Analyzing Employee Experience Trends

Directors and VPs: Your network is expiring right now, and you do not know it. I see this every week with the senior professionals I work with. They have impressive titles, strong track records, and a LinkedIn connection count that looks healthy on paper. But the moment they need their network, they discover the truth. It was never a network. It was a contact list. Here is what separates the professionals who get called first for opportunities from the ones who are still waiting: 𝟭. 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 Identify the ten people most relevant to where you want to go next. Then ask yourself one honest question: when did you last add value to any of them without needing something back? A contact list waits to be activated. A network grows whether you need it or not. 𝟮. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 Before asking for anything, give something first. Share a relevant article, acknowledge a genuine win, or offer an introduction that benefits them. The senior professionals with the strongest networks are not the best askers. They are the most consistent givers. 𝟯. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 Most professionals network laterally. The ones who grow fastest network upwards. Identify five people who are already where you want to be in three years. One relationship at that level is worth more than fifty connections at your current one. 𝟰. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰 Never send "I would love to connect and explore opportunities." It signals zero preparation and zero respect for their time. Reference something specific about their work, their company, or their recent activity. Specificity signals you did the work. Generality signals you did not do it. 𝟱. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Networking is not a series of one-off interactions. It is a presence you maintain over time without an agenda. Comment meaningfully, respond to updates, and check in without needing something. The professionals who get called first are not always the most qualified. They are simply the most present. A network is not built when you need it. It is built long before that moment arrives. And the professionals who understand this are never the ones caught starting from zero. Save this post if you are a Director or VP who knows your network needs attention. If you are ready to work on your positioning and your network intentionally, send me a message. I want to make sure it is the right fit before we start.

“Trust is built when people speak well of you in rooms you’re not in.” I am inundated at the moment with messages offering to find me new clients. A new service, a piece of tech and all usually involving AI. These strangers are after my money! But I know where my next deal will come from, and I don't need to pay a "carpetbagger" to help. For as long as I can remember, my new business has always come from my network, either directly or through an introduction. "𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥. 𝐈'𝐦 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩" But of course, for this approach to work, you must build and maintain a network. You must create trust and clearly express your ask. You must be visible and approachable. You must be trusted. To help you and those in your network, I have written this article, breaking down seven practical steps to optimise your networking, built from years of experience growing global communities through Scottish Business Network and working across international markets. In the article, I focus on what actually drives results: clear intent, relevant connections, adding value, active listening, consistent follow-up, making introductions, and building long-term relationships. If you are serious about improving your networking strategy, personal brand, and business development, this is worth a read because small shifts in how you approach networking can have a disproportionate impact on outcomes. This advice is relevant for the entrepreneur building their business, the undergraduate starting their career and those who have suddenly found themselves losing their job. Please share, and hopefully, between us, we can help someone in need. What will you do differently this week to strengthen your professional network and build relationships that actually create opportunities?

In a world where your online profile could be your first handshake, the age-old art of in-person networking can feel like a lost relic. Yet, there’s an undeniable magic in the live, human connection that no digital interface can replicate. So, when you're stepping into the arena of face-to-face networking, how do you harness that magic effectively? Let’s break down the strategic play into clear, actionable tactics for making a lasting impact. Invent a Signature Ice-Breaker: Create an engaging question or share an interesting anecdote that’s personal and reflective of your interests. Rehearse it enough so that it feels natural, allowing you to deliver it with confidence and ease. Enter with Purpose: Clarify your intentions before the event. Are you there to find new clients, potential partners, or maybe to scout for new talent? With every handshake and introduction, have a clear objective in mind to drive the conversation. Ask with Precision: Arm yourself with well-thought-out questions that are relevant to current industry trends and individual expertise. Aim to get deeper insights by asking for examples and experiences, not just surface-level information. Listen Actively: Show genuine interest in responses, maintaining eye contact and responsive body language. Build on their replies with thoughtful, engaging follow-up questions. Exchange Value: Go into every conversation with the mindset of what you can offer them—an idea, a connection, or even just an interesting conversation. True networking is reciprocal; aim to provide value in every exchange. Connect and Follow Up: Whether you prefer a classic business card or a digital link, have your contact information readily accessible. Cement new connections with a personalized follow-up message within a day of the meeting. With these tactics in your arsenal, you’re ready to turn every networking opportunity into a strategic stepping stone for your professional journey. Remember, it’s the quality of the connections, not just the quantity, that builds a robust network.

Networking for board-level success isn’t about attending every event. It’s about tapping into the relationships you’ve already built. If you're not leveraging the people you already know, you’re missing out on huge opportunities. Here’s the thing: You already have a network. Your colleagues, friends, clients, suppliers, and even those you’ve collaborated with—they’re your network. You don’t need to collect business cards or go to every networking event. You just need to use what’s already at your fingertips. How can you tap into your existing network to unlock board opportunities? Here’s how: 1️⃣ Want to know when board opportunities arise? It’s not about who you know—it’s about who knows you. When you're genuinely connected with people in your network, they'll think of you when those board opportunities come up. Your colleagues, clients, and industry peers are often the first to hear about these openings—way before they’re posted publicly. So, make sure you’re engaging with them regularly and letting them know you’re interested in board roles. Keep the conversation alive, and they’ll bring you the opportunities before anyone else even hears about them. 2️⃣ Need to know if a board is the right fit for you? One of the best ways to evaluate a potential board is by getting the inside scoop from someone who's been there. It’s about using your network to get the real story. Maybe you know someone who’s been on that board, or someone who has worked closely with them. Their perspective on the culture, leadership, and overall dynamics will give you insights you can’t get anywhere else. This kind of knowledge helps you make an informed decision before you even apply. 3️⃣ Looking for a mentor or someone to mentor? Networking isn’t just about climbing the ladder—it’s about helping each other grow. Look at your existing connections and think about who you could learn from or who you could help. Maybe someone’s been where you are and can offer invaluable guidance. Or perhaps you’re the one with knowledge to share. Mentorship goes both ways. When you nurture these relationships, you build a network that’s not only valuable for career advancement but also personally fulfilling. Here’s the key takeaway: Networking isn’t about getting something—it’s about creating genuine connections and sharing value. When you focus on building relationships and providing value to others, opportunities will follow. These aren’t just “business” relationships; they’re partnerships that evolve over time. Genuine conversations lead to authentic opportunities, and that’s where the real magic happens. Pro Tip: Want to unlock board-level success? Stop thinking of your network as a list of contacts and start seeing it as a group of people you’ve built meaningful, ongoing relationships with. Follow up. Offer help. Stay in touch. That's how you build the trust that opens doors.

Have you noticed the surge in suspicious LinkedIn connection requests lately? As our professional networks become increasingly valuable, it's crucial to be discerning about who we connect with. Here's what I've been seeing and why we should all take a few moments to vet connection requests: ⚠️ Red flags I'm noticing: 🚩 Empty or skeletal profiles with no or minimal employment history, yet claiming executive positions – if someone's truly a CEO, wouldn't they have a track record to showcase? 🚩 Profiles boasting 10,000+ followers but zero engagement or posted content. Authentic influence typically comes with consistent interaction and valuable contributions to professional discussions. 🚩 Missing basics like education details, profile photos that look AI-generated, or no customized LinkedIn URL – these take minutes to set up for legitimate users building their professional presence. Why does this matter? Your LinkedIn network isn't just a number – it's your professional reputation and a gateway to opportunities. Each connection potentially has access to: ✔️ Your professional network and mutual connections ✔️ Updates about your career moves and company ✔️ Content you share and engage with Before hitting "Accept," take 30 seconds to: 1️⃣ Review their profile completeness – does it have a comprehensive work history, education, and authentic-looking profile photo? 2️⃣ Scrutinize mutual connections – having shared connections isn't a guarantee of legitimacy (since many people automatically accept all requests), so check if you share connections with reputable professionals who actively engage with this person. 3️⃣ Look at their business or employer company page on LinkedIn – if they claim to work at "Tech Solutions Inc," click the company name on their profile. Does the company have a legitimate LinkedIn presence? How many employees are listed? A real company typically has an established page with regular posts. 4️⃣ Examine their activity – are they posting original content, making thoughtful comments, or sharing industry insights? Empty profiles or those only sharing motivational quotes might be red flags. 5️⃣ Verify professional certifications – if someone claims to be certified (like an ACRW (Academy Certified Resume Writer) or CPRW (Certified Professional Resume Writer)) check them out. Most legitimate industry organizations and/or certifying bodies maintain public directories of their certified members. A quick check of the certifying organization's website can verify these credentials. Remember: A strong professional network is built on quality connections, not quantity. It's better to have 500 genuine professional relationships than 5,000 connections of questionable authenticity.

More relationships don’t create opportunities. The right ones do. Most professionals approach networking like expansion... Add more people. Attend more events. Stay visible everywhere. It feels productive, but it rarely changes how the market sees you. Because networking is not a volume gamet’s a positioning system. The people you surround yourself with don’t just fill your calendar... They shape your perception. They signal your level. They influence how seriously you’re taken. They determine which rooms you get invited into next. So when your network is random, your positioning becomes unclear. You’re seen in too many directions, across too many circles. Without a clear association. And the market doesn’t reward that. It doesn’t try to understand you deeply. It simplifies you quickly. Now compare that to a focused network: Fewer people. But aligned thinking. Shared standards. Clear direction. Suddenly, everything compounds. Your name starts showing up in the right conversations. Opportunities feel more intentional, less forced. Your presence carries more weight… without saying more. Because authority is not built by how many people know you. It’s built by who knows you… and what they represent. The right network doesn’t just open doors. It positions you as someone who belongs behind them.

A senior cloud architect sent me a connection request last week with this message: "I'm interested in roles at AWS. Do you have any openings that fit my background?" No context. No relationship.  And no research into the roles I might work on. I see versions of this 30–40 times a week. And I know the intent is good — people are trying to follow the advice they're given: "Network to land your next role." The problem? Most people are confusing outreach with networking. After a decade in technical recruiting, I've noticed a clear pattern: The people who land roles faster aren't sending more DMs. They've built visibility before they ever hit send. Here's what commonly shows up in my inbox: "I recently interviewed — can you follow up?" "Do you have 15 minutes for a coffee chat?" "I'm seeking a Solutions Architect role." People are taking action. That's not the issue. The issue is that recruiters and hiring managers get dozens of these messages daily — all from people they don't know. At that volume, it's almost impossible to know how to help. At the senior level, transactional networking rarely turns into opportunity. Sound familiar? So what does strategic networking actually look like? It's less about who you message — and more about who already recognizes your name when you do. Here are five true networking approaches I’d recommend to senior-level tech professionals: 1️⃣ Engage in tech-specific LinkedIn groups  This creates one-to-many visibility. Hiring managers and recruiters are often in the same spaces — credibility builds through contribution. 2️⃣ Comment meaningfully on posts from leaders in your space  Skip "Great post." Add perspective based on experience. Do this consistently and your name starts showing up in the right feeds. 3️⃣ Share insights from your own work  You don't need thought-leadership essays. A poll about a challenge you're navigating. A short reflection on a lesson learned. Even adding your take to someone else's post. The goal is visibility, not virality. 4️⃣ Write recommendations for former teammates  In addition to helping a teammate out, your name will appear on their profile. This is passive visibility that compounds. 5️⃣ Engage with hiring managers before messaging them  Comment on what they share. When you eventually reach out, you're not a stranger — you're familiar. I've seen this shift change the trajectory of job searches. Not because someone's resume suddenly improved — but because the right people already knew who they were before a role opened. 👉 Which of these five are you already doing or planning to start? Drop the number below. And if someone in your network is in search mode, feel free to share this with them.

In the startup world, funding, partnerships, and opportunities rarely happen in isolation. They come through connections—the right conversation at the right time. Take the story of Tope Awotona, the founder of Calendly. In 2013, frustrated by the inefficiencies of scheduling meetings, Tope invested his life savings into developing Calendly. Operating from Atlanta Tech Village, he collaborated with the Kyiv-based firm Railsware to bring his idea to life. He poured his life savings into his idea but struggled to raise funds. At first, venture capitalists weren’t convinced—some didn’t understand the product’s full potential, while others were skeptical of its ability to compete in a crowded market. Rather than getting discouraged, Awotona focused on making connections with investors who shared his vision. In 2017, networking led him to OpenView Venture Partners, which became Calendly’s first institutional investor. OpenView provided not just funding but also strategic insights to help the company scale efficiently. Then, in 2021, after years of steady growth, networking played a crucial role again when Iconiq Capital led a $350 million Series B round, valuing Calendly at over $3 billion. Without Awotona’s ability to forge relationships with the right investors, Calendly might not have reached unicorn status. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or professional, strategic networking can open doors you never imagined. Here’s how: 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝: Before reaching out, understand what you're looking for—advice, funding, partnerships, or mentorship. The clearer you are, the more effective your networking efforts will be. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞: Networking isn’t just about taking; it’s about giving. Share insights, introduce contacts, or offer help where you can. Relationships built on mutual benefit last longer. 𝐁𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞: Attend the right conferences and events for your sector. Surround yourself with people who share your interests and aspirations. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Cold outreach can work, but a warm introduction from a mutual connection is far more effective. Build relationships with connectors who can introduce you to the right people. 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐔𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝: A single conversation isn’t enough. Stay in touch and continue providing value. Long-term relationships often lead to the biggest opportunities. Awotona’s story is proof that networking isn’t just about meeting people—it’s about building relationships that can change the course of your business or career. So ask yourself: Are you positioning yourself in the right circles? Are you engaging in conversations that could change your journey? Because in this ecosystem, sometimes the right handshake is worth more than a hundred cold emails.

Most professionals treat LinkedIn networking like casual activity. Connect. Like a few posts. Hope something happens. After 20+ years in HR leadership and executive coaching, I can tell you this: Job offers don’t come from random networking. They come from strategic visibility and intentional conversations. Here’s what actually converts LinkedIn into real opportunities: 1/ Optimize your profile Your headline and summary must communicate outcomes, not responsibilities. Decision-makers need clarity in seconds. 2/ Build a targeted network Relevance matters more than volume. Connect with people in roles, companies, and functions aligned with your next move. 3/ Engage with intent Thoughtful comments on decision-makers posts build familiarity. Familiarity builds trust. 4/ Send personalized short requests Context separates you from noise. 5/ Start meaningful conversations Give before you Get. Ask about their experience and journey. Rapport comes before opportunity. 6/ Request insights, not jobs Advice opens doors. Direct asks close them prematurely. 7/ Show your thinking publicly in thought leadership posts Credibility compounds when people see how you analyze problems. 8/ Stay consistently visible Opportunities favor those who remain top of mind. 9/ Express interest clearly Specificity signals seriousness. 10/ Follow up thoughtfully Warm relationships outperform cold outreach. Across the executives I’ve coached into Director, VP, C-suite, and board roles, there is one common theme: Offers rarely follow applications at the speed of genuine digital networking. They follow relationships. Several of my clients were approached directly by hiring leaders who had been quietly watching their posts and engagement for months. That visibility changed the conversation before the interview ever began. LinkedIn works when it’s treated as a positioning platform, not a scrolling platform. If you’re ready to turn networking into structured opportunity and access the hidden job market, DM me “NETWORK.” I’ll share how we build this system inside Career Pivot Academy and map out what it could look like for you.

In a few weeks, you’ll see me in a podcast interview where I talk about the job search and some things that I have learned over the years in the #veteranemployment space. While there have been many lessons I have learned, one lesson continues to be more valuable than the others… One of the biggest mistakes professionals make is waiting until they’re unemployed or unhappy to start networking. When you’re actively looking for a job, networking often feels transactional. You’re asking for introductions, referrals, or opportunities from people you may not have spoken to in years. While many people are happy to help, those relationships are much stronger when they’ve been built over time, not only when you need something. The best career opportunities rarely come from clicking “Apply Now.” They come from conversations. (Have these at a Mission43 Happy Hour!) They come from someone remembering your work ethic. They come from a former colleague recommending you for a position before it’s ever posted. They come from a hiring manager who already knows who you are because you’ve consistently stayed connected. Your professional network is an investment. Like any investment, it grows through consistent deposits. Here are a few simple ways to build your network before you need it: 🥇Reach out to one former coworker each week just to catch up. 🥇Attend local industry events, conferences, or networking groups. 🥇Engage with people on LinkedIn by commenting thoughtfully on their posts. 🥇Share your own experiences, lessons learned, and professional insights. 🥇Offer help without expecting anything in return. Networking isn’t about collecting connections, it’s about building genuine relationships. The reality is that careers change. Companies restructure. Industries evolve. Life happens. When that day comes, you’ll want a network that knows you, trusts you, and is willing to advocate for you. Don’t wait until your resume is updated to start investing in your professional relationships. Build your network while things are going well, and your future self will thank you.