Your Next Opportunity Is One Message Away: Networking Tips That Work
Stop Networking Like You're Begging for a Job
"I don't want to bother anyone."
She'd been sitting on a message to a former colleague for three weeks. Paralyzed by the fear of seeming desperate.
"What if you weren't asking for anything?" I said. "What if you were just reconnecting?"
That shift changed everything.
Six weeks later, that "bother" became a warm introduction to her next VP role.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ๐บ ๐ช๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด
Most CPGers treat networking like they're Oliver Twist asking for more porridge.
"Please sir, can I have a job?"
No wonder it feels awkward.
Here's what coaching taught me: The people who land the best roles aren't the best networkers. They're the best connectors.
They don't ask for favors. They start conversations.
๐ช๐ต๐ ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐ป'๐ ๐๐๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ฝ
A Brand Manager came to me after sending 100+ LinkedIn messages with zero responses.
I looked at her outreach: "I'm currently seeking new opportunities in brand management..."
"Stop telling people what you need," I said. "Start showing interest in what they're doing."
Her next message:
"Saw your post about the Kroger reset challenges. We faced something similar at General Mills last year. Have you tried [specific solution]? Would love to hear how it's going."
Response rate went from 0% to 40%.
Why? Because she shifted from taking to giving.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ
1. Start With Your Warm Network
Your CPG network is bigger than you think:
• Former colleagues who've moved companies
• Vendors and brokers you've worked with
• Cross-functional partners from past projects
• People you met at ECRM or Expo West
These aren't cold contacts. They're people who already know your value.
2. Make Your Outreach About Them
Bad: "I'm looking for a new role. Can we connect?"
Good: "Congrats on the Target expansion! How are you handling the increased demand?"
See the difference? One asks. One engages.
3. Lead With Value, Not Need
Before hitting send, ask yourself: "What can I offer this conversation?"
Maybe it's:
• An article relevant to their recent post
• An introduction to someone in your network
• Insight from your experience with their challenge
• Genuine appreciation for their work
My client who was "bothering" people? She reconnected by sharing a whitepaper on sustainable packaging that aligned with her contact's new role. That sparked a real conversation. That conversation led to coffee. That coffee led to an introduction. That introduction led to an offer.
๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐
Networking isn't a panic button you hit when you need a job. It's a practice you maintain throughout your career.
The 15-Minute Daily Practice:
• Monday: Comment thoughtfully on 3 LinkedIn posts
• Tuesday: Send 1 reconnection message
• Wednesday: Share an article with someone who'd value it
• Thursday: Congratulate someone on a win
• Friday: Thank someone who helped you this week
Small actions. Big compound effect.
Track Your Connections (Simply):
Create a basic spreadsheet:
• Name | Company | Last Contact | Next Step
That's it. Don't overcomplicate it.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ง๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐
Client A: Messaged a LinkedIn connection to congratulate them on a promotion. That led to learning about an unposted Director role. She got it.
Client B: Shared a relevant case study with a former vendor. They forwarded it to their new company's CMO. Interview within two weeks.
Client C: Commented on industry challenges in a CPG LinkedIn group. A lurking VP reached out directly. Created a role for him.
None of them asked for a job. All of them got one.
๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ข๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐๐ฎ๐
But it won't start with "I need a job."
It'll start with "I saw what you're working on..."
Your assignment: Pick one person from your CPG network. Someone you genuinely admire or are curious about. Send them a message that has nothing to do with your job search.
Just reconnect. Human to human.
Watch what happens when you stop networking and start connecting.
Who will you reconnect with today?
Looking for inspiration? Check out my LinkedIn post to see how others are making networking work for them. Join the conversation and share your own networking wins!
Ready to turn insight into action?
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