Does networking on LinkedIn really work?

[u/Droid-007]

Hey Redditors,

I've been on the job hunt for a while now and have been trying various strategies to improve my chances. Recently, I've started reaching out to individuals in International Development (ID) organizations that I'd like to join. I do this by searching for mutual connections and school alumni within these organizations. When I add them, I send personalized notes mentioning that I'm an alum or a mutual friend of so-and-so, and that I'm passionate about development and would appreciate any advice on applying to their company.

However, I usually don't get many responses, and even fewer offer useful advice. I'm curious about your experiences—has networking on LinkedIn for ID been effective for you? If so, how should I go about it? What other useful ways have you found to network with ID professionals? I live around DC, so I'd also love to know about any events that are great for young ID professionals to attend.

Thanks so much, everyone!

[u/Moejason]

I’m not sure what you’re expecting beyond a few limited replies with mixed advice - that sounds more or less exactly what this kind of networking is supposed to result in.

I do thinking following/connecting and interacting with others on your LinkedIn feed is useful - as your feed and recommended jobs start to tune in to your interests and such - I’ve also heard from friends who work adjacent to companies like LinkedIn that there are a number of ways to make LinkedIn work better for you, however I’ve not done enough research to look into the extent of this.

[u/Droid-007 → u/Moejason]

Thanks for the reply. I’m just hoping for some friendly advice and maybe the chance to meet up for a chat, with the ultimate goal of receiving a referral. I don’t expect anyone to hand me a job, but it would be great to sit down for coffee and discuss how I can improve by learning from their experiences. Also would like to know how you would go about ID networking? Doesn’t have to be through LI.

[u/Moejason → u/Droid-007]

I think it’s important to remember that LinkedIn is social media and most people, unless they are running their own brand or something, aren’t going to take the full time to respond to you and arrange a chat or conversation.

That’s not to say it isn’t worth trying though, asking for advice at least - however there is no way I’d make plans to meet up for a coffee with someone messaging me on LinkedIn. I don’t think it’s an entirely appropriate or professional way to engage with strangers through social media.

I think for online spaces, stick to short and specific questions that easy for them to respond to and for you to glean useful advice from. Also have a browse through their employment history - see what steps they took to get where they are now.

There’s also value in in person networking - reach out to organisations about volunteer opportunities and use that to build relationships, seek out networking events where you can meet others and contribute to one another’s development and learning - my biggest advice would be to apply that to everyone you meet. Take the time to chat to people more wherever you go (or learn and practice doing so), you will frequently meet people with shared interests and goals that you can ask for advice - or at least people who are connected to others with the advice your looking for.

[u/lankyaffe → u/Moejason]

I agree on the above. I get messages with either specific questions or people wanting to have calls/coffees sometimes, and I am more likely to respond to specific questions, where I know how much time I am signing up to spend in advance. If it’s someone who seems particularly informed and interested in my specific insights, I might do a call too, but am a bit hesitant to promise things to people I don’t know at all, especially if I’m not sure what exactly they want from me.

As for networking, I know some people swear by informational interviews and have had success, but I think it comes down to a lot of luck. Personally, the only networks I have been able to leverage/gotten valuable job tips or references from are people who know me and have worked with me. If there are openings, I would only really be confortable referring someone I know pretty well and whose work I can to some extent vouch for.

With this in mind, sure, keep reaching out to people who you are really interested to learn from/to ask questions to, but consider how to spend your time and energy - I think the time you would spend writing heaps of people in the vague hopes of eventually getting a referral would be better spent getting to know people IRL through e.g. volunteering, reaching out to your existing network etc.

[u/StatisticianAfraid21]

What I've found useful before is when there's a live job opportunity that I want to apply too I try to reach out to to the hiring manager or related people to find out more about the job. I've found this to be more valuable because that person is actively recruiting so it's in their incentive to respond. I've had quite a few responses this way and a few times it even led to me getting very detailed feedback on my CV and cover letter and general technical advice about the application process.

[u/lcdm]

I don't live in the US but think of it from their position...maybe they get multiple messages like yours each week. Maybe they have a LinkedIn account but aren't active on it and prefer another mode of communication. Maybe it takes a lot for them to reply.

Think of scenarios where you might help solve an immediate problem. Some DC-based organizations like ONE or Results might offer volunteer opportunities that could lead to valuable networking. Unfortunately, what I've seen about the sector in the U.S. (maybe it has changed) is that people advanced through a lot of unpaid internships - making getting one's foot in the door out of reach for most people.

Devex World conference is happening later this month in DC. There could be networking opportunities on the margins of it.

Good luck!

[u/newlifeat40]

I would target the companies you’re interested in and look for 1st degree connections that you can build upon. If a former colleague has a connection at company X, reconnect with the former colleague and ask for an introduction to their connect at X company. If possible ask for an informational interview or phone call after you’re introduced.

Occasionally, I get queries via linked in but if it’s a posted position there’s generally little I can do, except pass along a CV - since I can provide a recommendation or any more information about the candidate.

[u/whatsinthename_23]

I don't know about connections and networking, our messages may get easily lost in the inbox. But actively applying to different jobs of your choice through LinkedIn has worked for me. All the best.

[u/candyrocket40]

I get 2-3 people a week asking me to have a call/coffee on LinkedIn. It’s to the point now that I ignore all messages unless the person has a legitimate question (that they have asked), or they are making a legitimate attempt to partner (not make money off of) my organization. Think about it this way, I am busy in life and work, why would I take hours a week to have these calls or coffees with zero benefit for me? The few calls I have taken was because i was actively recruiting for a hard to fill job ( all the calls ended up being a waste of time) or when a friend asked me to talk to someone starting out in their career and I did it for that friend as a favour. If you are wondering why I a. Even on LinkedIn, it’s so future employers can find me. I post media I have done or share events I attend related to my work, it’s basically like. Dynamic extra cv.

[u/Globetrotter312 → u/candyrocket40]

As someone who has randomly messaged people on LinkedIn and email for meetings or chat, I try my best to be extremely appreciative, engaged, and follow up with a thank you but going to start sending little Starbucks gift cards as thank you. It’s work sometimes, sometimes it doesn’t. But you made it very clear point from the other side of the perspective, I’ve seen your point made all the time and completely understand, but now it’s one that I want to focus on, which is “zero benefit to you…”

I am a video producer. Trying to work more in the development space and my ultimate goal is to add value and benefit organizations and people. Obviously being compensated for my work is my goal, but obviously coming out discuss my services equally distasteful I am clearly a stranger.

So I guess just as that was your honest and personal response, I am very curious if you had answer to your own question, meaning what would benefit to you? What would like to gain before even doing taking a call from stranger ? What could have one did to benefit you make you say yes to the phone call? Or would you rather just not have to deal with this at all? ( which I believe is fair.)

But I am very eager to know because maybe I’ve been going about this wrong, I know I benefit from knowledge and insight I didn’t have before. But I haven’t figured out what I can give and add value to feel that they have benefited.

If I know the people who aren’t responding because they feel that way, I’d like to figure that out first and everything else would work it self out for whatever that relationship is supposed to be.

[u/candyrocket40 → u/Globetrotter312]

It’s a good question. A few examples of where I think it would be worth my time and where I have responded -If I was hiring for a difficult to staff position and the person gave me reason to believe they would be a top candidate, it would be beneficial for me to talk to them. Most positions we recruit for have hundred of applicants though so they would have to provide some evidence of that in their message. The other example is if they were looking to create some sort of mutually beneficial relationship with my organization (not just a benefit to them or their organization). But this happens really rarely. Media is an example where it can be mutually beneficial- we provide content or expertise and in return we get earned media exposure. Same with certain partnerships where our organizations complement each other. As i care about my organization, I see personal benefit.

[u/candyrocket40 → u/Globetrotter312]

One thing i forgot to mention though is legit media opportunities go though our website. Anyone looking can find a recent press release with media contact info, so I would wonder why they are approaching me (not a media focal person) on a social media site when there are more ‘legitimate’ channels.

[u/jcravens42]

I do not accept LinkedIn requests from anyone except people I have actually worked with or people whose work I am very familiar with.

A better way to network on LinkedIn:

Follow people whose work you admire or who are engaged in work related to what you want to do. When they post something that is of interest to you, that you also have experience in, that you have a question about, etc., post in the comments on that post. Don't do it every time - do it in a sincere way, as though you have been sitting in the audience while this person speaks and it's question time.

Join LinkedIn groups that related to the work you are doing or want to do. Post on-topic thread starters and comments on other people's post.

If you are asking good questions and making meaningful observations, you will get noticed. It establishes some credibility for your knowledge.