Why your networking contact might not be responding

It’s easy to become frustrated when networking, but you have to remember that you can’t control timing. You can’t control who gets back to you or how soon, and just like you can’t control which jobs will be open when you graduate. If you’re networking because you’re graduating, be sure to remind yourself that finding a job is a full-time job in itself and much of it is also an exercise in patience.

The good news about networking, though, for whatever purpose you’re doing it, is that you will get out of it what you put into it. Eventually, contacts WILL get back to you. If you’re patient and make a diligent effort to work on developing your relationships with contacts and expanding your contact base, you will see results. You just have to commit to the process to make it happen.

Remember that you can engage contacts for a lot of different reasons… you just need to HAVE a reason. If you’re sending a quick update, that’s great! But you likely won’t get a response. That’s ok, though, because you’ve ticked the most important box: you popped up on their radar. Here are some examples of outreach that is good to send (to be on the radar) but may not garner a response (and, again, that’s ok!):

• Send an update on a course or class project
• Write and mail a thank you note
• Send a link to an article (unless you ask a question about it!)
• Congratulate the contact on an award/new business
• Provide an update on a referral the contact made

However, if you DO want to have some back-and-forth with the contact, you need to ask something of them, such as:

• Ask a new question about the contact’s company or job
• Ask for feedback/opinion on a class project, your résumé, or your portfolio/web site
• Ask for advice on an opportunity you’re applying for or on following up on an opportunity
• Set up a phone call
• Ask their opinion of another company on your target list
• Set up a phone call, Zoom, or in-person meeting
• Ask if there is someone they recommend you speak with at a company of interest

We recently heard from an Newhouse PR alum who was initially feeling the same way you might be feeling right now – frustrated and a little down on the concept of networking – but she stuck to her guns and found success. I’ll let her tell you about it:

“To be honest I didn’t think networking actually worked since I felt like I was connecting with a lot of people in the industry and I felt like I was hitting dead ends everywhere! I made a few networking calls, and spoke with a former alum who actually was in the TV industry (so, totally not my field) BUT I told him I was interested in entertainment PR in LA and he referred me to his good friend who was doing exactly that.

“I spoke with her and then reconnected with her a couple of times when I moved to LA. After the third time reaching out to her, she randomly emailed me and asked me if I was still looking for a job. Within two days, I had sent my resume, interviewed and offered a position.

In the past three weeks, I’ve actually been contacted more than three times by people I connected with in the past asking if I was still interested in a job with their company! So I guess I’m a true believer now… don’t give up. It really does just take time.

Be sure to stay connected with your contacts, tell the people you are networking with exactly what you are looking for and finally, ask if there is anyone they would recommend you speak with (as I would’ve NEVER even have met my manager if I hadn’t asked the alum if he knew anyone I could speak to).”

This alum’s story is not uncommon. Networking is how people find jobs, internships, connections, career paths – you name it! – in the communications industry. It just takes time, effort, and a good amount of patience. Luckily, those are three things that you DO have control over in your search.