"Networking That Works"

It’s not about collecting contacts.

I’m going to be direct with you about networking that works because too many people waste time on advice that sounds good but doesn’t work. What follows is what I’ve seen actually make a difference over fifteen years of recruiting.

First, understand that nobody owes you a job, an interview, or even a response. The market is competitive, employers are busy, and your application is one of dozens or hundreds. This isn’t pessimism – it’s context. Operating from a place of entitlement will hurt you. Operating from a place of awareness will help.

Second, recognise that hiring is a risk-reduction exercise, not a talent-identification one. Employers aren’t looking for the best person. They’re looking for the best person who won’t cause problems. Every question they ask, every reference they check, every hesitation they feel – it’s all about risk. Make yourself feel like a safe choice, not just an impressive one.

Third, understand that timing matters enormously. The same candidate can be perfect one month and wrong three months later, purely based on what’s happening inside the company. Budget cycles, team changes, strategic shifts – these invisible factors affect your chances more than your CV does. Don’t take it personally when things don’t work out. It’s often not about you.

What Actually Moves The Needle

Specificity. Vague answers get vague results. When you can point to exact numbers, concrete examples, and specific situations, you become more credible. ‘I improved sales’ means nothing. ‘I increased monthly recurring revenue by 23% over six months by implementing a new outreach process’ means something.

Relevance. Not everything on your CV matters for every role. Learn to emphasise what’s relevant and minimise what isn’t. The interviewer doesn’t need your complete history; they need to understand why you’re right for this specific job.

Curiosity. Ask questions that show you’ve thought about the role beyond the job description. What are the biggest challenges? What does success look like at six months? Why is this role open? These questions show engagement and help you evaluate whether you actually want the job.

Follow-through. Do what you say you’ll do, when you say you’ll do it. Send the follow-up email the same day. Provide the references when asked, not three days later. Small reliability signals add up to big trust.

None of this is complicated. But doing it consistently, interview after interview, application after application – that’s where most people fail. Be the exception.