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Stay in touch with your advocates and ‘weak work’ contacts to have success in your job search
I get a LOT of questions about how to best leverage one’s network in job searching. We’ve all heard the adage that ‘weak ties’ help you find jobs -- but it’s not quite true anymore. These days, you need to leverage both your strong advocates and your ‘weak work’ contacts to be successful in today’s job market.
Let’s define these two types of contacts.
Strong advocates are individuals who know you well and can speak in specific detail about your work. These can be current or former managers, direct colleagues, or even those who have volunteered with you on a significant project.
‘Weak work’ contacts are individuals who know you and your work, but probably not very well. You may have only had a brief interaction with them, or they may be someone you met via a work-related networking event.
Why keep in touch with both types of contacts?
Strong advocates are important as companies are always seeking references, and SAs can provide a strong reference. These individuals are also invested in your success, and can help you with in-depth advice that could help you make it through an interview process.
‘Weak work’ contacts are also important as they can let you know about roles at similar companies, often moving in similar circles as you do. Often, these are people who will become future colleagues again or future collaborators, so staying in touch can be useful for both of your careers.
How do you keep someone as an advocate or build a stronger bond with a ‘weak work’ contact? Stay in regular contact with them and show gratitude.
Did you know that the vast majority of people who network during their job search never follow-up with anyone they networked with? Don’t let that be you!
If you're still in your job search process, send a quick 1-2 line update to just let your contacts know what’s happening. Especially if it’s been a few months, they will appreciate the quick note, updating them either about your status with their company or your general search. No real ask is included - just an update & a quick thanks for reading.
Sometimes it might yield a spontaneous offer of help. But its purpose is to lay the groundwork for growing and maintaining this relationship - and to show it's not just a transactional interaction.
If you’ve received and/or accepted an offer, make sure you follow up with ALL the people you networked with, especially if they are in the company that gave you an offer.
No one does this -- so you’ll stand out!
Say thank you for their help, mentorship, guidance, regardless of the level of support they offered. Tell them if anything specific that they did was particularly helpful. If you didn’t accept an offer with their company (and chose to go elsewhere), still thank them!
If they went above and beyond to help you, you could consider a gift (like a nice candle or flowers or a pen or a college-related item if you’re a recent grad). A nice thank you email or handwritten note are also well-received.
If you are joining their organization, ask for a meeting to discuss tips on how to be successful within their organization. If you are going elsewhere, ask them for one tip on how to be successful when joining a new team. Either way, you’ll be building the relationship to show you value their mentorship outside of just the job search process.
