Networking for Software Developers

🤦🏼♀️You don’t know what networking is. Sending a cold dm to a stranger on LinkedIn isn’t networking, it’s asking a stranger for help. It’s telling someone you need a job. And that’s fine and you need to do that but don’t get it twisted that is NOT networking. 🟢Networking is building relationships. 🟢Networking is getting to know other people. 🟢Networking is not about YOU. Here are some tips on how to network 1. Shift Your Mindset 🧠 Give first: Don’t just ask for favors; ask, "How can I support you?" or share helpful resources.   2. Be Selective 📈 Quality over quantity: One meaningful conversation is better than cold emailing 50 cards strangers. Personalized outreach: Never send a generic connection request. Add a note mentioning a shared interest, a recent article they wrote, or a mutual connection.   3.Long-term focus 📆 Networking is a marathon. Cultivate relationships before you actually need a job or a favor.     4. Be Ready 💃 Have your pitch down. Know your unique value proposition. Be memorable. 5. Leave the house 🚗💨 Go to in person industry events, conferences and happy hours. Play pickle ball. Go with your friend to their work event. Join a chamber of commerce. Make friends at a café. 6. Don’t be shy 🤝 How to break the ice: Approach people standing alone or in groups of three (they are easier to enter than pairs). Introduce yourself simply and ask open-ended questions like, "What brought you out here tonight?" or "What exciting projects are you working on?" 7 Follow Up 📱 The 48-hour rule: Always follow up within 48 hours of meeting, send a thank you note or a thank you. Better yet send an article or resource that connects back to the conversation you had. (Go back to step 1 be a resource) Mention something specific you discussed (e.g., "I loved hearing about your experience transitioning into tech") to jog their memory   8. Be active on social 👩🏼💻media: Share industry insights, comment on others' posts, and reach out to professionals for 15-minute informational interviews.   9- Nurture consistently 🎯 Check in occasionally with a quick text or email just to share a relevant article, say congratulations on a milestone, or see how they are doing   10- It’s not about YOU🤗Networking is about building a relationship that is mutually beneficial. GIVE VALUE. #howtonetwork #careeradvice #jobsearchtips #linkedin

How To Turn Networking Conversations Into Referrals (7 Simple Steps): 1. Getting “Stuck” After A Great Call Most of us get stuck in this trap. You worked so hard to get this call. You jump on, ask your questions, and it went great! Then you realize you have no idea what to say or do to keep the relationship going. 2. The “Open Door” Strategy I ran into this same problem during my job search. And I created the “Open Door” Strategy as a solution. Once I began implementing it, I always knew exactly what step to take next. That led to referrals and, eventually, job offers. 3. The Overarching Concept At a high level, the goal of the “Open Door” Strategy is to create a plan to keep the door open for the next step. When you set this as an intention, you can proactively plan around it. This gives you multiple options to “open the door” no matter how the conversation goes. 4. Start With A Brainstorm First, start by brainstorming different ways you could use to create a “Door Opener.” Ex: You could ask for a piece of advice, then you could ask if it’s ok to follow up after you take action on it. You could ask about a specific challenge, then ask if it’d be ok to follow up with some ideas around it. 5. Keep Several Options On Hand When you book your next networking conversation, keep you list of “Door Openers” on hand. When it feels natural in the conversation, introduce one of them and see what kind of response you get. If they don’t bite on one, introduce another option from your list when it makes sense. 6. Get A Follow Up Commitment This is the most important part. After you use the “Door Opener,” ask if it’s ok to follow up by X date. When they say “yes,” you’ve essentially added a placeholder in their mind for the next step in the relationship. Now you can confidently follow up knowing you both agreed to it! 7. Repeat At Each Relationship Stage The best part about this strategy is that it works at every stage and touchpoint. Your goal should be to never leave a networking conversation without leveraging it. If you adopt that approach, you’ll always know the next step you need to take and your contact will have the same expectations set on their end!

🤝 Networking feels awkward? You’re not alone. If the idea of reaching out to someone for “networking” makes you cringe, you’re not the only one. Many of us associate networking with forced small talk, sales pitches, or feeling like we’re asking for favours. But here’s the truth: Networking doesn’t have to feel transactional. When done right, it’s about building authentic, mutually beneficial connections that can open doors and provide value to both parties. Here’s how to make networking feel natural and effective: 1️⃣ Start with Common Ground When reaching out, mention something you genuinely admire or have in common. This could be their work on a specific project, attending the same school, or even shared connections. 👉 Example: “Hi [Name], I recently read about your work on [specific project], and I found it fascinating! As someone interested in [related topic], I’d love to hear about your approach.” 2️⃣ Shift the Mindset from “Getting” to “Giving” Instead of asking for favours, think about how you can offer value. Sharing helpful insights, articles, or even thoughtful comments on LinkedIn posts can create goodwill and start a genuine conversation. 👉 Example: Commenting on their post: “I really appreciate your take on [topic]. It reminded me of [specific example/experience], and I’m excited to apply this in my own work!” 3️⃣ Ask for Advice, Not Favours People love to share their expertise, and asking for advice shows respect for their knowledge. It’s a low-pressure way to connect while learning something valuable. 👉 Example: “Hi [Name], I’m exploring opportunities in [industry/role], and your career journey is inspiring. Would you be open to a quick chat to share advice on [specific topic]?” 4️⃣ Follow Up with Gratitude Networking doesn’t end after one conversation. Send a thank-you note, share how their advice helped, or engage with their updates online to maintain the connection. 👉 Example: “Thank you for taking the time to chat with me! Your advice on [topic] was so helpful—I’ve already started applying it and am seeing progress. Let’s stay in touch!” 💡 Final Thought: Networking isn’t about collecting connections; it’s about building relationships. Approach each interaction with curiosity, authenticity, and a genuine desire to add value, and you’ll find it feels much less awkward—and a lot more rewarding. How do you make networking feel natural? Let’s share ideas below! 💬👇 #NetworkingTips #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalConnections #JobSearch

Conferences used to drain me. As an introvert, I would stand awkwardly holding a coffee, wondering how everyone else made networking look so easy. Here are 5 hacks that helped me—and might help you too: 1/ Create Your Personal Energy Zones: Don’t try to network the whole time. Set specific "on" times for socializing and give yourself "off" breaks to recharge. The key isn’t to stay active but to be strategic about when you are. 2/ Be a Connector, Not a Networker: Shift your focus from trying to meet people for yourself to helping others connect. It’s less stressful, and you'll be remembered as someone who brings value. 3/ Use "Curiosity Openers": Instead of preparing boring questions, try asking what excites them about their work or what drives them. It turns small talk into meaningful conversations. 4/ Leverage Your Quiet Presence: You don’t have to be loud to make an impact. Own your silence. Sometimes, standing calmly in a room of chatter makes you more approachable and memorable. 5/ Network After the Event is Over: Some of the best connections happen in the follow-up. Use LinkedIn or email to deepen conversations after the initial meeting, where it’s quieter and more personal. Networking doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By embracing our strengths, we can build meaningful connections. == P.S.: What are your go-to networking tips? Share them in the comments! #introvert #personaldevelopment #networking

In my early career, I thought networking was all about building as many connections as possible. But I quickly learned that effective networking isn't about the quantity of your connections—it's about the quality. Throughout my career, the connections that have truly made a difference weren’t the ones where I just asked for help—they were the ones where I made it easy for others to want to help me. If you want to make others genuinely want to help you, it’s crucial to move beyond simply asking for favors. Instead, focus on creating value and building relationships where both parties benefit. So, how can you do the same? Here are four tactical tips to help you network effectively: ✅ Do Your Homework Before reaching out, research the person or company you’re interested in. Understand their work, challenges, and how you can add value. For instance, instead of asking a connection for job leads, do your own research first. Identify specific roles and companies you’re targeting, and then ask if they can help with an introduction. This approach shows initiative and respect for their time. ✅ Be Specific in Your Ask Whether you’re asking for an introduction, advice, or a referral, be clear and concise about what you need. For example, instead of asking, “Do you know anyone hiring?” say, “I noticed [Company Name] is looking for a [Role]. Would you be open to introducing me to [Person]? I’m happy to send you my resume and a brief write-up you can pass along, too.” This shows that you’ve taken the initiative and makes it easier for your contact to say yes. ✅ Offer Mutual Value When requesting a meeting or advice, frame it as a two-way conversation. Instead of saying, “Can I pick your brain?” try something like, “I’d love to exchange ideas on [specific topic] and share some strategies that have worked for me.” This not only makes your request more compelling but also positions you as someone who brings value to the table. ✅ Follow Up with Gratitude After someone has helped you, don’t just say thank you and disappear. Keep them in the loop on how their help made an impact. Whether you got the job, secured the meeting, or just had a great conversation, let them know. This closes the loop and makes them more inclined to help you in the future. Your network is one of your greatest assets—nurture it well, and it will be there for you when you need it most. What’s one networking tip that’s helped you build stronger connections? *** 📧 Want more tips like these? Join Career Bites - free weekly bite-sized tips to supercharge your career in 3 minutes or less: lorraineklee.com/subscribe 📖 You can also get behind-the-scenes stories, updates, and special gifts for my upcoming book Unforgettable Presence: lorraineklee.com/book

I've spoken to 300+ SMB leaders who've spent millions on IT partners and end up with broken promises. Ask 3 questions to find one that creates real impact: 1) Do they manage outcomes in addition to supplying talent? Most tech partners follow a basic 'talent outsourcing' model: - Ask a few questions about your needs - Source talent that matches - Hand them over to you to manage There are a couple problems with this approach: → Worst Case: You're left with a developer-only team → Best Case: You get a diverse team but lack the technical background to manage them (This applies unless you're a management savvy CTO.) Talented developers and designers need strategic leadership to build successful software projects. Make sure your tech partner provides said leadership and holds themselves accountable for the final solution. 2) Do they have UX expertise or a design studio? Design is often the most overlooked aspect of software development. An intuitive, user-friendly design - Simplifies complex features - Guides users to solutions quickly It's just as important as making sure the software gets the job done. So, look for an IT partner with proven UX capabilities or a dedicated design team. They should follow a structured process, like: - Conducting user research & interviews - Detailed discovery workshops - Defining user personas - Creating user flows - Wireframing, prototyping, and testing (This is our method at @Incepteo.) Writing code should NOT start before finalizing design to avoid re-coding or re-designing. Last but not least: 3) Do they provide CTO advisory? The Project Manager is usually responsible for the software's timeline, budget and scope – but having a CTO prevents you from facing many potential roadblocks. They: - Spearhead strategy and implementation - Review the software's design and structure - Share on the dos and don'ts based on past experience The best part is: they don't need to be present full-time. 1 hour of CTO advisory per month is enough to help most businesses move in the right direction. — If your company's investing time and money into a solution, make sure your partner provides the talent, design, and advisory for you to succeed. Ask these questions on the vendor selection call to see if they could be a fit. And, if you're tired of failed projects and ineffective solutions, send me a message on LinkedIn so we can chat about your requirements and needs. (We answer YES to all 3 questions 😄)

The other day, I made a lighthearted note on what not to do during networking with others. Many of you asked, "So, Amir, how am I supposed to approach things?" Here is that response. Here are my 13 steps to Approach Games Networking Effectively on LinkedIn: 1. Personalize Your Message and Build A Genuine Connection: Start with a warm, respectful greeting and, using feel and judgment without being over-the-top, show genuine interest in the person's professional work and achievements, referencing their LinkedIn profile. 2. Be Specific in Your Request: Clearly explain why you're reaching out and how they can assist you, being direct but polite. 3. Offer Value: Consider what you can offer in return, like expertise, insights, or connections. Networking should be a two-way street. Again not in not every situation but as appropriate with judgment, think of how you can help them. 4. Respect Their Time and Boundaries: Keep your message concise and professional. Be understanding if they are unable to respond immediately. 5. Consider Seniority: If you write the head of a studio, it might be hard to get a response. Give a thought to more junior folks who might also be able to help with what you need and might have the bandwidth to offer even more help with a common frame of perspective. 6. Avoid Overstepping Personal Boundaries: Keep the conversation focused on professional topics and avoid oversharing your private life or concerns or asking for personal favors. 7. Tailor Your Job Inquiries: If inquiring about jobs, express interest in specific roles you found that align with your skills and why you're a good fit. Don't just ask for a job or for them to "hold onto your CV." This won't go anywhere and isn't realistic given reach-out volume. 8. Write And Follow-Up Politely: If you don't receive a response, a polite follow-up is acceptable after 1-2 weeks. Respect if someone decides not to engage. Ensure all your communication is work-appropriate and polite. 9. Respect Privacy and Avoid Creepiness: Refrain from mentioning information that suggests extensive personal or non-professional research. 10. Adopt a Patient Approach to Networking: Understand that networking is about building relationships over time, not getting immediate results. Avoid treating your initial message as a sales pitch or creating a sense of urgency. Focus on gradually developing a connection, showing interest in their work and offering value, rather than expecting immediate favors or responses. 11. Proofreading: Make sure your spelling and grammar are perfect. If you need help (ONLY FOR EDITING), run it through ChatGPT and say "edit this for spelling and grammar," and then add your write-up. 12. The "Dream Job" Trap: Write people at a wide range of organizations, especially smaller ones. Everybody writes Nintendo and Blizzard - it's time to branch out. 13. No Spray And Pray: Don't blanket write everybody at an org. They will all know what you are doing and it will backfire.

Don’t Skip This Step in Your Partnership Program: Signing partners is the easy part. Integrating with their systems and training their teams? That’s where the magic happens. Too many companies sign partnership deals and then neglect the integrations. One leader I spoke with had to explain to his CEO that without integration, the partners couldn’t sell the product. The CEO didn’t buy it—and it cost the partnership program. Your partners won’t sell something that doesn’t work with their systems. Here are 4 actionable steps to help you start building integrations that work: 1. Engage with Partners Early to Understand Their Needs Before jumping into development, sit down with your partners and understand the specific systems and tools they use. This avoids unnecessary delays caused by building integrations that don’t align with their processes. 2. Collaborate with Product Teams on a Clear Integration Roadmap Work closely with your product and engineering teams to develop a roadmap that details when and how integrations will be built. Ensure it’s aligned with the overall partnership goals and prioritized based on impact. 3. Test, Iterate, and Improve with Pilot Integrations Start small by launching pilot integrations with select partners to work out any kinks. This will allow you to troubleshoot issues and refine the integration process before scaling across all partners. 4. Invest in Partner Training and Documentation Integration is only part of the equation. Make sure your partners know how to use your product effectively once the integration is live. Provide easy-to-understand documentation, training sessions, and ongoing support. Successful partnerships require integrated systems to deliver mutual value. By engaging partners early, collaborating with your product team, running pilots, and investing in training, you’ll set your program up for long-term success.

Are your networking convos going nowhere?  Then, you are likely not asking the right questions at the end of the chat. So let me fix this for ya. Here are my favorite end-of-chit-chat questions to make sure you keep the new connections moving forward. ⭐ Expanding Your Network: "Based on our conversation, who else would you recommend I speak with to gain further insights into this field?" ⭐ Gaining Deeper Industry Insight: "Are there any groups, associations, or forums you think I should join to connect with other professionals in this field?" ⭐ Understanding Company Culture: "Who in your organization has been pivotal to your understanding of the company culture, and might they be open to a discussion?" ⭐ Exploring Opportunities: "In your opinion, which companies or teams are doing exciting work in this space that I should explore further?" ⭐ Finding Mentors and Advisors: "I'm interested in finding a mentor in the field. Is there someone whose career path you admire and who might be open to a mentorship conversation?" ⭐ Learning About Roles and Functions: "Which colleagues of yours have taken interesting paths or roles that you think I could learn from?" ⭐ Asking for Introductions: "Would you be comfortable introducing me to anyone in your network who you think could provide additional perspective on my job search?" ⭐ Keeping the Conversation Going: "What events or meetups would you suggest I attend to meet like-minded professionals in this industry?" ⭐ Following Industry Developments: "Are there any upcoming industry events or webinars that you think would be beneficial for someone in my position to attend?" ⭐ Staying in Touch: "How can I best keep in touch with you as I continue exploring this field and potentially seek your advice again in the future?" So...will you use these banging questions in your next networking chat? Then drop a "YEAH" Lil Jon style in the comments below. #networking #networkingtips

Cold Pitching in DM's sucks! [How to stop treating people like they're money] Sending a high volume of pitch slap DMs seems to be the norm. High volume, low touch points = burning your network. I think we can raise the bar... How? By being a human and treating people like you want to be treated. Is it really as simple as the classic Golden Rule? Yes. Here's how naturally building a network and finding clients works: 1. Find common ground in their profile, content, or comments.    - (if I can't see this, I don't extend an invite to connect)     2. Reach out with genuine curiosity to discover what they love about their work.    - (if they don't respond, move on)     3. Extend an invitation to get to know each other on a Zoom call.    - (if there's a fit on the call, I'll extend an invitation to support) The constant is that I'm always looking to serve and support others who are ready. If someone isn't ready or doesn't express interest, it doesn't need to be forced. Here's my rule for cold pitches: 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻'𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗲 𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂. So why bother churning through your network and making offers without knowing the person you're pitching? Doesn't it make more sense to build your network instead of burning it? Try this instead: 1. Get better at asking questions instead of pitch slapping. 2. Ask questions you are genuinely curious about. 3. Get to know people instead of seeing $$$$. 4. Build your referral network. 5. Invite when it makes sense. What's your experience or perspective on sales and DMs? I love diverse opinions, especially on this topic, let's support each other in raising the bar of this community. Join the community, hit +Follow, and ring the 🔔 Get business growth tips and course creation strategies three days a week: Mon, Wed, Fri at 6:30 AM MST