Stop Applying. Start Connecting: The Real Strategy Behind a Successful Job Search
4 Sept 2025
If you're sitting at home, scrolling job boards and firing off CVs into the void, I’ve got some hard truths for you: you’re not job hunting — you’re gambling. And worse, you're doing it on a rigged table.
Job boards, LinkedIn job posts, online applications… they all give the impression that tools are out there to help you. In reality, most of them are engagement farms designed to keep you scrolling, not to get you hired. These platforms are not optimised for your success — they’re optimised for their own traffic, data, and ad revenue.
So if you're serious about landing a great role, you need to stop being reactive and start being proactive. Here's how.
Networking isn’t sleazy. It’s necessary.
Most people hate the word “networking” because it conjures up images of awkward events, business cards, and performative small talk. But here’s the reality: if nobody knows you exist, nobody is going to hire you.
Every single person you speak to is a chance to put yourself in someone’s head. That’s the goal. Not to extract something. Not to "get a job." Just to be memorable. To have someone walk away thinking:
“John's great. He’s looking for X. That’s good to know.”
That mental post-it note? That’s where opportunities come from.
Don’t make it transactional. Make it human.
Too many people approach networking like it’s a deal: “I give you my CV, you give me a lead.”
That’s not how humans work. You’re not pitching. You’re not buying something. You’re just… making friends. Be warm. Be curious. Be interested in their world. Ask questions. Share what you’re looking for, but don’t make it an ask. Make it a conversation.
The best networking calls I’ve ever had? We barely talked about jobs. We talked about careers, what’s changing in our industries, what’s hard right now. That’s where the connection happens.
Make it easy for people to help you.
When someone gives you their time, your job is to make it incredibly easy for them to remember who you are and how they might help.
That starts with having your value proposition clear and tight:
Who you are
What you’re looking for
The kind of company or leader you want to work with
Why it matters to you
Then, ask for advice. Not intros. Not jobs. Advice.
People love giving advice — and once they hear your story, they’ll often offer to connect you with others without being asked. That’s the magic.
Still, if you’re feeling brave, try ending your call with this:
“I’m really trying to grow my network at the moment. Totally no pressure, but are there two people you’d be happy to introduce me to? Just for a similar kind of chat.”
Most people will say yes. And if you do this consistently, your network will explode.
Structure helps. But people matter more.
There are four job search strategies I’ve used:
Networking (see above — it’s #1 for a reason)
Headhunters & recruiters (same principles apply — build relationships)
Direct outreach to target companies (hit and miss unless warm intros are involved)
Responding to job ads (lowest hit rate, unless paired with a warm intro to the hiring manager)
Here’s the harsh truth: I’ve never had much success with cold outreach to target companies. Without a route in, you’re just noise in someone’s inbox. That’s why your network matters so much — it’s the gateway to those “unreachable” companies.
So if you’re building a list of target companies, don’t start with Google. Start with people.
Ask your network:
“What companies should I be talking to? Do you know anyone there?”
Even if they don’t know someone well enough to intro you, now you’ve got a warm trail to follow. That beats a speculative email any day.
Map your network. You’ll be surprised who’s ready to help.
Do this: write down everyone you know. Group them:
Inner circle: people you’d WhatsApp today
Outer circle: people who know you and would take a call
Distant: people you barely know but have some connection to
Then start reaching out. Don’t overthink it. Don’t assume people will or won’t help. You’ll be surprised. Some of your “close” contacts will ghost you. Some of your “random LinkedIn likes” will become champions.
If someone likes your LinkedIn post? Message them.
“Hey, thanks for the like — I was just thinking about you! Fancy a catch-up?”
This stuff works.
Networking is about increasing your surface area for luck.
People often say others are just “lucky” in their job search.
They’re not. They’re exposed.
They’ve made themselves known to more people. They’ve had more conversations. They’ve had more people think, “Oh, I should connect you with…”
That’s not luck. That’s strategy.
TL;DR: The Real Job Search Playbook
Stop trusting platforms. Trust people.
Have a clear proposition. Share it often.
Make it easy for others to help you.
Keep it human. Don’t pitch — connect.
Ask for introductions (two per call is gold).
Follow every trail. Message every liker.
Grow your surface area. That’s how luck finds you