Stop Applying for Jobs for a Moment: The People You Need to Talk To
When you’re looking for work, it is easy to fall into a routine.
Search job boards.
Apply.
Wait.
Apply again.
Refresh your inbox.
Repeat.
But what if one of the best things you could do this week is stop applying for jobs for an hour and start talking to people instead?
Job boards matter. Government guidance recommends using job boards, alerts and the GOV.UK Find a Job service as part of a job search.
But they should not be your entire strategy.
Your next opportunity may start with a conversation
Think about the last few jobs you’ve had.
Did you discover every opportunity by finding an advert online?
Probably not.
Perhaps someone contacted you.
Perhaps a former colleague mentioned something.
Perhaps you met someone at an event.
Perhaps a recruiter approached you.
Perhaps someone recommended you.
That is the power of networking.
Networking is not about collecting hundreds of LinkedIn connections.
It is about building relationships with people who know you, understand what you do or work in areas you are interested in.
You don’t need to be a natural networker
Many people hear the word “networking” and immediately feel uncomfortable.
They imagine walking into a room full of strangers and trying to sell themselves.
Forget that image.
Good networking is much simpler.
It is a conversation.
Ask someone about their work.
Be interested.
Share your experience.
Listen.
Stay in touch.
And, where appropriate, help each other.
You don’t have to ask:
“Can you get me a job?”
Try:
“I’ve been exploring opportunities in this area and would really like to understand how the market is changing.”
That opens a conversation rather than putting someone under pressure.
Start with people you already know
You don’t need to begin with complete strangers.
Make a list of 20 people you already know.
Think about:
- former colleagues
- managers
- clients
- suppliers
- professional contacts
- university contacts
- recruiters
- friends
- former classmates
- people you have worked with on projects
Then ask yourself:
Who could I have a useful conversation with?
You might be surprised how many people are only one message away.
Use LinkedIn as a networking tool not just an online CV
Your LinkedIn profile is important, but networking is where LinkedIn becomes much more powerful.
Don’t just connect with people.
Engage with them.
If someone in your target industry posts something interesting, comment.
If a former colleague changes jobs, congratulate them.
If someone shares useful industry information, add something meaningful to the discussion.
Over time, people begin to recognise your name.
That matters.
You are no longer just another CV arriving in an inbox.
You become a person they have seen, spoken to or interacted with.
Target companies, not just vacancies
Here’s another change worth making.
Instead of asking:
“What jobs are advertised?”
also ask:
“Which organisations would I like to work for?”
Create a list of 10–20 target organisations.
Follow them.
Research their strategy.
Identify people working in relevant departments.
Understand what challenges their industry is facing.
Then start building relationships.
You may find that your target company has opportunities before you ever see a vacancy.
What should you say?
You don’t need a complicated networking script.
Keep it human.
For example:
“Hi Sarah, I noticed you’ve moved into the technology sector. I’m exploring my next move in operations and I’m particularly interested in how operations roles are changing with automation. I’d really value hearing about your experience.”
That’s it.
No hard sell.
No desperate request.
Just a genuine reason to start a conversation.
Give before you ask
One of the best networking habits is to think about what you can offer.
Could you introduce two people?
Share an article?
Recommend someone?
Offer useful information?
Congratulate someone?
Make a connection?
Networking becomes much more natural when it is not entirely about what you want.
And remember: you don’t have to be employed to be valuable.
Your experience, knowledge and professional relationships do not disappear because you are between jobs.
Make networking part of your weekly routine
Try this simple approach:
Monday: Identify five people you want to reconnect with.
Tuesday: Send two genuine messages.
Wednesday: Comment on three relevant LinkedIn posts.
Thursday: Research one target company.
Friday: Follow up with someone you spoke to earlier.
That’s five small actions.
Over a month, you could have dozens of meaningful professional conversations.
And that is very different from simply sending dozens of applications and waiting.
Your network is bigger than you think
The goal isn’t to know everyone.
It is to make sure the people who matter professionally understand:
who you are, what you do and what you’re looking for.
That takes time.
But it can also make a difficult job search feel much less lonely.
At Careers Springboard Gerrards Cross, networking is part of our approach because job searching works better when people have the opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences and support.
So this week, before you send another application, try something different.
Send a message to a person.
You never know where the conversation might lead.
