Missed Opportunity: Why Not Following Up Is a Job Seeker's Networking Downfall
I have been guilty of this networking mistake!
There were times when I did not follow up with networking contacts. I was too busy, didn't feel it was needed, or plain forgot.
What a missed opportunity.
Many job seekers do the same thing (and continue to do the same thing even when they are not looking for work).
Following up with your networking contacts is like tending to a garden – when you give it the regular care it needs, you're likely to see your relationships thrive over time, just like you'd water your plants to help them thrive.
The Power of Networking in Your Job Search
You can only review job boards and apply to what is posted. That certainly is a strategy, though one I don't recommend. Why? First, because only some positions are posted on job boards. This strategy could cause you to miss great opportunities. Secondly, even if a job is posted on a job board, you can give yourself an advantage over other applicants by having someone within (or without, like a vendor or client) recommend you for the role. While this does not guarantee you will get the position, it usually gets the employers' eyeballs on your resume ahead of others who applied. This can be a real advantage, especially in a very competitive job market.
Networking can help you find opportunities not advertised and give you an advantage over other applicants when someone refers you for a role. It also can help you build professional relationships. These relationships may not result in a new job, but the individual can be helpful to connect you with others, provide information, or even be a mentor.
With all the wonderful things that can result from networking, why wouldn't you do it?
The Forgotten Step With Networking: Following Up
So you say, yes, networking is important, and I will do it. But then, you forget an important step in the networking process: your follow-up. You put all the effort into reconnecting with your network and conducting cold outreach to add to your network, and then after the initial encounter, that is it. You do nothing more.
I term this networking malpractice.
Why?
You need to remember the reason to network. It is to build relationships. Relationships are not built on one-and-done encounters. They are built by interest and support. When you do not follow up, you are signaling to the other person that you do not have any continued interest in them. Why, then, should they have an opportunity right for you or have information valuable to you, would they reach back out to you?
If the shoe was on the other foot, would you?
Five Reasons Networking Following Up Is Important
If I haven't convinced you to change your thoughts about networking follow-up, then think of the benefits of these five actions:
Being Top-Of-Mind: We are all busy. By continuing to follow up with a networking contact, you stay top-of-mind. When the networking contact hears about an opportunity, they will think of you and contact you to let you know about it.
Your Building Trust: Through multiple interactions, we build trust with others. Your networking contacts will get to know you better and get a sense of who you are, which is important when people make recommendations, as their reputation for having good judgment is on the line.
Solidifying First Impressions: If your first interaction went well, that positive impression is reinforced when you make an effort to follow up.
Ability to Have More Substantive Conversations: Your first conversation may have been quick. Following up allows you to have longer and deeper conversations that can result in learning about job opportunities, getting offers to collaborate on projects, and even mentorship opportunities.
Show Commitment To Professional Development: When you follow up, you show your seriousness about your career and about building professional relationships.
Missed Follow-Up Opportunities
Here are some common missed opportunities.
The Forgotten Email: You meet someone at a networking happy hour who works at a company you are interested in. You exchange email addresses, but you never send the email as a follow-up. You have missed the opportunity to build a relationship with an individual who can give you an "in" at this employer.
The Dormant LinkedIn Connection: You send a connection request to the leader of a department of interest with an employer. They accept your request. You exchange DMs, they say they will keep you in mind for a role, and you never follow up after that exchange.
The Business Card Stack on Your Desk: You attended an industry conference and spoke to many people. Business cards were exchanged. You have a stack of them on your desk, but you have never reached out to these individuals.
The Lost Referral Opportunity: You hear from a colleague that someone in your circle may know about an opportunity. The person who tells you this doesn't have the contact's information on them and will need to find it. You expect the colleague to get back to you, but they get busy and forget. By the time you reach out and get the information, the position has already been filled.
Aspects of Effective Follow-Ups
Here are four things to consider when thinking about your networking follow-up strategy:
Timeliness: Don't wait too long to follow up. You will lose the initial excitement about the new relationship, and your new connection may cease to remember who you are.
Always Refer Back to The Initial Interaction: You always want to remind the connection how you met and a bit about that conversation. Details are always helpful to jog that person's memory if they forget.
Gratitude: Have an attitude of gratitude. Thank the person for their time and the information they provided you.
Next Steps: Show your interest in continuing this new relationship. Propose options for continuing the conversation. This can be a coffee meeting, support for a project, or connecting that person with someone in your network.
Ways to Follow Up
Here are four ways that you might want to follow up with a new connection:
After any important interaction, such as a networking get-together, conference, or one-on-one opportunity, send an email to thank the person for taking the time to speak with you.
The best practice is to mention details from the conversation. Note anything new you learned or even a different perspective the new contact gave.
Always invite your desire to keep the conversation going. Suggest ways that might happen, such as an in-person or virtual conversation.
On LinkedIn
Send a message when connecting and another one after your connection request is accepted.
Explain further your desire for the connection, as the initial invitation is limited to 300 characters. This could be an interest in the person's career, their work, their industry, or shared interests, like attending the same school or doing similar volunteer work.
Propose how the conversation can be continued, either with an in-person or virtual coffee or resource-sharing.
Offers of Support
There are many ways that you can support your new contact with their ventures. Ideas include:
Sharing articles, white papers, or other resources that you think may be of interest. Always send a short note to explain you came across the information and thought it could prove helpful.
Offer to do specific research in an area of interest of your new contact. Perhaps they were looking for a new dentist in your area or the best Italian restaurant. Help them with their quest.
Support them online. If they are a content creator, support them by liking, commenting, and sharing their content with others.
Check-In Messages
Put a calendar reminder to check in periodically.
Say you thought about them and were wondering how they were doing and if they had any updates about their career or anything they are working on.
Always offer support if you can be specific about the help you can offer, even better, as it is more likely to be taken upon. You can also mention you are available for advice or introductions to people of help in your network.
Examples 1:
Subject: Thank You for the Zoom Chat on XX/XX/20XX
Hello [First Name],
Thank you for making the time for our Zoom chat. I was very interested in your thoughts about working at [Company Name]. I learned a lot about the organization, especially the exciting projects you are working on.
I can understand why you like working there and the positive reputation I have heard. It was especially nice to hear about [Provide specific details about what the person said that was interesting about the organization or their work].
I would love to continue our connection and have additional conversations. Would you be interested in a follow-up conversation next month over Zoom? Here are some potential dates [Provide Dates]. I am happy to set it up.
In the meantime, would there be anyone in my network that you would be interested in meeting? I am happy to make the connection.
Again, Thank you for being generous with your time and sharing your thoughts about [Company Name]. I appreciate it.
Regards,
[Your Name]
Example 2:
Subject: It Was Wonderful Meeting You at [Networking Event]
Hi [First Name]
It was nice to meet you on [Date] at the [Name of Event]. It was my first time at the event, and I didn't know what to expect. Chatting with you was one of the highlights of the event. Your perspective about [Topic] was very insightful, especially about [Give Specifics].
I enjoy making new connections, but I also like to get to know my new connections better. Would you be interested in continuing our conversation with a coffee chat? Your latte is on me!
Thank you for taking the time to chat with me. It was great to meet you, and I look forward to staying connected!
Cheers,
[Your Name]
Conclusion
Most of us have been guilty of neglecting an essential networking step: following up. Like what happens when we forget to water our plants, not nurturing your networking connections can lead to missed chances and stunted growth. Follow-up usually takes only a little time. What it does take is intention.
So, don't let your networking efforts go to waste.
Shelley Piedmont is a Career Coach. She wants to help job seekers put their best foot forward by providing the tools for a successful job search. I help job seekers prepare for interviews. You can engage me to help you prep for any interview. Schedule a 15-minute no-obligation consultation.