How To Network For Career Growth Before The Job Is Ever Posted

What do you picture when I say "networking"?

A crowded reception after work, a slightly wilted cheese platter, and a name tag that never quite sticks where it should? You're balancing a drink, scanning the room, deciding whether to walk up to a group mid-conversation or pretend to check your phone a moment longer.

We all know we need to network, but most of us think we don't like doing it. We think it feels fake or transactional.

So when a newsletter subscriber recently wrote to ask me: How do I network for career growth, especially when so many good roles are filled before they are ever advertised openly? … I had a lot of thoughts. It's such a smart question, particularly for mid-career professionals.

Because the truth is, networking doesn't have to look like forced small talk in an over-airconditioned hotel conference room. At its best, it's much more human than that. It's about building relationships before you need something, and staying top of mind with people who know your strengths, your values, and the kind of contribution you make.

Right now, the network you do (or don't) have matters more than ever. With employers increasingly using AI in hiring and candidates using AI tools to apply faster and at greater scale, the volume around posted jobs has intensified. LinkedIn's Future of Recruiting 2025 reporting notes that hiring is becoming more automated and more skills-focused, while applicant volume remains a challenge for many employers. In plain English: if you're relying only on online applications, you're entering a very crowded field.

That doesn't mean posted jobs are irrelevant — but they shouldn't be your only strategy. Many of the best opportunities are shared quietly first, because someone thought, You know who would be great for this?

That's why one of my top pieces of career advice is simple: Build your network before you need it.

Here are five ways to do that well.

1. Reframe networking as relationship-building

One reason people resist networking is that the word itself feels transactional — schmoozing, business cards, conversation with an agenda. No wonder so many talented professionals avoid it!

A better way to think about it is relationship-building with intention. You're not showing up only when you need a favor. You're staying connected over time and offering support, insight, or a helpful connection when you can.

In my own work, I've seen referrals come from senior executives, peers, and even people much earlier in their careers. You never know which relationship will become meaningful later — which is why I encourage clients not to network only "up." A small network of strong relationships will usually do more for your career than a large network of superficial ones.

2. Make your value more visible

A lot of professionals assume that if they work hard and do excellent work, people will notice. Sometimes they do, often they don’t. Career growth is also about perception, visibility, and relevance. If people don't know what you're especially good at, they're much less likely to think of you when an opportunity surfaces.

You don't need to become self-promotional. You do need to help others connect the dots, whether that’s sharing a thoughtful perspective on LinkedIn, speaking up in a cross-functional meeting, mentoring someone in your field, or commenting meaningfully on topics relevant to your expertise.

The goal is clear visibility. What do you want to be known for?

If you've taken my Promotability Index® career self-assement, you know advancement isn't just about doing your job well. It's also about whether others can see your leadership potential and imagine you at the next level.

3. Build a strategic relationship map

You don't need to know everyone, but you do need to know who matters most to your growth.

Here’s a practical exercise to get you started: identify five to ten relationships that are especially important to keep open doors for your future. These might be a current or former boss, a respected peer, a sponsor or advocate, someone in an adjacent industry, a connector who knows many people, a former client who thinks highly of your work.

Then ask: What is this person focused on right now? How might I support them? What do I want them to understand about my strengths and direction? When did we last connect?

Harvard Business Review has long emphasized that leaders need more than one type of network. Herminia Ibarra and Mark Hunter's work on operational, personal, and strategic networks is still relevant:

The relationships that help you do your current job aren't always the ones that expose you to future opportunities. Quality matters more than quantity.

4. Be specific about what you want

One of the most common networking mistakes I see is being too vague. People say things like, "Let me know if you hear of anything." That sounds flexible, but it isn't very useful and people can't advocate for you if they don't know what you're aiming toward.

Be clear about the level of role you're targeting, the business problems you want to solve, the industries that interest you, and the types of introductions that would help.

For example: "I'm especially interested in VP-level roles where I can lead transformation and help organizations navigate change with clarity. If anyone comes to mind doing that kind of work, I'd be grateful for an introduction."

That's far easier to act on than "I'm open to anything." Specificity is a gift; it makes it easier for people to remember you, refer you, and connect you to the right opportunities.

5. Treat networking as a rhythm, not a rescue plan

The most effective networking is consistent. I bet you already know what it looks like: a quick text to congratulate someone, a relevant article forwarded with one thoughtful sentence, a coffee every few months, a quarterly check-in with a former colleague. Handwritten, postmarked notes are still the gold standard. I just sent three a couple of weeks ago for people who really want the extra mile for me — and received with huge smiles. Gratitude on paper stands out in an endless sea of email. They’re a great way to deepen the relationship. 

 The market moves quickly and teams reorganize. Roles are created and  reshaped before they ever reach a job board.  And in a labor market shaped by automation, that human layer becomes even more valuable.

So think of networking as part of your career infrastructure, not as a last resort. It should be a daily practice, like brushing your teeth. .

Final thoughts

Don't wait until you need a job to start building your network. Be visible now; be helpful and specific. Stay in touch with former colleagues and that interesting person you met at that conference.

Do this consistently and the payoff compounds: a stronger reputation, a wider perspective, more promotability. And when the right opportunity surfaces — often before it's ever posted — your name is already in the room.

This question came from a newsletter subscriber. If you're not yet on the list, join us! I share practical strategies on leadership, promotability, and navigating your career with more clarity.