works just as well outside of an elevator too. Give it a shot this week.

I get 400+ connection requests every week. 99% make the same mistakes. Only 1% get it right. Here’s how you can be that 1%. Before I preach: I’ve also made all these mistakes. I’m no exception. But, by now I’ve learned from it. I hope this post helps you avoid them. ❌ SENDING REQUESTS WITHOUT A NOTE. 99% of connection requests I get have no note. By adding no note, you’re asking the other person to spend at least 30 seconds looking at your profile title, understanding what you do, & decoding whether that’s relevant. Sure, they can do it for 10 people. But not 100+. You’re wasting an opportunity EVERY time you send a request without a note. ✅ SEND A NOTE, EVEN IF IT'S 2 SENTENCES. Forget writing detailed & specific notes. Just write 2 sentences. “Hi Pooja! I enjoyed reading your recent post on how to send connection requests. Now, I’d love to follow along your journey and hopefully contribute in a meaningful way.” That’s it. BOOM. You just 5x-ed your acceptance rate. ❌ ASKING FOR A "20-MIN CALL" No, most people don’t have time for a “20-min call.” I don’t have time for a “20-min call.” Because you haven’t convinced me what’s in it for me. Instead, here’s an idea: ✅ ASK, "HOW CAN I HELP?" That’s it. So simple. “Hi Pooja! I enjoyed reading your recent post on how to send connection requests. I also see you publish regularly. I’d love to follow along your journey. Also, if I can help in anyway, just let me know.” I will 1000% accept a request with such a note. Most people would. Build a relationship before asking for more. ❌ SENDING AN ESSAY FOR A REQUEST By sending long essay messages, you’ve made 3 mistakes: - You wasted your time - The other person probably didn’t read it - Your request got lost in the abyss ✅ SENDING A SHORT, SPECIFIC REQUEST WITH A COMPELLING WHY Make it easy for the other person to help you. Keep your message short, specific, and give them a REASON to help you. “Hi Pooja! I’ve read most of your posts on LinkedIn. There’s so much value in them. Thank you. I aspire to publish my book next year. Can you point me to any resources/tools that was helpful for you? If you already have it written down somewhere, let me know. P.S. I can help you compile a post on this if you’d like!” Now, you’ve given me 3 reasons to help you: - You’ve done your homework in reading my posts - You have a clear goal in mind - You already offered value in your “P.S.” I get it. All this is extra work. It takes time. But, these few minutes will make or break your chance to find your co-founder, next job, or even a best friend. If this helped you, please re-share the post and help your network! 👉 And, follow me if you'd like more of this. I publish a resource every day. P.S. Wanna send me a connection request? Now you know how to do it 😉 #writing #freeresources #unshackled #advice #linkedin

Are your networking convos going nowhere?  Then, you are likely not asking the right questions at the end of the chat. So let me fix this for ya. Here are my favorite end-of-chit-chat questions to make sure you keep the new connections moving forward. ⭐ Expanding Your Network: "Based on our conversation, who else would you recommend I speak with to gain further insights into this field?" ⭐ Gaining Deeper Industry Insight: "Are there any groups, associations, or forums you think I should join to connect with other professionals in this field?" ⭐ Understanding Company Culture: "Who in your organization has been pivotal to your understanding of the company culture, and might they be open to a discussion?" ⭐ Exploring Opportunities: "In your opinion, which companies or teams are doing exciting work in this space that I should explore further?" ⭐ Finding Mentors and Advisors: "I'm interested in finding a mentor in the field. Is there someone whose career path you admire and who might be open to a mentorship conversation?" ⭐ Learning About Roles and Functions: "Which colleagues of yours have taken interesting paths or roles that you think I could learn from?" ⭐ Asking for Introductions: "Would you be comfortable introducing me to anyone in your network who you think could provide additional perspective on my job search?" ⭐ Keeping the Conversation Going: "What events or meetups would you suggest I attend to meet like-minded professionals in this industry?" ⭐ Following Industry Developments: "Are there any upcoming industry events or webinars that you think would be beneficial for someone in my position to attend?" ⭐ Staying in Touch: "How can I best keep in touch with you as I continue exploring this field and potentially seek your advice again in the future?" So...will you use these banging questions in your next networking chat? Then drop a "YEAH" Lil Jon style in the comments below. #networking #networkingtips