This is how networking can work for you.

I recently had a networking call with someone and DO NOT have a job for them! 🫢

They checked the career site and didn’t see anything that fit what they were looking for 🫣

But we still hit it off and are looking forward to staying connected! SHOCKING! 🤯

But no, it’s actually not.

This is how networking works. If it helps to break it down even more to how networking can help you today, here’s what I told them at the end of our conversation. And I MEANT this.

✅ I don’t have a role for you right now, but you shared your background and experience with me. Now I know a little more about you and your story.

✅ If you’re open to staying connected and keeping each other updated, I will continue to get to know you.

✅ As I get to know you and you see a role out there, even if it’s OUTSIDE of my company, let me know and tell me how this is relevant to your story and career goals.

✅ Knowing your story helps me to believe and understand your strengths and your journey.

✅ There’s a likeliness that I’ll feel confident to pass your name and profile to other recruiting and/or hiring friends of mine. Especially if there is a fit! *dingdingding* Referral?!

✅ Even if I can’t directly help you today, I know of other people who can help.

👆🏼 I offered this to them, but also to you reading this. I'm sure there are also other recruiters, hiring managers, and people in general who are helpful in this way.

Also, I hope this shows the power of why playing the long game is important. This is how relationship-building can be to your advantage.

So next time you’re networking, coffee-chatting, or catching up and starting to think “this person has nothing for me right now”, stop, pause, and think about how to stay connected because you never know what can happen down the line.