Career Services in Coda! [Katie Rivard]

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Career Services in Coda! [Katie Rivard]

Networking & Social Media

Getting a Job Through Current Connections

10 minute read

Although you may be an incredibly talented designer, finding a job can still be made easier if you know someone willing to vouch for your character and work ethic. Having someone in your inner circle who can speak directly to a hiring manager can help get your foot in the door much more quickly than going through the typical application process.

This is why it’s important to grow a thriving network and continue cultivating meaningful, beneficial, and personal connections.

Much like growing a flower, it all starts with planting a seed first before it blooms. Networking can take time, but by nurturing the relationships you build, it can continue to blossom into something great. Over time, your network will reciprocate in positive ways, for instance, by introducing you to great people or other resources.

By now, you're familiar with empathy-fostering skills in user-centered design. Cultivating meaningful connections is no different, in that it requires genuine curiosity and mutual respect for the people you wish to connect with.

Before reaching out to someone, it’s important to understand why you’re contacting this person and for what purpose. While part of the intention includes securing a new job, that should not be the sole focus of building the relationship. It’s essential to know how your connection could benefit them.

The importance of reciprocating

Reciprocation is often underemphasized in the networking process, and it can go a long way with potential hiring managers.

When connecting with people, look for ways that you can give back to them—or even give first. Approaching someone with clarity on how the relationship can benefit both of you will not only be more fulfilling—it also makes it more likely that the other person will follow through on any commitment they make. Demonstrating an ability to reciprocate can indicate sincerity; new contacts will take note of this, and perhaps keep you in mind if they hear of any opportunities.

These contacts may also be able to provide referrals to job opportunities, and not just within their own companies, but within their personal networks. The design community can be smaller than you imagine, and if you show compassion and care for each contact, it can help lead to your first—or next—job.

Once you build the relationship with a new connection, it doesn’t end once you get your first job. The relationship should continue to grow, which might lead to more opportunities and contacts in the future.

Misconceptions

I might feel like you are “using” people to gain employment. However, you shouldn’t feel guilty about building your network and then leveraging your contacts. If you set out to build relationships based on mutual respect and reciprocration, everyone wins, and as a design community we can help one another reach our goals.

Also, networking shouldn’t be limited to your current, close circle of peers with shared interests. As with everything design, push beyond your comfort zone, and create a community of contacts that includes people outside your immediate area of the industry. Even if it doesn’t lead to job opportunities, you’ll benefit from connecting with a more diverse range of perspectives and ideas.

While it’s important to be a part of the design community and build a network, it’s still unlikely that you’ll land you first design job based on a referral. But by starting to network at this stage, you’re laying the groundwork for future opportunities. Seek to get in touch with people in companies or sectors that you’d like to be a part of. And the people you connect with don’t have to be on the design team!

Once you start building a network, it’s important to share it with others. You may not be interested in some job opportunities that come your way, but you might know of a few people that would be perfect for the position. Figure out how you can help others to build their connections as you continue to cultivate your own.

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