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Networking Advice- Changing Industries
I’ve worked with a job search coach who advocates for finding secondary LinkedIn connections related to your target companies to network with to help get your foot in the door. I’ve done telecommunications for almost 20 years and am looking to get into software/Saas or technology driven service companies. My current connections are almost all in my original industry and so are most of their connections. When I do find people in relevant companies, one of two things happens- 1. They’ll accept my connection request. I send them a direct message. They look at my profile and don’t respond at all. 2. After sending a connection request they’ll look at my profile a couple of times and not connect. Any advice of a better way to go about this?
Elyse Shermer
279
12/05/20 at 4:17PM UTC
Hi Charity- I was trying to pivot into a different industry as well before the pandemic. What worked for me was not reaching out via linked in but emailing the key people directly asking for an informational interview. This way its just a conversation and they get to know who you are . you can follow up on linking to them on Linked in and send them your resume. good luck!
Shari ToronAlways Learning & Sharing Knowledge
15
12/05/20 at 3:51PM UTC
Hi Charity--I made a career change after 25 years in publishing to an IT firm. I can tell you networking is key. LinkedIn is not the only place to find connections. Join some groups. You might want to take a look at LunchClub.com or Pat Romboletti Bullet Proof Your Career--she offers weekly sessions where there are about 600+ people on the Zoom call and we all shares our LinkedIn contact info and reach out to certain people after for a call. She provides you with the career strategies you need and gives you the motivation we all need to find the next job. I am now pivoting again this time to the Edtech space and I am doing it by networking. Please feel free to reach out to me if you want to further discuss.
Anonymous
12/05/20 at 3:06PM UTC
Yep. LinkedIn is part of the equation but a tiny part. Get out, go places, meet people ... so you can make authentic connections. Anything short of that will not produce what you need.
How do I know this? Because I did it naturally/authentically the right way in the first part of my life and tried to take a shortcut during my career transition later in life. Failed miserably. Of course, I just don’t have what it takes anymore to constantly mingle and be around other people, so 'c'est la vie'.
In some ways, the art of building solid, authentic connections has been lost. During a pandemic, it’s nearly impossible. Cut yourself some slack and try again when this is over.
Alexandra Barnard
13
12/05/20 at 2:35PM UTC (Edited)
Hi Charity - I recently went through a similar situation. I joined some SaaS women's networking groups on LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. New job openings were frequently posted exclusively to the group and members were very open to having conversations. I would reach out not only about positions posted, but also to members that worked at companies I was interested in, to learn more about their positions and company. I found it was a good way to get my name out there and know what to look for when the right opportunity came along. Hope this helps!
KelliHelps senior-level women make career changes
1.48k
12/04/20 at 8:52PM UTC
Hi Charity - I think you're better off finding different Slack-like communities to join. A lot of hiring managers hang out in there. For example, Ladies Get Paid is one to try. And I'm sure there are a ton of SaaS slack groups. Most have threads specific to job opportunities and recruiters or even hiring managers are the ones posting. I would also look at Elpha. All free communities like FGB!
