In a tough job market, having a strong professional network can be more important than ever.
A LinkedIn analysis of 5 million members across multiple countries found that U.S. job seekers with connections within a company (defined as first-class connections who work there) are nearly seven times more likely to be hired than those without.
However, having a network is not the same as leveraging it effectively. In fact, Katherine Fisher, vice president of communications and career expert at LinkedIn, says many professionals could be a little more strategic in the questions they ask people.
“The first step in reaching out to someone is to be specific about what you’re looking for,” Fisher told CNBC Make It. “The more specific the better.”
For example, when requesting an informational interview, you should explain what you want to get out of the conversation and what you can offer in return. You could take them out for coffee and tell them there are three things you’d like to ask them. You can also make requests with time limits to account for people’s busy schedules, such as requesting 15 minutes of your time.
Specificity helps people know what they agree to. Also, showing you have a strategy shows that you’ve done your homework and respect their time.
“You don’t want to put too much work on that person,” Fisher says.
And if they don’t feel like they’re the right person to help you, the additional information may refer them to others who can help you, Fisher added.
Fisher said someone recently contacted her and asked if she could spare 15 minutes to talk about some of the ways Fisher could get involved in that person’s philanthropy. The decision was easy because the request was specific. “I have 15 minutes, I know what she wants to talk about, and that’s it,” Fisher says.
While you can build relationships through these types of meetings, it also makes networking much easier.
It’s “a spectrum,” Fisher says. Some of the actions you can take to build and maintain your network can be as simple as commenting on someone’s post or sending them a quick text to let them know you’re thinking of them and want to check in on them.
Many people have a larger network than they realize. For example, a recent college graduate may worry that they don’t have many connections because of their limited work experience. But a network can be anyone, from college advisors and professors to colleagues and even family members who babysit, Fisher said.
Bonnie Dilber, recruiting leader at software company Zapier, previously told CNBC Make It that in addition to professional networks, social networks can also be helpful in your job search. Local Facebook groups, workout buddies, acquaintances and friends can help you keep an eye out for opportunities that might be a good fit for you.
“People need to get out of traditional professional spaces and into spaces where they have some kind of connection with other people,” Dilber said.
From these “inner circles,” Fisher says, you can build “concentric circles” of networking as you seek out connections, for example to get an introduction to someone at the company you’re applying to.
“If you’ve been applying, applying, applying, that network can help fill some of those gaps,” she says.
