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I have gone both ways: a couple of my Product positions were through direct applying. Expect a low conversion rate for getting Interviews. My last one was through networking. Didn't apply anywhere randomly. Reached out to targeted people on LinkedIn, understood the company and being PM at the firm. Noticed a high rate of conversion in getting referred.
Few of pointers which I learnt:
1. Know what you bring to the table: This doesn't have to be domain knowledge. This could just be veraitality and excelling in your career
2. You may or may not be talking to the hiring manager/team: keep a broad focus and funnel down while chatting
3. Know the open roles at the firm
4. Network with the person not the title.
5. Don't JUST network with people from the firms which have available jobs. Find the industries/companies/products which excite you. Eventually you'll be managing a product and you have to kinda like it to make it better.
Facing similar challenges. Submitting applications is going nowhere
Networking has been extremely impactful, in my experience. Having someone refer you on the inside always seems to help with getting ahead.
If you’re applying and not getting initiations to the next step, have someone review your resume. We tend to get so wrapped in our resumes that it’s helpful to have a fresh pair of eyes call out mistakes and note where you can add more context and clarity.
What specific industry are you looking to get into?
Referrals and networking are pretty much a must have for FAANG given how competitive it is
Bowl Leader
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve gotten was from an older male professional who never applied to any job listing directly, he always ALWAYS networked first. He essentially said there’s no point unless you’re networking.
I don’t think there’s *no* point, but have seen it just be so so so much more effective if you can network your way there
Do you all have tips you can share for networking? I have had a few conversations start out as just sharing company info/culture, but when transitioning to the referral... ghosted
Bowl Leader
The most effective networking I’ve seen was or through a venue that was not clearly related to getting a job. Attend workshops, go to speaker events, get involved in things outside of work and meet people that way, build relationships for real and then when you ask for a referral it’s not as much of a favor. I think networking is a constant practice.
On the other hand, try to also find people from your college or past jobs who are at the company you’re at now, you’ll have more to relate on and more likely for a coffee chat to feel like it’s building a real relationship.