This simple trick is all you need to build a better network!
My secret to build an amazing network…the right way.
Are you looking for an effective way to build a network of professionals that can help you find a job, give you career advice, and support your personal growth? Discover my secret for making it happen!
I’m passionate about this topic because I struggled networking early in my career and wish I knew then what I know now. I also know there are hundreds of clickbait articles about networking on LinkedIn… so I leaned into it. I had fun generating clickbait-style titles and headlines with ChatGPT and laying it on thiiiick.
Everyone always tells you to network when you start out as a designer. You join LinkedIn, Dribbble, and as many Slack groups you can find. You follow design influencers and connect with as many designers in your city or field of interest. You repost interesting articles and comment on others' hot takes. Does this sound familiar? I'm sure it does; I did it all too.
But here's a not-so-hot take: Your Linkedin connections might be nothing more than a vanity metric.
How many of your 500+ Linkedin connections would actually recommend you for a role? Or meet you for coffee? If you can count more than 50 people that would recommend you for a job, congratulations! You can stop reading now. But if you feel a bit of sadness counting those people, don't worry, we'll get through this together.
Your real network is made up of people that would go out on a limb for you.
Having tons of Linkedin connections won't help if they don't know anything about you. But if you take the time to cultivate real, human relationships, you'll start to see the real magic happen. This can be a challenge if you're just getting started and haven't met many people in the industry.
My network is mostly made up of folks I’ve worked with, gone to school with, or met through design meet-ups. I’m lucky to have gone to design school and been in the industry long enough to know some amazingly talented and kind people. But if you're just getting started, here's how you can build a network of people who will care about you:
Find mentors. Have you had a great boss or coworker you admire? Ask them if they’d be interested in mentorship. You’ll be surprised at how generous people are with their time and their desire to help other designers. A simple lunch or coffee might suffice if they’re nervous about the commitment. New to the industry? Join ADPList or another mentorship platform to start long-term mentorship with someone that does what you want to do. (I’m actually an ADPList mentor, and I'm excited about their new long-term mentorship feature!)
Get involved. Join local industry meetups or Slack groups but don’t be a passive member. Actively engage with the community by sharing your work, talking about the industry, and seeking/giving feedback. Share who you are and the work you do so others can decide if you’re someone they’d want to work with. (Hint: don’t be an asshole.)
Connect. Connect. Connect*. Be the person that reaches out for coffee, lunch, or a Zoom meeting. Reach out to people that you know and admire but don’t do it because they can help you get a job or help improve your resume. Do it because you genuinely want to talk to them and learn from them. Please don’t wait for the perfect time, get discouraged, or psych yourself out because they might be busy. In the past, I’ve struggled to make cold connections because of social anxiety (see my previous article) but am always open to chatting with most people who reach out to me. Others probably have a similar mindset and approach.
*Have grace if they don’t respond or can’t meet. Just try again later or just move on.
Lean into your strengths.
I don’t do well with small talk or chit-chat and Im a bit of a slow burn. That’s ok–I’m glad I grow on people over time. Networking is a lot easier when you can find common ground. I can talk about problems I’m solving at work, discuss the Twitter rebrand (Por qué, Elon? Por qué?!), share a book or podcast recommendation, or even get personal about family and my upbringing in P.R.
You do you! What makes you interesting or unique? What topics are you curious or want to learn more about? Lean in, be open, be honest, and genuine. Authenticity is crucial for you to build deeper connections.
Building a network can be daunting, but with a bit of effort and a lot of grace, you can create meaningful connections that can help you in your design career. Reach out, be yourself, and don't be afraid to fail. Good luck!