TennisandSales

Head Of Sales

Acclaimed Answer

How I network to have job security

There was a post about job hunting the other day and I mentioned that if you have to apply to 42 jobs your network sucks.

@DungeonsNDemos asked how I network so i thought I would share my thoughts. I have NO idea if this will work for other ppl but it has been SUPER helpful for me.

the #1 thing is to be genuinely curious about other ppls roles, career paths, and current gig. People LOVE talking about themselves.

Conferences: other vendors are normally not my prospects but its a great place to meet other sales ppl and hear about what they do, how they do it. Sometimes you meet VPs or directors, sometimes other AEs. ive been able to make connections where I can help others too which is cool.
Your own company: when ever I have joined a new company one thing I try to do is meet as many people as possible. Especially if you are in an org that has different divisions/products. Get to know everyone you never know where those connections can lead.
Competitors: I have reached out to AE's and Directors of my competitors on linked in before. just being friendly and wanting to swap stories. This has been really helpful I now work as a partner with one of those ppl i connected with a few years back.

I normally shoot ppl messages on linked in then see if we can set up a 30 min zoom meeting.

Last time I did this was with a VP of sales for a different product line at my company. I shot him a message that said "hey Sandy I see you are also apart of the XXXX team! I would love t connect since I see the success your team is having but I dont know alot about the product."

Anyone else have success with this? I TRULY believe this is a main reason why I have not had to actually "apply" for jobs in the last few years.

🎈 Mentorship

🤝 Networking

22

29 comments

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SaaSguy

Tycoon

10

Account Executive

Network within your company to have job security as well. If you bump shoulders with big stakeholders you become stickier and less likely to get let go.

TennisandSales

Politicker

2

Head Of Sales

Yep i agree, wether its the right thing or not idk but it does seem to work that way.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

4

🦊

You can never go wrong networking friend.

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

2

Bravado's Resident Asshole

Just as long as you aren't doing it like this...

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

3

Bravado's Resident Asshole

Yes, the job I have now was because of my network. I just had to send in my resume and that was it basically.

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

nice!!! its SUCH a good feeling. i also know that if something happens tomorrow at my current gig ill have a new job in a week.

travelhappy

Fire Starter

1

sales executive

what do you say to competitors? like, 'hey, we are in the same space ... i'm sure we'll have some interesting war stories to share,' something like that?

TennisandSales

Politicker

0

Head Of Sales

not really here ive said a few things:

1. "hey ____ i saw you at the conference last week and didnt get a chance to pop over. ive been trying to meet everyone since our industry is so small. you guys seem to be doing really well! how is it going for you personally?"

2. hey ___ totally random but are you the AE working the ____ deal? I was just told they selected you, nice work! although I hope it doesnt happen again 😂 just thought I would connect.

GDO

Politicker

2

BDM

1 and 2 comes naturally to me. Competitors is a bit more difficult

TennisandSales

Politicker

2

Head Of Sales

why do you say that?

GDO

Politicker

0

BDM

I just try to not interact with them. 😅

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

2

Rolling 20's all day

Thanks for the writeup! Networking has been how I've gotten pretty much all of my jobs.
Definitely is a long-term play.

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

glad its helpful! yeah it took me years to understand how to do this or the real value in it. but once i did, its REALLY helped me advance my career, earn more money, and have job security.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

2

Sales Rep

Should have read this before I posted!

TennisandSales

Politicker

2

Head Of Sales

👍

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Perfect! Yes, I do this.

I also make sure that I reflect the qualities that I appreciate in others at my company - helpfulness and a willingness to engage. So if someone reaches out to me with a question or needing something, I make sure I'm responsive, respectful, etc. This makes a difference!

TennisandSales

Politicker

2

Head Of Sales

LOVE this. i 100% want to be known as the guy that helps people out and not the hard to talk too annoying sales guy haha

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

This makes you the first person they think of when there's an opening at the next place they land.

It's one reason I got contacted for the job I'm currently in.

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

BOOM! love it.

nomdeguerre

Executive

1

Account executive

Cool, thanks for sharing. Those are all great ideas for creating a network.

TennisandSales

Politicker

3

Head Of Sales

glad its helpful! have you found success in the past in any of these areas?

flaminga

1

BDR

How about online networking? Platforms or apps (as the War Room), any tips or thoughts for that?

... also, would War Room be a place to network? How?

TennisandSales

Politicker

3

Head Of Sales

yeah i mean ive used Linked In to do what i mention in the post. I think that is the best tool as of now.

WR COULD be a place to network but it would mean connecting outside of the platform and both ppl being ok with giving up their anonymity.

I have been able to DM with a number of ppl and feel like I have helped them and thy have helped me but we dont know who each other is IRL so its a little different haha

Smilesndialz

Politicker

1

SDR

Thank you for sharing this! 😊

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🙌🙌

jefe

Arsonist

0

🍁

Thanks for the insight!

daveayala7

0

Project Manager

This is some great insight!

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

Thanks glad it’s helpful!

ChickenDinner

Politicker

0

Account Executive

thats a good word

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