Strategies for Building a Diverse Network

Most people don’t have a networking problem. They have a clarity and courage problem. Here’s how my clients build high-powered networks—without begging for coffee chats or feeling fake. 🧠 Start here: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁. 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱. Here’s how: 𝟭. 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗮 Stop “putting yourself out there.” Start targeting 5-10 people who can actually move the needle on your goals. 𝟮. 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 If your first message includes “pick your brain,” you’ve already lost. No one is waiting around to solve a stranger’s career crisis. 𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 Relationships work like capital accounts. You don’t ask for a withdrawal before you’ve made a deposit. 𝟰. 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁—𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 This doesn’t mean fake flattery. Try one of these instead: • Share something relevant to their work • Offer insight they might not have • Help them solve a current challenge • Send something worth 90 seconds of attention 𝟱. 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 Read every line of their LinkedIn. Look at interviews, thought leadership, old roles. Find the patterns. Spot the gaps. Now you’re ready to make contact. 𝟲. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 Write down 10 ways you could help or engage them. Yes, 10. Not 3. Not 5. Ten. This builds muscle. Clarity. Relevance. 𝟳. 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 Don’t wing it. Rank your ideas by effort vs. potential impact. Start with your top 2. Work the plan. Keep working it. 𝟴. 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 (𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼) Reach out with precision. No long intros. No life stories. Offer one clear, relevant point of value. If they don’t bite, try idea #2. Then #3. Most connections take more than one try. That’s not rejection—it’s normal. This is how the game is played at the top. Strategic. Consistent. Relationship-first. And it works. 🧭 Question for you: What’s the biggest blocker between you and building the network you need next? -------------------------------------- ♻ Repost to help your network. ✚ Follow Courtney Intersimone for more tools and tips on executive career and leadership mastery. Showing you how to get invited into the (board)room where it happens....and thrive there! 😎

Advice for women in their 20s In your 20s, one of the best investments you can make is in building a strong and diverse network. No one is self-made—we’re all community-made. By connecting with new people, you open doors to new opportunities, perspectives, and growth. Here’s a challenge for you: Schedule time to meet with at least one new person every week—that’s 4 new people a month! Here are some effective ways to expand your network and make meaningful connections: 1. Cold Outreach: Send a thoughtful email or DM to 5-10 people you admire each week for a 15-minute coffee chat or virtual meet-up. 2. Warm Introductions: Ask someone in your network to introduce you to someone in theirs. A personal introduction can go a long way! 3. Networking Events: Attend industry meetups, conferences, or local events to meet people who share your interests or goals. 4. Join Professional or Interest-Based Groups: Look for local meetups or online communities related to your interests or career. 5. Attend Workshops or Classes: Sign up for events that allow you to learn something new and meet people with similar passions. 6. Volunteer for a Cause: Get involved with organizations that matter to you. It’s a great way to connect with others who are also giving back. 7. Participate in Social Sports or Fitness Groups: Join a sports league or fitness class to meet people in a relaxed setting. 8. Engage in Online Communities: Participate in discussions on LinkedIn, Reddit, or Facebook groups to connect with others. 9. Attend Cultural or Community Events: Go to local fairs, art exhibits, or neighborhood gatherings to meet new faces. 10. Join a Book Club or Discussion Group: Find or start a book club or discussion group to meet people who enjoy similar topics. 11. Leverage Social Media and Online Platforms: Use LinkedIn to network with professionals or like-minded individuals. 12. Seek Out Mentors or Advisors: Reach out to potential mentors for guidance and introductions to others in your field. 13. Participate in Online Courses with Group Activities: Enroll in courses that include group projects to connect with peers. 14. Engage in Public Speaking or Join Toastmasters: Develop your public speaking skills and network with others working on personal growth. Bonus tip: Miss EmpowHer events are a great way to meet new people and expand your network By diversifying your network, you gain access to new opportunities and fresh ways of thinking. 🚀💡 What advice do you have for women in their 20s? Please feel free to share in the comments ⬇️

47 recruiter ghosts, 0 responses, 1 twelve-step messaging system that changed everything. As an introvert, I've never really enjoyed networking. It took me years to become good at it. 4 years ago, I was the guy sending "Would love to connect" messages into the void. Senior data scientists? Ignored. Hiring managers? Read but no response. Even junior engineers were ghosting me. I almost quit. Felt completely alone. The voice inside me told me: "No one cares about you" or "You're not good enough." But then I had a realization:  𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲. So I flipped the script. Built a system. Treated it like engineering. Here's the 12-step framework that changed everything for me:  1. 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 > 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆 - Target 5-10 people who can actually move your career  2. 𝗗𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 "𝗠𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁" - Leading with asks kills trust instantly. Lead with value.  3. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿 - You can't withdraw if you haven't deposited  4. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 - Celebrate their wins, share valuable resources, connect them with someone  5. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 - Find connection clues in their content  6. 𝟭𝟬 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 - List 10 ways to add value (the good ideas come after the envious points)  7. 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀 - Rank by success likelihood and execution ease  8. 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗹𝘆 - Try the 1st outreach idea, try the 2nd, then the 3rd. Many relationships start on the 3rd touchpoint.  9. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 - Keep showing up without asking for anything 10. 𝗠𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 - Great networking is about alignment, not charm. Find ways where both of you benefit. 11. 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲 - Your network is a living asset 12. 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻 - Show your work so you're top-of-mind I’ve used this system to grow a network that’s led to projects, collaborations, and opportunities I couldn’t have cold-applied into. (Oh, and got 90+ interviews in 90 days. Yes, really.) People who used to ignore my messages started reaching out to ME. That's the power of systematic networking. Your resume gets you past HR. Your network gets you the job. Stop begging for coffee chats. Start building relationships that build careers. If you’re stuck sending resumes into a void, networking isn’t just an option; it’s the only option. Follow me, Jaret André to land your next dream $100K+ data job ASAP. PS. If you're struggling with networking to get your job in the US or Canada, DM me. PPS. I'm happy to help, but please keep in mind that I can only accept 3 more clients this month.

The most important career advice I NEVER got? Relationships unlock opportunity. The difference between professionals who plateau and those who thrive often comes down to one thing: the strength of their networks. Easier said than done. Even if I had understood this, I would have needed guidance on HOW to do it. Real network-building requires intention, generosity, and authentic human connection. After years of trial and error, I've identified 20 strategies that consistently create powerful professional relationships. Here are 10. The rest are in the visual. 1. Practice the 5-minute favor rule ↳ When meeting someone new, ask yourself, "What can I do in 5 minutes that would meaningfully help this person?" ↳ Example: Send a relevant article or make a quick introduction. 2. Follow the 2:1 giving ratio ↳ Provide value at least twice before asking for anything. ↳ Example: Share and comment meaningfully on their LinkedIn posts. 3. Be 'interested, not interesting' ↳ Focus conversations on the other person rather than trying to impress. ↳ Example: Ask follow-up questions about their challenges rather than discussing your own achievements. 4. Leverage commonality ↳ Find unexpected shared interests beyond work. ↳ Example: Discovering you both enjoy pottery or hiking specific trails creates stronger bonds than just industry connections. 5. Practice conversational generosity ↳ Introduce people to others in group settings. ↳ Example: "Sarah, you should meet Alex. You're both working on similar AI ethics challenges." 6. Make specific, actionable asks ↳ Be clear about what you need. ↳ Example: "Would you be willing to review my presentation deck for 15 minutes this week?" 7. Connect with 'dormant ties' ↳ Reconnect with valuable past connections. ↳ Example: Reach out to former colleagues and share specific memories of working together. 8. Diversify your network ↳ Intentionally connect with people outside your immediate field. ↳ Example: A finance professional joining a technology meetup to gain fresh perspectives. 9. Maintain a personal board of directors ↳ Cultivate relationships with 5-7 trusted advisors. ↳ Example: Monthly check-ins with mentors who provide different perspectives on your career decisions. 10. Adopt the sweat equity approach ↳ Volunteer for industry organizations or committees. ↳ Example: Join the planning committee for a conference to create natural connections with speakers and organizers. The most valuable asset in your career isn't your degree, certifications, or even your experience It's the web of relationships you thoughtfully build along the way. What are your successful relationship building tactics? ♻️ Repost to share these ideas with your network. 👉Follow me Stephanie Eidelman (Meisel) for more ideas about how to enhance your network and your career. 📫 Subscribe to Women in Consumer Finance to access all of our carousels, cheat sheets, and other content. (https://hubs.la/Q03dY9_n0)

“I’ve applied everywhere. I’ve heard nothing.” If that’s you right now... Let’s pause. Let’s pivot. Because what if the answer isn’t more job boards... but new doors you haven’t knocked on? If you're a May 2025 grad (especially on an F-1 visa), job searching in the U.S. can feel like running a marathon in a fog. But here’s a secret: You don’t always need access to the C-suite. You need a crack in the door. And cracks? You can create them. Here are networking strategies you haven’t tried yet—and how to do them in real life. 1. The “Alumni Stack” Strategy Instead of a one-off message to one alum, build a chain. How to do it: Search for alumni from your school on LinkedIn Use filters: industry + location + company (e.g., “Data Analyst” + “Bay Area” + “Visa Inc.”) Reach out to 5 with a message like: “Hi [Name], I’m a May 2025 grad exploring roles in [field]. I noticed you’ve made a transition I really admire. I’d love to hear 2 mins of your journey—no pressure to respond, just grateful to learn from alumni like you.” Once you speak to one, end by asking: “Is there someone else you’d recommend I reach out to next?” That intro makes the next conversation 10x easier. It’s like referrals—but for insight. 2. Start a “Career Curiosity” Newsletter (Even if it’s just 5 subscribers) When you share what you’re learning, you become a magnet. How to do it: Pick a free platform (Substack, Beehiiv, LinkedIn articles) Once a week, share what you're learning in your job search: 1 resource (course, tool, podcast) 1 insight (“What I learned from shadowing a UX designer”) 1 question for your readers Share it with people you admire: “Hi [Name], I’ve started a small newsletter where I unpack career tools and lessons as a new grad. I mentioned your work in the latest edition—thank you for the inspiration!” Suddenly, you’re not just searching. You’re creating conversation. 3. Offer to “Intern” for 1 Week (Unpaid & Project-Based) It’s bold—but bold gets remembered. How to do it: Identify small companies, startups, or nonprofits you genuinely care about Find a task you could help with (BIM audit, website UX review, blog writing) Reach out with: “Hi [Name], I’m a recent grad learning [skill]. I’d love to offer 1 week of help—free—on a micro-project your team’s too busy to finish. I’ll treat it as a capstone, and you get a finished piece of work. Open to it?” Even if they say no—you’ve made a lasting impression. And if they say yes? That could turn into a referral or a role. Final Thought: Most people think networking = asking for jobs. But real networking? It’s creating a reason to stay in someone’s mind—long before you ever apply. Your goal isn’t to impress. It’s to connect. To show up with curiosity. To leave behind a feeling that says: “This person is going somewhere.” Try just one idea this week. #JobSearch2025 #NetworkingWithoutCringe #InternationalStudents #GradLife