Networking is Not Cold Calling ❌
New UXers are always advised to network, network, network! But many don't know how, especially in a virtual context.
So here's the big secret: Networking is NOT cold calling. ❌
Imagine you're at an in-person conference. You sit next to someone during a panel discussion and they ask a great question. You might lean over and whisper, "Thanks for asking that!" This could lead to you having a longer conversation later, grabbing a coffee, connecting on LinkedIn, and staying in touch.
Now, imagine you're at that same in-person conference. You see someone with a name tag: Sahar, UX Researcher. You walk up to them and say, "Hi, I'm looking for a role in UX Research. Are you available to get a coffee so I can pick your brain?" Maaaybe they'll say yes. But, more likely, it'll be super awkward because it will feel super out of the blue (and even pushy).
This applies to virtual networking, too. "Cold call" messaging someone and asking them for a coffee chat right off the bat can be very hit or miss. For example, I get so many "cold call" requests for coffee chats that I wouldn't have time to do anything else if I said yes to them all! So I generally have to decline and refer them to my ADPList waitlist.
So, How Should We Be Networking?
Here are a couple of my tips on how you can network successfully in a virtual environment:
Read people's LinkedIn bios to get a feel for their interests, even the things that aren't work-related! What is one of their hobbies? Do you like doing that, too? Boom, connection!
Adopt a "no-ask" policy: you can message someone, give them your spiel (or elevator pitch), and then NOT ask them for anything in return. Not asking for anything in return can actually make the person you're messaging more willing to connect with you. When I was job hunting, this was how I went about all of my messaging and I ended up meaningfully connecting with a ton of great folks (and was referred to many roles even without asking for that).
And hey, I get it. It is definitely uncomfortable reaching out to people you don't know. But the truth is that networking isn't about blindly sending out messages. It's about building genuine relationships and creating opportunities for collaboration. You are setting the foundation for a mutually meaningful and enriching professional relationship.
So, get out there and identify shared interests. Find ways to help each other achieve your goals. Offer value and show that you care about the other person's success. When you approach networking with this mindset, it becomes a lot less daunting and a lot more rewarding. So, the next time you're considering reaching out to someone for networking purposes, remember that it's not about making a sales pitch or asking for a favor. It's about building a connection and starting a conversation. And who knows? That connection could lead to an exciting new opportunity down the line.