The Truth About Networking That Helped My Clients Land $100K+ Roles
Networking gets a bad reputation. Most job seekers think it's fake, pushy, or reserved for extroverts with endless energy. I used to believe that too. But after working with hundreds of clients, I've seen that the biggest salary jumps come from one thing: real relationships. One client landed a $120K job after a 15-minute coffee chat. Another got fast-tracked to interviews just by reconnecting with a former manager.
Networking isn't about begging for jobs, it's about being seen, remembered, and recommended.
Here's how I teach it.
Why Job Seekers Avoid Networking (And Why That's a Mistake)
When I bring up networking to new clients, I often see the same reaction: a mix of dread and skepticism. Let's address the elephants in the room:
Fear of sounding desperate or awkward
"I don't want to seem like I'm just using people." This concern comes up in nearly every coaching session I conduct. The fear of appearing needy or opportunistic keeps many qualified professionals from reaching out to contacts who would be happy to help.
One client told me she'd rather send 200 applications into the void than ask her former colleague about opportunities at his company. Six months and countless rejections later, she finally made that call, and had an interview within a week.
Belief that job boards are more efficient
The illusion of efficiency is powerful. Sending out dozens of applications can feel productive, but the numbers tell a different story. According to recent data shared at the PARWCC Conference, only 15-20% of positions are filled through job boards. That means 80% of roles are filled through, you guessed it, relationships and referrals.
Past experiences that felt transactional or cold
Many people have tried networking once or twice, had an awkward experience, and decided it's not for them. One client described attending a chamber event where everyone just exchanged business cards without making real connections. "It felt like speed dating without the dating," he said.
But that's not real networking, that's just collecting contacts. Effective networking looks completely different.
What Networking Really Means in 2025
Modern networking has evolved dramatically, especially post-pandemic. Here's what actually works now:
It's about sharing updates, not asking for favors
The most successful networkers start conversations by offering value or sharing relevant information, not by immediately asking for help. This approach builds goodwill and creates balanced relationships.
One technique I teach clients is the "3:1 ratio", share three interesting updates, articles, or insights for every one request you make. This transforms networking from transactional to relational.
You don't need hundreds of contacts, just a few strong connections
Quality over quantity has never been more true than in professional networking. Research presented at the PARWCC Conference showed that job seekers with just 5-7 strong advocates in their industry find positions 62% faster than those with larger but weaker networks.
I work with clients to identify their "core five", the handful of professionals who genuinely know their work and can speak to their strengths. Nurturing these relationships consistently yields better results than collecting hundreds of LinkedIn connections.
It's the follow-up that creates momentum, not the introduction
The magic isn't in the first conversation, it's in what happens afterward. Regular, meaningful follow-up is what transforms a pleasant chat into a professional relationship that can open doors.
One of my clients landed a director-level position because she sent a thoughtful follow-up email with an article relevant to a conversation she'd had with a former colleague three months earlier. That simple gesture put her top of mind when a position opened.
The Omaha-to-Chicago Mindset Shift: What I Saw at PARWCC
I recently returned from the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARWCC) Conference in Chicago, where I served on the planning committee. The experience reinforced everything I've been teaching clients about the power of relationships.
Relationships were the common thread across every speaker session
Whether the topic was AI in hiring, resume trends, or interview techniques, every speaker emphasized one point: relationships trump algorithms. Even as technology plays a larger role in screening, humans still make the final hiring decisions based largely on trust and connection.
One keynote speaker, a CHRO at a Fortune 500 company, admitted that when faced with equally qualified candidates, they always choose the one who comes through a trusted referral.
Local chats can carry just as much weight as national events
Many of my Nebraska-based clients believe they're at a disadvantage compared to job seekers in bigger markets. The conference proved this is simply untrue. Regional connections often have more loyalty and a greater willingness to advocate for people in their community.
A roundtable of hiring managers confirmed they prioritize local networks precisely because they're more intimate and trusted.
Why I bring national hiring insights back to Nebraska clients
The hiring landscape is constantly evolving, which is why I make it a priority to attend national conferences like PARWCC. These events give me real-time insights from companies across the country that I can immediately apply to help local clients.
For example, a major trend discussed this year was "quiet hiring", filling positions through internal networks without public postings. This makes networking not just helpful but essential for accessing the hidden job market.
Real Wins From Clients Who Focused on Relationships
Abstract advice is one thing, but results matter more. Here are real outcomes from clients who embraced strategic networking:
A client landed a $100K+ HR role through a former mentor
Sarah had been out of the workforce for three years raising her children. Rather than diving straight into applications, we focused on reconnecting with her professional network first. After reaching out to a former mentor for advice, she mentioned she was looking to return to work. Two weeks later, that mentor recommended her for a senior HR position that hadn't been posted yet. She started at $115K, significantly higher than what she earned before her career break.
Another got referred to an unposted leadership job after a networking event
Michael attended a local industry meetup, not to job hunt, but simply to stay connected. During a conversation about leadership challenges, he shared some insights from his experience. A week later, an attendee reached out about an opening at his company for a team lead. The position had been created to address exactly the challenges they had discussed. Michael was hired after just two interviews, bypassing the usual lengthy process.
Most successful clients treat networking like career maintenance, not a one-time task
The clients who see the most dramatic results are those who make networking a habit, not a desperate measure. They check in with contacts regularly, share industry news, and maintain relationships even when they're not looking for jobs.
Lisa, who now works as a marketing director, attributes her success to quarterly coffee dates with former colleagues. "I never ask for anything directly," she says. "I just genuinely stay in touch. When opportunities come up, I'm naturally the first person they think of."
How I Coach Networking Without the Pressure
The good news is that effective networking can be learned, even if you're introverted or hate the very idea of it. Here's how I help clients make it natural and comfortable:
Scripts for reaching out to dormant contacts
Reconnecting with someone you haven't spoken to in years can feel awkward. I provide clients with customizable templates that acknowledge the gap without making it the focus:
"Hi [Name], it's been a while since we worked together at [Company]. I was thinking about our project on [specific detail] recently and wondered how you're doing. I'd love to catch up if you have time for a quick call or coffee."
This approach is authentic, specific, and doesn't immediately ask for anything.
Building your 5-minute intro without sounding robotic
One of the most valuable exercises I do with clients is crafting a natural introduction that highlights their value without sounding rehearsed. We focus on three elements:
Current professional identity (who you are now)
A specific accomplishment that shows your strengths
What you're currently curious about or working toward
This framework starts conversations that focus on shared interests rather than immediate needs.
Turning awkward coffee chats into future referrals
The key to a successful networking meeting isn't what happens during the conversation, it's what happens after. I teach clients the "ACE" follow-up method:
Acknowledge something specific from your conversation
Connect it to a relevant resource or thought you've had since meeting
Extend the relationship with a specific next step
This structured approach turns one-time meetings into ongoing professional relationships that can lead to opportunities down the road.
FAQs: Networking for Job Seekers
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In 2025, it’s all about warm intros and clear value. I teach clients how to send short, authentic messages that lead to interviews. Focus on connection, not asking for favors, and keep it casual and specific.
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Yes, it absolutely can. I’ve had clients land $100K+ jobs just from one short LinkedIn message or local chat. When done right, networking builds trust faster than job boards ever will.
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Keep it short and simple. Try: “Hi [Name], I admire your work in [industry]. I'm exploring new leadership roles and would love to hear how you approached your own career path. Open to a quick chat?” That’s it. Here’s a blog with templates to reach out to recruiters
About Career Coach and Author
Hi, I’m Elizabeth Harders, I’m a former recruiter turned career strategist who has spent years on the other side of the hiring table. I’ve seen thousands of cover letters—some great, most forgettable. Now, I help professionals craft applications that actually stand out and lead to interviews.
My specialty? Helping ambitious professionals land six-figure roles at Fortune 500 companies. Whether it’s fine-tuning a resume, optimizing a LinkedIn profile, or crafting a powerful cover letter, I make sure my clients present themselves as the best possible candidate for the job they want.
If you’re tired of sending applications into the void, book a free career strategy session.
The Power of Being Remembered
You don't need to be the loudest in the room to build a powerful network. You just need a strategy that makes it feel doable and real. The clients who get six-figure offers aren't sending out hundreds of applications. They're reaching out, reconnecting, and following through.
Remember what I shared about my experience at the PARWCC Conference, networking isn't just about landing jobs. It's about building genuine, meaningful relationships that sustain your career over time.
If you're ready to stop relying on job boards and start building a strategy that works, book a free job strategy session. I'll show you how to make networking work, even if you've avoided it until now.
