Improving LinkedIn Connections After Career Change

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗠 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿. 𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸. That it was only for extroverts, salespeople, or those who knew the “right” people. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The truth? LinkedIn changed my career more than any job board ever could. From landing internships to publishing research and breaking into power & energy, the biggest opportunities in my career didn’t come from job boards—they came from building the right connections. Yet, so many professionals hesitate to network strategically because they: * Feel awkward reaching out to strangers * Don’t know what to say in a cold DM * Fear getting ignored or rejected I get it—I used to be the same way. But once I started using LinkedIn the right way, I landed mentors, internships, and research opportunities that shaped my entire career. Here’s How You Can Do It Today: ✅ 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 * Look for professionals in your target field (engineers, hiring managers, senior leaders). * Use LinkedIn’s “People Also Viewed” section to find similar profiles. * Join industry groups to see who’s actively sharing insights. ✅ 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 Forget “Hi, can I pick your brain?” That doesn’t work. Instead, try this: 💡 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗠 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: “Hi [Name], I came across your profile while learning about [topic]. I admire your work on [specific project]. I’d love to hear your thoughts on [question]. Would you be open to a quick chat?” ✅ 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗗𝗠 * Like and comment on their posts genuinely * Share their work and add your insights * Make your name familiar before sending a message ✅ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 People respond better when you bring something to the table: * Share an article or resource relevant to their work * Offer a fresh perspective on one of their posts * Ask a specific, thoughtful question instead of just “Can you help me?” The Outcome: I’ve used this exact strategy to build meaningful relationships that led to: ✔ Internship opportunities before I even applied ✔ Research collaborations that boosted my career ✔ Insights from industry leaders that I couldn’t find anywhere else If you’re not leveraging LinkedIn for strategic networking, you’re leaving opportunities on the table. 💡 Try this today: Pick ONE person you admire, craft a thoughtful DM, and hit send

"I reached out to 100 strangers on LinkedIn last month. 98 ignored me, 1 blocked me, and 1 changed my career forever.” This is something I hear from numerous people who're open to build REAL connections. Most people are doing networking incorrectly. And it is losing them dream jobs, collaborations, and life-changing possibilities. Here's something nobody tells you about networking: 🚫 What NOT to do (I learned the hard way): 1. "Hope you're doing well" cold messages It's acceptable to start, but write something catchy that will draw people to read your message. 2. Asking for favors in the first message Never do this. They'll get irritated and disregard you. 3. The "spray and pray" strategy. Never send the same message to a hundred people. ✅ Here’s what to do ( and actually works): 1. The "Value First" Approach - Share industry insights - Leave relevant comments on posts - Congratulate on achievements 2. The "Specific Ask" Method. Instead of saying, "Would love to connect!" Try: "Your work on [specific project] inspired me to take [specific action]." Would you have 15 minutes to discuss how you tackled [particular challenge]?" 3. "Network Nurture" Strategy - Follow up every 90 days, - Share relevant content, and - Celebrate their wins. While 99% of professionals believe networking is important for career advancement, just 12% actively pursue it. The correct approach is to strike the perfect mix between sharing value with them and sparking their interest in connecting with you. So, are you networking or simply gathering connections? Follow Priya Narang Nagpal for more Career & Corporate training strategies! Repost 🔁 if found useful. #careergrowth #jobsearch #corporatetrainer #softskills #resumewriter #interviewcoach

The best career advice I ever got didn't come from a podcast, a book, or a search engine. It came from a 30-minute conversation with someone who had already walked the path I wanted to take. When I was pivoting industries, I had all the usual fears - Am I too late? Will I be starting from scratch? What if I fail? So I did something simple: I reached out to 5-7 people on LinkedIn who were already doing what I wanted to do. Not everyone replied. But the ones who did? They changed everything. Here's what I've learned about networking on LinkedIn: ❌ It's not about collecting connections.  ✅ It's about building real relationships with people who've been where you want to go. ❌ Don't wait until you "need" something.  ✅ Start conversations early.  ✅ Ask thoughtful questions.  ✅ Offer value when you can.  The best networks are built before you need them. Be specific in your outreach. Instead of "Can I pick your brain?" try "I saw you transitioned from X to Y - I'm curious how you approached that change. Would you be open to a quick chat to help me do the same for my career?" Follow up and stay connected. A single conversation can change your career, but ongoing relationships compound over time. Give back when you can. Once you've made progress, be that person for someone else. The best networks work both ways. Even today, when I'm stuck on a business challenge or exploring a new direction, I lean on my network. I ask questions. I learn from people who've already solved the problem I'm facing. Because the truth is - real-life solutions don't always come from search engines. Sometimes they live in conversations with people who've been there. Professionals say their network is still their #1 source for advice at work, ahead of family and friends, search engines, and even AI tools So here's my question for you: What's one piece of advice you've gotten on LinkedIn (or from your network) that shifted your perspective or changed your path? 💡 What’s one piece of advice you’ve gained here that changed your path? #LinkedIn #AD #BuiltToTrust LinkedIn for Marketing

I tested 𝟭𝟬𝟬+ 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 (During my last job search and as a career coach). These 𝟱 get the highest response rates, especially from hiring managers👇 1. The Profile Viewer Message Check who viewed your LinkedIn profile. They’re already aware of you, don’t let that warm lead go cold. Try this: "Hey [Name], I noticed you stopped by my profile, appreciate you taking a look! Curious, was there something specific that caught your eye, or are you open to conversations around [industry/topic you're exploring]?" 👉 Tip: Warm > Cold. Always start with people who’ve already shown interest. 2. Acknowledge + Ask Find something unique about their background or a recent post, and ask a question. "Hi [Name], I saw your talk on [topic], your insight on [specific point] stuck with me. How did you land your current role at [Company]?" People love talking about themselves, especially when you show genuine interest. 3. Value First Offer a useful insight, article, or trend that aligns with their work. No ask, just value. "Hey [Name], I saw your post about [topic]. Just came across this article, it touches on a similar trend. Thought you might find it interesting." Position yourself as thoughtful, not transactional. 4. Mutual Connection Approach Bridge a real mutual connection or shared experience. "Hi [Name], I noticed we both worked with [Person] / went to [School] / worked in [Company or Industry]. I'd love to learn more about your path, especially how you made the transition to [Role/Company]." Relatability opens doors faster than credentials. 5. Compliment + Curiosity Start with a specific compliment, then open the door. "Hi [Name], really enjoyed your article on [topic], especially your point about [detail]. Are you open to connecting with people exploring similar roles in [industry]?" It’s respectful, direct, and makes it easy for them to respond. Reminder: You don’t need to spam 100 strangers. Start with 10 meaningful messages a week. Track responses. Iterate on what works. Focus on warm leads, shared interests, and genuine curiosity. What template would you like to see next? If you're ready to level up, let’s position you for the roles you actually want. ➕Follow Jaret André for more daily data job search tips.

If you’re job hunting right now, this exercise could change everything. Yes, you need a polished résumé. Yes, your LinkedIn profile matters. But here’s the trap I see too many job seekers fall into: applying endlessly through job boards with no personal connection. This is more than just a waste of time. Psychologically, repeated silence and rejection chips away at your confidence and motivation In today’s market, one role can get hundreds of applications. Even if you’re the absolute perfect fit, the odds are stacked against you when you’re just another résumé in the pile. 🚨The fastest way to land a job is through your network🚨 Reach out to the managers from years ago. Grab a coffee with a former teammate.  Ask a friend for an intro. Send a quick check-in message to a mentor. Reconnect with a colleague you lost touch with. Thank someone who once helped you and update them on your journey. I’ve worked with clients who applied to 80 or 100 jobs via Linkedin, Indeed, or even directly on a company website. They carefully tailored résumés and even wrote thoughtful cover letters and still heard nothing. But the moment they tapped into a HUMAN CONNECTION, doors opened. What does that tell us? It tells us hiring (and everything in business) is not just logical, it is relational. People are wired to trust people they know. A résumé shows experience, but a connection builds familiarity and credibility. And that is often what tips the decision. 💡Here’s an exercise. 1️⃣ Write down a list of meaningful past connections. 2️⃣Think about everyone! Managers. Teammates. Mentors. Clients. Partners. 3️⃣ Add people outside of work. Friends. Neighbors. Family. Alumni. 4️⃣ Scroll your LinkedIn connections. Spot names you’ve forgotten. 5️⃣ Pick three people you could reach out to this week. 6️⃣ Send a simple message. Check in, share an update, ask a question. Stay curious. One conversation can open a door. A résumé gets you into the pile. A connection gets you into the room. 👉What’s the most helpful connection you’ve ever leaned on in your career?

Attention job seekers, if you’re struggling to connect with hiring managers or industry leaders right now, here’s what actually works (and got me real responses from top professionals): You don’t need to spam 100 connection requests a day. → You need to engage before you message. Leave thoughtful comments on their posts - it warms up the connection before you ever hit “Connect.” You don’t need to send generic “Let’s connect” messages. → You need to personalize every message. Mention something specific they’ve done or shared. People reply to genuine interest, not templates. You don’t need to ask for referrals right away. → You need to add value first. Share an article, insight, or perspective that aligns with what they care about. You don’t need to message only when you need something. → You need to start conversations that matter. Ask thoughtful, open-ended questions instead of transactional requests. You don’t need to feel awkward reaching out cold. → You need to leverage mutual connections. A warm introduction builds trust faster than any random DM ever could. You don’t need to network once and disappear. → You need to stay consistent. Engage with their content weekly - comment, react, or share genuine thoughts. You don’t need to attend every random event. → You need to join communities where your peers and mentors hang out - Slack groups, forums, or professional meetups that actually lead to relationships. You don’t need to wait until you have “something big” to share. → You need to share your learnings and insights regularly. People connect with authenticity, not perfection. You don’t need to chase every recruiter. → You need to target smartly. Use LinkedIn filters and alumni networks to reach the right hiring managers for your role. And you definitely don’t need to vanish after one message. → You need to follow up professionally. A simple, polite message a week later keeps the conversation alive. Networking is not about chasing - it’s about creating genuine relationships that lead to opportunities. So remember this: Don’t overthink connection. Start small. Engage smart. Stay consistent. And momentum will follow. If this spoke to you and you want to learn how to build authentic industry connections that actually lead to interviews and offers, check out my Career Networking Accelerator - where we fix your LinkedIn, outreach strategy, and engagement plan together step by step. Join 4,000+ professionals already inside: https://lnkd.in/gJat_txb