This first-person article is based on a conversation with Austin content creator Alexander Smith. Business Insider has verified his identity and previous employment history. The following content has been edited and polished.
I have worked in the technology industry for about eight years, having held positions at Facebook and Google. During my university years, I also interned at MSNBC and in the White House during President Obama's administration.
In an era of artificial intelligence, layoffs, and increasing competition across all industries, the way of managing one's network has changed significantly compared to 10 or even 15 years ago. Having a strong resume and application materials is one thing, but getting them in front of key decision-makers is another matter altogether.
I got my job at Google through networking, which also helped me get into Facebook. I don't think applying to multiple places has completely become ineffective; I've succeeded using this method before as well. However, the job market competition is much fiercer now, especially in the tech industry. Sometimes, even though candidates have strong qualifications, they still can't make it to the interview stage because there are simply too many applicants.
Many people only think about building their network when they are in urgent need of a job. Of course, I believe that if you need a job next week, it is still possible to succeed through networking, but it will be much more difficult.
It is very important to treat networking as a long-term strategy. I hope people will view networking as something similar to investing in a 401(k) plan. The habits and relationships you build will eventually pay off, but you must invest time and effort into it.
Maintain LinkedIn active
You can completely establish and develop your network of contacts, as well as build a personal brand, without having to become a content creator.
Sometimes, people recognize me when I contact them because of the content I share on LinkedIn. I have also received proactive contacts from recruiters from large companies. Building a personal brand is very helpful, as it often serves as a great starting point for initiating conversations.
Maintain sincerity.
Some people think that networking is very formal and constrained, but you can also build connections on a personal level and find common interests. That makes it more enjoyable and less off-putting. For example, a few months ago, I talked with someone about Kasey Musgraves and her new album. I also discussed travel and relaxation with someone who was on vacation.
I also believe that finding personal connection points helps to make you more human. If you can identify these connection points, it will be easier for you to stand out and it will show that you are truly paying attention to the other person.
Maintain empathy
If you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed, it might sometimes be a sign that you're trying to force a connection that doesn't actually exist, or that you asked for too much in your first message.
Networking is really difficult. Even if the messages you send are very targeted and you’ve done thorough research, people are still very busy. Everyone has work, family, hobbies, and countless other things to deal with every day.
If you send 20 messages and only a few people reply in the end, don't take it to heart.
I remind myself to be empathetic and tell myself, “I know this person has a lot on their hands, so if I don’t get a response, I won’t take it personally.” That’s been very helpful for me.
Aim at the right people.
Sometimes, people tend to reach out more to those who frequently appear in the LinkedIn dynamics. For example, you might repeatedly see the same recruiters posting job information, or content creators talking about job hunting.
I strongly encourage everyone to reach out to those who are not so active on LinkedIn. Many professionals do not often post on LinkedIn, and I think people often forget that a large portion of their network is not bombarded with information.
Sometimes, people also reach out to people who are not related to their own career paths. When I was working at Google and Facebook, many software engineers and data analysts would seek career advice from me, even though I was in a non-technical role at that time. I wasn't the right person to give them advice on how to prepare for interviews.
Additionally, just because someone works at a big company that you're interested in doesn't mean they are the best fit for you. This is also why it's very important to do your homework in advance.
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