Hacker News Reader

Comment by wolongong942 | Hacker News Reader

Another weird one the 'JuSt NetWoRk Bro' people recommend is 'Just message random employees at the company on LinkedIn and ask them out for coffee'. I've often wondered if anybody has done this one successfully without just creeping out a bunch of people and getting blocked.

View on HN

Yes, I do that. Yes, it works. Don't come across as a creep. Be very clear that this isn't a transaction or that you're desperate. Show interest in other people. It's another one of those slow-burn recipes for success. I am, quite literally, on my way to lunch with someone right now, who I have never met in person but I randomly messaged three weeks ago. You'll be surprised by how fast the wheels can turn with a little grease and small shove, so long as you go in to it with no expectations and are prepared for a lot of rejection.

Yes, some people use networking to mean random reaching out for coffee, sending random LinkedIn requests, going to "networking" events, etc. Which is probably mostly fairly ineffective.

However, networking can also mean just keeping casually in touch with people with whom you have mutual interests and keeping somewhat visible.

Networking events are seriously low ROI. Always have been. That said, when you're panning for gold, you have to sift through a lot of dirt first.

Referral bonuses though, if your profile looks good I would probably do a quick coffee or even a video call nowadays and then pocket a nice little bonus if you make it :)

Keep in mind that some companies offer a nice bonus for a reference that leads to a hiring and it makes a lot more sense. I have seen referral bonuses up to 50k.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com