Section 12: Professional Networking
Building your network takes time and effort.
The best way to grow your network is by setting small, manageable goals.
As convenient as it would be to build an expansive network overnight, it’s simply not possible. Building your network requires continued small efforts day after after. Executing these efforts become easier when you attch them to a goal
An example goal could be to connect with 3 people on LinkedIn each day. This goal is achievable, focuses on high-quality connections, and won't flag your profile, which can happen with too many requests in a short period (~100 requests within a week).
Here are the steps to find connections at companies you're interested in. These are for the desktop version of LinkedIn, and may be slightly different if you're using the mobile app.
In the search bar, enter the company you're interested in.
On the next page, click the People tab at the top.
On the same page, click All Filters.
Scroll down to Past Company and add military branches you want to find people from.
(Optional) Narrow your search further by adding specific job titles under Title.
Click Show Results.
If you want to connect with service academy alumni (West Point, Naval Academy, etc.) you can search for these individuals using the School filter.
Review the search results for people you're interested in connecting with. When you're ready to connect, view their profile and click the blue Connect button. After hitting Connect, a pop-up box will come up asking if you want to add a note to your request.
It’s helpful to include a note when connecting with someone you don't know. There’s a 300-character limit, so you have to be brief. This is a perfect opportunity to share something you have in common (branch of service, job, school, location). Here's an example:
Hi Paul! I saw you're a Navy vet working as a Project Manager in the Seattle area. I'm getting ready to transition from the Navy and would love to learn about your journey. Looking forward to connecting!
After they accept your request, you can follow-up by asking if they're open to a 20-30-minute chat. Keep in mind that not everyone will be open to a conversation or respond immediately. Many people are busy or may not be on LinkedIn that often.
For those open to a chat, prepare for the conversation ahead of time. Write down the questions you want to ask. During the chat, focus on listening and learning from their experience. You should also be prepared to share your background, where you're at in the process, and what you're looking for next.
Example questions to ask include:
What were the biggest challenges you encountered when leaving the military?
Was there anything that caught you by surprise during your transition?
Were there any resources or organizations you found particularly helpful?
What are some of the similarities and differences between the military and working at [Company X]?
Are there any skills or experience from the military that you continue to use today?
You never know where they conversations could lead. Some will be a one-off chat, while others could lead to continued mentorships, life-long friendships, and even job opportunities.