Infinite
Upside
How to Land a Job Through
Online Networking
MICHAEL DILLON
Infinite Upside
How to Land a Job Through
Online Networking
A Step-by-Step Strategy Guide
By Michael Dillon
1
Chapter List
1: The Infinite Upside of Online Networking
2: How to Find a Job You Love
3: Upskilling – Learning the Right Skills
4: How to Show Your Value (The Art of Storytelling)
5: Enhancing Your Resume, Portfolio & LinkedIn Profile
6: Rejection is Inevitable – How to Build a Resilient Mindset
7: Getting Started Online Networking
8: How Your Friends Can Help You
9: Your Simple Networking Strategy
10: Reaching Out to Recruiters
11: Reaching Out to Hiring Managers
12: Posting Content on LinkedIn
13: Target Your Dream Companies
14: Securing Referrals for Job Interviews
15: Summary
2
1
The Infinite Upside of Online Networking
The jobs market is broken. Completely broken.
Here are 5 reasons why:
1) Job applications are demanding.
You are expected to apply for hundreds of jobs each week.
But who has time for that?
2) Competition is fierce.
You are up against hundreds of eager applicants every
time. It’s overwhelming.
3) The application process is a slog.
Writing the same information about yourself over and
over is draining.
4) Job postings are misleading.
3
Hiring managers write job descriptions like I wrote my
childhood letters to Santa Claus.
They ask for everything under the sun, whether it’s
required or not. It’s exhausting.
5) Salary details come too late.
It's frustrating when you spend 15-20 minutes applying for
a role, only to find out it's a pay cut. You don’t get that
time back.
In summary, job hunting can be confusing, stressful, and
downright repetitive. It feels like you're running a marathon,
but you're not even sure you're heading in the right direction.
But here's the good news: I found a different way.
I created a strategy to help you break free from endless job
applications. Not only does it save you time and stress, but it
makes jobhunting more fun too.
This approach uses online networking to help you land a job.
Over the past three years, this has transformed my career and
the careers of many of my friends and coaching clients.
I have written this book to help you take control of your career,
feel more confident and land your dream job.
4
What is Online Networking?
Online networking is about building strong, mutually beneficial
relationships with the right people.
There are many platforms for online networking. I personally
prefer LinkedIn, Twitter and video calls on Zoom.
Once you get into networking, it’s tough to watch others apply
for jobs the traditional way. It's like they are waiting in line at
the front door while you casually stroll in through the back.
You Don’t Need to Become an Influencer
Don't worry; you don't need a massive audience. It's not about
the number of people you know; it's about the quality of your
relationships.
I can help you meet the right people in the right way. Endless
opportunities will naturally follow.
That doesn't sound too bad, right?
The Power of Online Networking
Here are some of the ways networking can help you land a job:
1) Gain Insights from Fellow Job Seekers:
5
Networking with other professionals means sharing tips
and learning from each other’s mistakes. Navigate the
maze together. You’re not alone.
2) Discover the Hidden Job Market:
Forget scrolling through job boards, waiting for jobs to
appear. Instead, find job opportunities that aren’t even
advertised yet.
3) Uncover the Real Company Culture:
No more guessing what jobs are like based on job
descriptions. Chat with staff about their workplaces to gain
real insights.
This extra info helped me find the best roles, avoid the
worst, and shine in interviews.
4) Learn Industry Insights:
Honestly, who enjoys scrolling through dry company
websites?
Instead, learn about the latest products, services and
industry trends from your friends.
5) Become a Job Magnet:
When I first applied for jobs, I sent thousands of
applications. It was exhausting.
6
By online networking, you turn yourself into a magnet and
have recruiters coming to you.
Networking to Land Your Dream Job
I'm here to guide you through the strategic side of networking
(who to chat with and what to say) and the mental side
(managing those butterflies in your stomach).
I know you're super busy, so I kept this book to the point. It
offers practical, step-by-step advice you can use right away.
However, there is always more to learn, so I will continue
creating free strategies for you via my weekly newsletter,
Infinite Upside. Every Friday, I send an actionable strategy that
you can use to apply this strategy.
If you would like any more help, free to reach out to me
anytime.
My goals for this book are to boost your confidence, build your
network, help you learn the right skills, help you land more job
interviews, and ultimately, land your dream job.
Throughout the book, you'll hear success stories:
- How Murad landed an AI job in Silicon Valley.
- How a LinkedIn post led Megan to five job offers in a
single day.
7
- And how Annie’s TikTok content helped land her a job at a
start-up.
Once you start online networking, you will never go back. I urge
you to give it a go. The best way I can describe online
networking is that the downside is minimal, but the upside is
infinite.
Welcome to Infinite Upside.
8
2
How to Find a Job You Love
Be careful what you get good at because you’re going to spend a
lot of time doing it.
Let’s start by identifying the best role for you. This requires
some soul-searching. By the end of this chapter, you'll have a
clear idea of which job you want and why.
When I first did this exercise, my background in poker, trading
and data led me to the role of a Strategy Analyst. It combined
my passion for problem solving with data analysis in a business
environment. Within a few weeks, I got in that exact role. I
hope this exercise can be the start of the same journey for you.
Below, I have split the strategy into three practical
brainstorming exercises:
1) Find Your Passion
Think about your current and previous jobs:
9
- Consider the best parts of your job.
- Consider the worst.
- Why do you feel this way?
2) Review Your Work Achievements
Before searching for jobs, review your achievements and
transferrable skills.
- Record your achievements.
- Record your skills.
- Quantify your results.
3) Understand Job Descriptions
Finally, assess how your skills and achievements align with the
jobs on the market.
- Find available job openings.
- Which skills and experiences are required?
- Match your achievements, experiences & skillset to the
role.
Let the Brainstorms Begin
Everything innovative starts with brainstorming and putting
sticky notes on a wall. Grab some sticky notes and a marker.
Here are some brainstorm tips:
- Stand up.
10
- Set a timer for 5 minutes.
- Keep it concise.
- Write in big clear text.
- Get all your thoughts down.
- Don’t overthink it.
- You may need a coffee!
Brainstorm Stage 1: Find Your Passion
Sticky notes at the ready. Try these questions:
- What work do you love?
- If you had to read 100 books on one topic, which would it
be?
- What was the best day at work you ever had?
- What did you work on that day?
- Why was that day so special?
- What are your favourite things outside of work?
- What do you like about your hobbies?
- How do you start your day?
- Which tasks do you look forward to?
- What sort of work do you hate?
- What were your worst moments?
- What keeps you up at night?
- Which projects caused you stress?
- What work takes the longest?
11
- What work never gets finished?
- What are your work complaints? (Ask your partner — I bet
they remember).
These are all tough questions to answer, so let’s dive deeper.
Which do you prefer:
1) Working alone or teamwork?
2) Talking or listening?
3) Writing or numbers?
4) Group projects or your own analysis?
5) Chaos or structure?
6) Leadership or working within teams?
7) Disruptive environment or a routine?
You are flying now. Here are some more:
- How important is job security to you?
- What level of salary is your minimum?
- Can you work overtime?
- Where is the best location?
- How do you handle the pressure?
- What about deadlines?
- What about multitasking?
Get everything down.
Great job. Take a minute to recover.
12
Next, group similar notes together and take a photo of the
sticky notes on the wall. Now, you can see what you want.
Maybe it is time for a cup of coffee before we continue below!
Brainstorm Stage 2: Review Your Work Achievements
Create a list of competencies on sticky notes. Ideally, in a
different colour than used in Brainstorm 1.
For example:
- Technical Skills
- Analysis
- Stakeholder Management
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Innovation
- Managing Difficult Situations
I wanted a Data Analyst job, so I searched “competencies for a
data analyst”. If you have a different role in mind, list the
competencies for that.
List All Your Relevant Work Experiences
This may seem daunting at first. I found examples of my
achievements in:
13
- Emails (Sent Items).
- Previous CVs.
- Annual goals.
- Meetings in your Outlook calendar.
- End of Year Reviews.
- Internal Job Descriptions.
For every work experience, write your experience on a sticky
note.
For example, “Built monthly marketing report using SQL” or
“Created KPI’s using Excel.”
Keep it simple.
Stick the answers below the relevant competency. If you
managed a successful project, that would go under
“Leadership”.
Add Results
Once you have listed all your achievements, go back, and add
results. Results can go on a separate sticky note in a different
colour.
How did you add value?
- Did you add commercial value? (£2,000 in savings)
- How much time did this save? (4 people, 30 mins per day)
14
- Completed the task ahead of schedule? (Completed 2
weeks early)
- Which technical skills did you use? (Programming)
- Which tools? (SQL, Python & PowerBI)
During my 1:1 career coaching, I have helped many people
through this exact exercise.
The most common mistake is that most people don’t list enough
achievements - especially from the jobs at the start of their
careers.
This meant they got no credit for some of their most relevant
work. So, even if an achievement happened a long time ago, be
sure to list it anyway. Having relevant experience from a long
time ago shows you have many years of experience.
Time for another well-deserved break.
By the way, if you lack work experience, I recommend building
a portfolio of work instead. But I will explain more about that in
Chapter 5.
Brainstorm Stage 3: Job Descriptions
I know this feels like a lot of work. But if you can grind through
this exercise, it will hopefully give you a lot of clarity. And don’t
worry, the rest of the book is much easier to casually read.
15
So far, we have created sticky notes with the work you love and
hate. And you’ve listed all your previous work experience.
Time to start searching for jobs.
Review the output of the “Finding Your Passion” brainstorm.
Next, search for jobs that match the work you love. Some jobs
will be more suitable than others. Head to a job site like
LinkedIn and pick out a few roles.
You know where this is going. Write the job title on a sticky
note. Ideally in a different colour. Underneath the Job Title
(i.e., Data Analyst), list the key points on sticky notes too:
•
Job Purpose.
•
Required Skills.
•
Responsibilities.
•
Experience Required.
Next, summarise each job description. Put this information on
sticky notes, one section at a time. Go through each job
separately and list out the experience required.
Once you finish writing what’s required for each job, you will
have completed the three brainstorms. Great job!
Take some more photos. Time for another rest.
16
How to Find a Job You Love
The next stage is to review Brainstorm 3 (Job Descriptions).
Have a look at what’s required for each job.
Compare this output with your notes from Brainstorm 1 (Find
Your Passion). Hopefully, there is a lot of cross-over. That
would imply that your list of passions matches the list of
available jobs.
Next, we need to understand if you are qualified for the job.
That is why we did Brainstorm 2 (Your Work Achievements). If
the two lists are similar, you have relevant skills and experience
for the role.
Here’s an example of how to do this.
If Brainstorm 3 (Job Descriptions) says “This job requires
experience querying SQL databases”.
Mix and match your notes:
•
Brainstorm 1 (Find Your Passion): “I love to query SQL
databases.”
•
Brainstorm 2 (Your Work Achievements): “I queried SQL
databases for a marketing project”.
•
Brainstorm 2 (Results): “This project generated £25,000
in revenue & finished 3 weeks ahead of schedule”.
17
Do this process for a few different jobs. Mix and match until
you find a job you love that you have the relevant experience
for.
Now that we have identified what you are looking for, let’s learn
the skills required to get you there.
18
3
Upskilling – Learning the Right Skills
When I started learning new skills, I was so excited. Looking
back, I was too excited.
I approached online courses like I was at an all-you-can-eat
buffet. I put everything on my plate and kept stuffing my face. It
didn’t end well!
I wish I had learned how to prioritise sooner. If I was starting
again, I would ask myself:
- What skills are necessary for my ideal job?
- Which tools does that job use?
Then, I would find the gaps in my skills and focus on learning
the essentials.
Picking an Online Course
19
The trick to upskilling is consistency. Even learning for thirty
minutes each morning made a big difference for me.
Before investing in paid courses, I suggest you start with free
content (for example, YouTube tutorials). I looked for highlevel overviews to quickly learn the basics.
If you are looking for a data-related role, I can recommend
some sites below. If not, feel free to skip this section.
After learning the basics for free, I did paid courses on
Coursera. They were set up like university lectures where you
have weekly assignments. However, I found them a bit pricey
and a little boring.
Eventually, I switched to DataCamp, where learning was more
interactive. They had short videos followed by coding exercises
and projects. I enjoyed this. I found LinkedIn Learning and
Udemy’s video lessons helpful too.
If you are looking to learn SQL, my friend Nick has created a
site called Data Lemur. Data Lemur is a fantastic place to
practice the SQL interview questions asked by the biggest tech
companies.
Before building the site, Nick worked for Microsoft, Facebook
and Google. He has also written the book “Ace the Data Science
Interview”.
20
Andrew Jones runs data boot camps on his site, Data Science
Infinity. Andrew guides you through data projects to help you
build a portfolio.
He is always adding more SQL, Python and Tableau projects to
help you learn data science. He knows his stuff. Before
launching his site, he worked for Sony, designing machine
learning features for PlayStation.
By the way, these are not affiliate links. I’m only recommending
these sites because I know they are great resources.
Lessons from my Journey
I spent a long time searching for the perfect course. But it
doesn't exist. Just get started in whatever way you can.
I took many courses, thinking the goal was to collect
certificates. But I was wrong. Employers want evidence that you
can use these skills in their business.
Now, I think of online courses as practice sessions for a bigger
goal - creating a relevant portfolio.
Once you have a portfolio, the next step is to look for freelance
jobs, internships, volunteer roles, or entry-level positions. It’s
all about getting that crucial experience onto your resume.
21
4
How to Show Your Value
(The Art of Storytelling)
How can you...
- Connect with new people,
- Improve your resume,
- Fix your LinkedIn profile page,
- Land your dream job,
- And get promoted?
Surprisingly, the answer to these questions is the same.
Master the art of STORYTELLING.
Why?
Imagine you’re hiring and have 400 applicants. Who would you
choose to interview?
22
Like most people, I imagine you would skim resumes for signs
of relevant experience. Our brains don’t like being confused, so
when faced with so many options, we form snap judgements
about everything. This is why your skills and experiences must
FLY off the page.
It’s no different when you meet someone in person. So, if you
are in a job interview, writing a resume or chatting with
someone new - start with a powerful story that explains why
you are perfect for the job.
Common Mistakes Everyone Makes
Many people stumble here. Instead of telling a story, they try to
be clever. They pack their resume with corporate buzzwords.
Their relevant experience gets lost.
If you are not getting calls back after you apply for jobs, this is
the most likely reason why. They can’t quickly spot your value,
so they move on to the next candidate.
Let’s change this. It’s time to tell your career story.
What Exactly Is a Career Story?
Your story isn't a ramble about your life. It's a narrative
carefully designed to give the ultimate first impression.
Everything you say is said for a reason.
23
Take graduates. Many describe themselves by the name of their
degree. That’s it. So, it sounds like they have no experience.
However, I have coached many graduates to tell their stories. I
suggested they describe:
- How studying for exams taught them to stay organized.
- How group projects showed they can work well in a team.
- How they handled pressure during busy times.
- How they learned to meet deadlines during exams.
- How their part-time job taught them how to understand
customers.
- How they worked in a business environment during
internships.
- By creating a portfolio, they proved their technical skills.
This also demonstrates their proactive and enthusiastic
attitude.
This narrative is more persuasive than stating that you have a
degree. It explains more reasons to hire you in a way that a
business considers valuable.
How to Craft Your Story:
Let's forget about resumes, LinkedIn profiles, or job interviews.
Let's focus on your value to a business. Before you can convince
others of your worth, convince yourself.
24
Return to your brainstorming notes. They hold your
achievements, skills, and experiences.
Your story should answer:
•
Who are YOU?
•
How will YOUR past skills and experiences help this
business?
•
How can YOU make the hiring managers life easier?
•
How can YOU increase the business profits?
•
How can YOU prove all this with past results?
These answers provide reasons to hire YOU.
Sadly, most people sell themselves short. Yes, talking about
your achievements can be awkward, especially at the beginning.
But it’s hard to get anywhere if you don’t give the best version of
yourself.
Try not to consider it bragging. It is you giving the best possible
version of yourself. And in this competitive world, there is
nothing wrong with that.
Getting your story right makes all the difference.
Let’s Write Your Story
Imagine you are in a job interview and the first question is, ‘Tell
me about yourself’.
25
That's your cue.
Start with your name, where you’re from and your education.
It’s simple, relatable, and personal. For example:
‘Hi, I’m Jane. I was born and raised in London. In 2010, I
graduated with a Finance degree from the University of
Edinburgh.’
Next, discuss your past workplaces, focusing on the skills most
relevant to the job:
'I've loved data for over a decade. This passion led me to
an internship at a startup, CloudTech, in Edinburgh. For
six months, I worked with SQL and PowerBI, analyzing
data, and creating dashboards.'
Reframe your story to shine a light on your most relevant
experience:
“After CloudTech, I joined BlueBridge, a FinTech firm. I
applied my machine learning skills, building models that
reduced operational costs by 20%.'
Sprinkle in the relevant skills and experiences you gathered
along the way. Conclude with enthusiasm for the company and
remind them why you're a perfect fit:
'The Senior Data Scientist role at your company is an
ideal next step for me. I'm excited by your company's
data-centric focus.
26
With my 5-year experience building machine learning
models and my experience in SQL and Python, I know I
can make an immediate impact.'
Are you struggling to tell your story in a compelling way that
shows your value?
I provide 1:1 coaching for people every single day. If you’d like
any more help with any of the strategies you read in this book,
contact me here.
Consistency is Key
The beauty of a great story is that it can be repeated.
Your resume, LinkedIn profile and portfolio are different
versions of the same story. While networking, you repeat it. If
it's simple and memorable, others will tell it for you. That's the
power of networking – its compounding nature.
Once you have nailed your story, break it down into digestible
bites. That’s the step we’re going to do next.
27
5
Enhancing Your Resume, Portfolio &
LinkedIn Profile
You know how much I value storytelling. Consistency in telling
your story is equally important.
When you pitch to a hiring manager, you make a strong
impression. However, when they later read your resume or
LinkedIn page, it should reinforce the same narrative.
Resumes:
A great resume comes down to two things:
1) A clean layout that is easy to skim
Since most people skim through resumes, a clear layout is
crucial. It should be easy to read and understand.
Avoid cramming too much information into your resume.
Irrelevant details can hide your most relevant work.
28
2) A compelling story, proving your value.
If you don’t tell your story, someone else will. And you might
not like their story about you as much as your own.
So, I recommend starting with a professional summary.
This is your story. It covers your work experience from the past,
present and what you want in the future. It prepares the reader
for how to think about you before they read the details in the
Work Experience section.
Everyone’s story will be different. If you have a lot of
experience, highlight that. When switching careers, focus on
your most relevant experience and transferable skills.
Don’t chuck in your whole life story. Less is more.
Ideally, it can be read fast. People skim resumes, so try reading
your opening section out loud. If you’re struggling, use short
sentences and simpler words. Aim for 5-6 sentences.
Again, if you need any 1:1 help, feel free to contact me here. I
can send you more personalised guidance.
Experience, Skills & Education:
Crafting this part of your resume can be a challenge, so let me
share six tips that helped me:
1) I prefer to put my resume in this order:
29
Professional Summary, Experience, Skills, Portfolio, Education
and Certificates.
When I spoke to recruiters, they usually asked for things in this
order. So, I made my resume match that.
2) Highlight your experience:
Be clear about where you worked and what you achieved,
quantifying your results where possible. Focus on the parts
most relevant to the job you want.
3) Use action verbs:
Begin sentences with words like "built" or "developed" to show
what you accomplished.
4) Show your skills:
List technical, transferable, and soft skills. Use relevant
industry keywords but be careful not to become a robot. They
want to hire you, not R2-D2.
5) Show how you used your skills:
Don't forget to show how you used skills (like SQL or Excel) in
the Experience section. Many people lump their skills on the
side of the page and forget to explain when they used them.
6) Reframe your past experiences:
30
Even if your last job wasn't in the field you're targeting now,
focus on the transferable skills and experiences you gained
there.
I’ve coached many clients to switch careers. I’ve seen many
people transition from being dentists, teachers, musicians or
athletes to becoming data analysts.
I tell them all the same thing. You have more transferable skills
than you may think.
Take me, for example. In my previous life, I was a professional
poker player. When I applied for a job in trading, I knew some
skills would overlap.
But when I spoke to the hiring manager, he saw more
similarities than me. He was impressed that I could sit down for
long periods of time. I hadn’t realised that my laziness was a
skill, but when he said it was, I didn’t argue!
Cover Letters
When creating a cover letter, I suggest using ChatGPT to tailor
it to each job application. I've created a step-by-step guide for
this process. It’s called, “How to Transform Your Career with
ChatGPT”. You can find it here.
31
This same guide will help your resume and job interview
preparation too. I know the jobs market is tough right now, so
feel free to pay whatever price you like for those resources.
Portfolios: Bringing Your Story to Life:
Portfolios are the proof that supports your story. If you’re going
for a data analyst role, your portfolio should include data
projects.
I suggest making these projects relevant to the job and industry
you’re after. If the role needs SQL, Excel, and PowerBI, show
these skills in your portfolio.
Portfolios give a clear, practical way to show your skills to
potential employers. It's a bit like showing evidence in court - it
makes your story believable.
Even if the hiring manager doesn't check all your projects, be
ready to discuss them in interviews.
How to Build a Relevant Portfolio
Many people end up with a portfolio filled with random
projects. But there’s a better way:
- Pick a job you're interested in.
32
- Read the job description and talk to people who do that
job.
- Identify the skills and experiences you’re missing.
- Design projects to fill these gaps and add them to your
portfolio.
- Share your work and insights online.
For instance, if you lack experience in marketing and need to
improve your Python skills, use Python to create a marketing
project.
This book focuses more on networking, but I’ve shared tips on
building a portfolio in the newsletter version of Infinite Upside.
Also, check out my tips for adding business value to your
portfolio. These articles are all free and are filled with
information I wish I knew sooner.
LinkedIn: Building Your Professional Brand:
The next step is to build an online profile. I suggest using
LinkedIn. It’s a platform made for professional networking.
Everything on your LinkedIn profile page should tell your story.
Within seconds of reading your profile, viewers should know
who you are trying to reach and how you can help them.
Think of it as a movie trailer for your career.
33
Just like resumes, avoid packing them full of jargon and
corporate buzzwords. Keep your story simple and let your
personality shine.
Build a Professional LinkedIn Profile
Putting together a strong LinkedIn profile can make a huge
difference. Here's a basic guide:
1) Professional Photo
Start with a professional, well-lit photo of you smiling. It's the
first thing people see and it sets the tone.
2) Make a Catchy LinkedIn Headline:
The headline under your photo is your chance to reel in your
audience.
Make a bold statement about your value. Mine is, 'I can help
you land a data job through online networking'. A well-crafted
headline can attract dozens of new connections each day.
3) Your ‘About’ Section:
You've got the idea by now. Your 'About' section needs to share
your career story.
Keep it engaging, brief, and in line with your career aspirations.
Share your professional background, future goals, and
significant achievements.
34
4) Highlight Your Experience and Skills:
This section can match your resume. You could even copy the
essential points from your resume to maintain consistency.
5) Add a Link to Your Portfolio:
Forgetting to share your projects on LinkedIn is like building an
art gallery and locking the front door. There’s a line of people
outside waiting. Let them in!
So, we've just updated your resume, discussed a portfolio, and
improved your online profile. These steps can help you stand
out and tell your story effectively.
However, putting yourself out there can be daunting. So, let’s
chat about getting in the right mindset.
35
6
How to Build a Resilient Mindset
Rejection is inevitable.
I know it sucks to hear that.
When you message someone new, not everyone is going to
reply. But that’s ok. They could be busy, on holiday, or having a
rough week. Not everything is within our control. It's often
more about timing than anything else.
How I Learned to Be Resilient
As I mentioned earlier, I used to be a professional poker player.
This meant winning and losing significant amounts of money
every single day. The swings were insane. But even the best
players in the world have more losses than wins. It’s the nature
of the game. However, you don't need to win every day, or even
every week to have a very profitable year.
36
Job hunting is similar. You won't win every time, but it's about
playing the long game. Literally no one on the planet gets a call
back every time they apply for a job.
With daily strategy improvements and consistency, success is
inevitable.
But you can't win if you don't play. So, let's work on building a
resilient mindset.
Facing the Fear of Networking
Starting with online networking can be scary. It's natural to feel
a bit nervous at the start. I've been there too, but it got easier.
Let's break down the different fears and learn how to overcome
them.
1) Fear of Rejection:
Rejection hurts. Especially when you're looking for a job.
Instead of worrying about the seven out of ten messages that
didn't get responses, I focused on making the most of the three
that did.
I tried to focus on my wins, no matter how small. I even kept a
journal, 'Tiny Little Wins’. When I did anything that pushed me
forward, I wrote it down.
Later, if I was having a bad day, I read through my wins.
37
2) Feeling Inauthentic:
For most people, self-promotion feels icky.
I experienced this when I promoted my first book, How to Find
a Job in Data Analytics.
Before I wrote the book, I’d been giving away my content for
free. The moment I charged money, my imposter syndrome
kicked in.
Eventually, I changed my perspective. I reminded myself that I
wrote the book to help people. As people sent me feedback
saying that the book helped them land a job, my guilt started to
disappear.
I approached networking the same way. I stopped thinking
about it as asking for favours. Instead, I tried to focus on the
value I could bring to others.
3) Feeling like a Burden:
We all have times when we feel like we're wasting people’s time.
If someone isn't interested, that's okay. Try not to take it
personally. As long you were polite, you have nothing to worry
about. Keep going and you will eventually find your people.
4) Not Knowing What to Say:
When I first messaged people on LinkedIn, I was clueless. I sent
long, generic, pointless messages. Whoops.
38
I later learned that the secret sauce is to do your research in
advance. Find something that interests you about the other
person before you engage.
With practice, this gets easier.
When you put yourself out there, it's normal to feel anxious. But
every step you take, builds your experience.
Don’t try to be perfect at this. Just try to get better every day.
Over time, your confidence will grow.
39
7
Getting Started Online Networking
In this chapter, we'll dive into networking. You'll learn how to:
•
Create a list of people to contact.
•
Introduce yourself effectively.
•
Write messages that get replies.
By the end of this chapter, you'll have found your people. They
will make your life so much easier.
Ease Into Online Networking
Let's start with what I call ‘casual networking’. It's about testing
the waters for a few minutes each day and figuring out what
works.
40
Each day, you show up on a platform like LinkedIn, chat with
people and ask questions.
The trick is to ask them differently each time. Keep track of
what gets the best responses. It’s basically A/B testing to see
what works best.
Even a few minutes per day can help to build trust. It's a lowpressure, high-reward way to up your networking game.
Finding Your Tribe
First, find the accounts of people who are important to you.
Look for those who are regularly sharing content in your field.
For example, to become a data engineer, find people in that
role. When they post, leave a friendly comment on what they
shared. Try to spark a conversation or ask a thoughtful
question.
Commenting on LinkedIn posts is probably the friendliest way
to barge into people’s lives in 2023.
Find Active People on LinkedIn.
If someone hasn’t updated their LinkedIn profile since the
1960s, they probably won’t reply. Ease your way into
networking by finding other people who regularly leave
41
comments too. Say hi to them. The more you chat to people, the
easier it gets.
Introducing Yourself Effectively
Most people don’t put much thought into their opening
messages. They send the same thing to everyone and wonder
why they don't get replies.
Before you click ‘connect’, take a second to study their profile.
Pick out one or two things about them and add these to your
message.
Use their name when you message them. ‘Hi, Michael’ feels
much more personal than ‘Hi’.
Lean into anything you have in common. If you and their friend
Jimmy are mutual friends, mention him. Maybe they think
Jimmy is a total legend, and they’ll assume you are too. Who
knows.
Writing an Effective First Message
Up to this point, we've covered how to:
42
•
Find relevant people.
•
Find active people.
•
Personalise your message.
•
Be friendly and respectful.
•
Give a shout-out to Jimmy.
•
Keep the conversation interesting.
Now, here is the secret sauce.
This might sound harsh, but most people struggle with online
networking because they focus on themselves. They want a job,
so when they talk to others, that’s what they say.
If that worked, this would be a much shorter book.
Instead, think about the other persons perspective.
I’ve sent and received thousands of messages on LinkedIn.
What People Think When They Get a Private Message:
Here is what I believe to be a person’s thought process when a
stranger messages someone for the first time:
•
‘Who is this person?
That is why I suggested leaving public comments first. If they
remember seeing you around, they think, ‘Ah, I recognise
them’. Good start.
•
‘Why are they contacting me?’
Every day, people receive messages inviting them to events,
trying to sell them something, or asking for jobs. So, they're
always on alert. 'What do they want?'
43
Handling this is a little tricky. Asking for something looks
spammy, but not explaining what you want can be suspicious.
I change my approach based on the person. If they are hiring, I
get straight to the point. If not, I try to build a longer-term
relationship.
•
‘Did they send this message to everyone?’
That's why personalising your message matters. Unique
messages get better response rates. Spend time writing a note
that couldn't be sent to 156 people.
•
‘Can I trust this person?’
Trust is key. The best way to build trust is by having a clear
LinkedIn profile, an engaged network and a strong reputation.
If others trust you, they will too.
•
‘I’m so busy. Do I have the time for this?’
It can help to acknowledge that they are busy. Also, reassure
them you won't take up much of their time.
Don't just ask for 30 minutes to 'pick their brain'. Let them
know when the conversation will be over - it feels less
overwhelming for them.
I find it's good to set a clear timeline for the initial conversation.
'Can I ask you 2 short questions about X?'
44
With these tactics, you'll open the doors to meaningful
conversations, build trust and discover new job opportunities.
And this is only the beginning.
45
8
How Your Friends Can Help You
Have you heard of MrBeast?
He's a YouTube star. His videos have been watched 44 billion
times. At 25 years old, he's about to become a billionaire.
I mention him because MrBeast's said that his network is the
secret to his success.
For hours every day, he and his team would scrutinise YouTube
videos. Day after day (for years), they studied everything from
video thumbnails to scripts.
After releasing a video, they pinpointed the exact second when
viewers stopped watching. Next, they brainstormed how that
part could be better next time. Before long, MrBeasts videos
were getting more viewers than the Superbowl.
In this chapter, I’ll share how you can use his tactics for your
job hunt. They trick is to build yourself a team.
46
How to Build Your Team
Try forming a small group of 3-4 people with similar career
goals. Support each other and improve your strategy together.
Talk about all things job-search related. Improve your resumes
and portfolios together. Share resources to learn from and
prepare for interviews as a team. Running a mock interview can
be incredibly helpful. Your friends, who have recently been
through similar job interviews, can give you valuable feedback.
They can help spot your strengths and areas you need to work
on before the big day.
Share any feedback you've received from recruiters and hiring
managers. Together, figure out what's working and what isn't.
If you're in the same geographical area, you can also tackle local
challenges together. For instance, if you're based in Nigeria, use
LinkedIn to find others nearby with the same ambitions.
A Simple Way to Meet New People
See who your friends are connected with on LinkedIn. If they're
connected with someone you'd like to meet, ask them to
introduce you. I've met some incredible people this way.
The Power of Coffee Chats
47
Some of the best job opportunities might not be listed
anywhere. They could come from virtual chats over coffee.
These meetings can provide insights about a company, an
industry, or a role from someone who already works there. Plus,
they're a great chance to learn from the career mistakes of
others.
I regularly meet with a friend, who works at a startup. He
shares stories about the daily problems they tackle, the
dynamics within the team, and the exciting projects they're
working on. This gives me a firsthand view of life at a startup. If
I was jobhunting again, I would be jumping on calls like this all
the time.
There have been many times when I realised a particular job
wasn't for me. I was speaking to someone and thought, 'That
job doesn't sound interesting at all'. I stopped applying for that
job right away!
The people around you are your biggest asset. Try to turn your
solo mission into a group effort. It’s the shortcut to success and
it’s much more fun!
48
9
Your Simple Networking Strategy
These three groups of people can help your career:
1) Fellow Industry Professionals:
They already work at your dream company. Instead of asking
them about job openings, try to get to know them first. Play a
longer-term game where you can learn from them. I find life so
much easier if someone tells me about their experience first.
2) Recruiters:
They are the ones matching job seekers with job openings. I
found it helpful to be direct with recruiters: send them your
resume, tell them what you're looking for, and see if there's a
fit. I'll share my method for connecting with them in the
following chapter.
3) Hiring Managers:
49
They hold the key to your dream job. Job ads don't always
reveal who the hiring manager is. So, you may have to do some
detective work to find them.
Grow Your Own Network
Whether I'm job hunting or not, I try to engage with hiring
managers, recruiters, and other people across various
industries.
This strategy covers all bases. Recruiters possess insider
knowledge about jobs, hiring managers can assist in getting
hired, and fellow analysts offer advice and guidance.
One of my first networking experiences was with Nick Singh. I
contacted him after he released a hugely popular data book,
'Acing the Data Science Interview.' I was planning to write my
own book and I couldn’t think of anyone better to go to for
advice.
From his San Francisco apartment, we had a virtual call. He
shared his writing journey, his mistakes and his experience
creating LinkedIn content. I saved myself years of mistakes by
talking to him for around 2 hours.
What really hit home was his advice about setting strict
deadlines. Writing a book will take as long as you allow it. So, I
set a ridiculous 2-month deadline, publicly announced it and
worked hard to meet it. Thankfully I did!
50
That was 18 months ago. Without his advice, I might still be
writing that first book.
How to Learn from Industry Professionals
During my job search, I spoke to thousands of people who were
a few steps ahead of me in their career.
I would ask:
- How did you land your job?
- Was it through networking or a job ad?
- What were your day-to-day tasks?
- Which tools do you use?
- How do you use data to add value to the business?
This constant networking has taught me everything I know.
These conversations inspired me to write my first book, 'How to
Find a Job in Data Analytics'. In the book, I interviewed 64
data experts. Data analysts, data scientists and data engineers
from different industries all around the world.
I asked them to answer all these questions. They shared the
stories of their careers, and everything they wish they knew
sooner. I packaged all their career advice into bite-sized
interviews that take 3-4 minutes to read. The process totally
transformed my data career.
51
10
Reaching Out to Recruiters
In the last chapter, I mentioned 'coffee chats' with industry
professionals. My friend Annie hosts a podcast where data
analysts share their stories about their career.
Earlier this year, I shared my strategies for talking to recruiters
on her show. Afterwards, my phone was full of positive
feedback. I still get messages from people saying they had
success using the strategies.
You can find my full interview with Annie on YouTube here. I
talked about being a poker player, a trader, and how I am now a
Data Analyst.
Ok. Let’s dive into the tactics. In this chapter, I’ll share how I
got the most out of phone calls with recruiters. I hope this gives
you a big advantage in your future job interviews.
52
How to Find Recruiters on LinkedIn
Start at the LinkedIn search bar. Enter 'recruiter'. Filter by
'People' to get a list of recruiters. Finally, filter by ‘Location’ and
‘Industry’. Read their profiles and connect with recruiters who
actively use the platform.
Another approach is to find jobs that interest you and message
the person who posted them directly. Sometimes jobs are
posted by Talent Acquisition Managers or HR managers. If that
is the case, I would connect with them too.
Template: How to Reach Out to Recruiters
Talking with a recruiter might feel intimidating but remember,
they do this for a living.
Introduce yourself, mention your desired role and explain why
you reached out. Stay brief but make it meaningful. You can
attach your resume too. Here's a basic template:
"Good morning [Recruiter's Name], How are you?
I'm [Your Name], a [Your Profession] with a keen interest in
[Industry].
Your profile caught my eye, and I'm impressed with your
expertise in the [Industry] area.
53
I know you’re busy, so I’ll keep this short.
I have [X, Y, Z] skills and [X] years of experience in [Industry].
I'm looking for [X] type roles.
If you would like to discuss, I’m available at [X] times.
Thanks a lot for your time,
Best,
[Your Name]"
Yes, this approach is straightforward. If they post jobs daily that
suit your skills, then it's okay to connect. It shows you are:
- Polite.
- Respectful of their time.
- Clear about what you want.
- A good communicator.
- Equipped with relevant experience for the role.
Mastering the Recruiter Call: A Simple Strategy
After you apply for a job or send a message to a recruiter, the
next step is usually a phone call.
The first time I had such a call, it was a disaster. The recruiter
was friendly but hit me with about 147 questions in 60 seconds.
I had not prepared to answer any of them.
54
In just a week, I had ten more calls and noticed they all asked
the same questions and followed a similar pattern.
As a former poker-player, I love thinking strategically. So, I
came up with a strategy for these calls. It involved being
friendly, being prepared and taking a little more control over
the direction of the conversation.
Here’s my strategy for talking to recruiters:
1) Ask about their day:
Begin the conversation on a positive note. No matter how the
recruiters start the call, ask about their day. Once they respond,
ask a follow-up question to show genuine interest.
Focusing the first minute of the call on them helped us both
relax and led to more pleasant conversations.
2) Start with a Smile:
When I first started jobhunting, I made so many mistakes. One
that stands out was when a recruiter asked how my job search
was going, and I responded with brutal honesty. That was a
disaster. It was like I’d turned our call into therapy session.
They couldn’t get away from me quick enough.
I know it’s tough but try to be positive. If you constantly
complain, people will avoid you. You can be honest but also try
to sound confident and optimistic.
55
This sounds silly but I tried to smile as I answered the phone
(even if I wasn’t on video). It made a big difference.
3) Your Story, Your Way:
You'll be asked about your background—this is your chance to
share your career story like we discussed earlier. Highlight your
achievements and relevant experiences. Be enthusiastic about
the role and explain why you’re a great fit.
4) Get Scribbling:
Recruiters often start these calls at 200 words per second. They
can share their name, the hiring manager's name, job details,
and job requirements in seconds. They might also mention
which skills they consider most important for the role.
Be ready to write everything down. When you’re preparing for
interviews later, this information is the cheat sheet to build
your answers around.
I found it helpful to make one or two notes on what you
discussed as small talk. For example, if a recruiter says, "I'm
taking my family to the beach later," you can ask how that went
in a future conversation. Obviously, don’t write anything too
personal. A couple of weeks later, they will be impressed that
you remembered. These little things make a big difference.
5) Highlight Your Skills:
56
You'll be asked about your skills, particularly those relevant to
the job. Be prepared to discuss your experiences and
demonstrate your knowledge.
6) Ask Your Questions:
Asking the right questions to recruiters can help you gather lots
of helpful information. Whether I was interested in the job or
not, there were certain questions I always made sure to ask:
- Which experience on my resume led you to call me?
- Was there an experience that you felt was missing on my
resume?
- Were there any details on my resume that were unclear?
Since the recruiter had read my resume seconds before the call,
these questions were easy to answer.
After getting their feedback, I'd spend a few minutes updating
my resume. If an experience was the reason they called, I'd
place it higher on the page for next time. If something was
confusing, I would remove it. This feedback loop helped my
resume get better every week.
Lastly, I'd discuss the salary.
- Is there a range for the salary in this role?
57
This question is key when it comes to negotiating your salary
later. Most people make the mistake of asking for a specific
salary amount. But, in most cases, there's a range depending on
your experience level. I've found it best to gently ask about the
salary range during the initial call.
Here are 2 more questions I ask:
- Are you seeing many roles like this on the market this
month?
- Based on your experience with other companies, what's
the average market salary for this role right now?
These questions make salary negotiations easier later. If you
know what similar jobs pay, it becomes easier to justify your
desired salary.
Recruiters are under no obligation to answer any of these
questions. However, if you build a strong relationship early on
the call, most people are happy to help. This is one of the many
reasons that networking makes all the difference.
58
11
Reaching Out to Hiring Managers
In this chapter, I’ll share how I approached hiring managers on
LinkedIn, what I said and how I said it. Let's break this down
step by step with an example.
Imagine you're searching LinkedIn for a Data Analyst role in
Las Vegas. Take the company Maximus as an example. The first
steps are to read the job description and learn about the
company. Make a note of 3-4 key points.
By clicking on 'Company', you can see who works there. This
job is in Vegas, so apply a filter to only show staff in that
location. Next, try to find the hiring manager. If you can’t find
them, connect with a few people from the same department.
We've already discussed how beneficial this can be. People who
already work in the industry can give you a feel for the company
culture, suggest who you should speak to, and point out what
59
the company expects from you. They might even offer to
introduce you to the hiring manager.
How to reach out to a hiring manager on LinkedIn
There are several strategies for doing this. Here's one that is
direct yet respectful. The only goal of this message is to get the
hiring manager to read your resume:
Hi [Hiring Manager's Name],
I came across your profile on [mutual friend] account. I noticed
on your profile that [something about their background].
I’m living in [local area]. I work in [industry] myself. My
background is in {skills/experience].
I love how [your company] uses data to [something about their
business strategy]. I’ve done very similar work at [company]
where I managed to [share a relevant achievement].
Do you mind if I share my resume with you?
I understand you are busy, so thank you for your time.
Best,
{Your name]
60
Reframe the Conversation. Show YOUR value.
I know these conversations feel daunting. But try to remember
that you are not just asking them for a favour. Nobody wants to
sift through hundreds of resumes. Having a great candidate
approach them in a friendly way makes their life easier.
Everybody wants simplicity. Make hiring you the simplest thing
to do.
How Do We Show Our Value?
Use your research and conversations with industry
professionals to learn how YOU can add value. Focus on
understanding how the business:
•
Earns money.
•
Uses data.
•
Connects with their customers.
Then, tell your career story in a way that aligns with this.
Explain how your experience is relevant to the role and be
enthusiastic about the company.
Aim to secure a short call with the hiring manager to discuss
this further. This will give you an advantage in your job search.
This is a tricky topic, so I will continue sharing strategies to do
this via my newsletter, Infinite Upside.
61
12
Posting Content on LinkedIn
In this chapter, I'll share some incredible success stories about
how LinkedIn has transformed the careers of my friends and
coaching clients.
We'll go over crafting posts that catch people's attention, ways
to network, and how to create content to help you land your
dream job.
My LinkedIn Experience
My LinkedIn journey began when I was jobhunting a few years
ago. started sharing stories about my experience landing a job
in data. I was learning so much from networking that I wanted
to share my stories. The positive responses pushed me to create
more content.
62
After a few weeks of creating content, a message from a
potential employer popped up in my inbox. He had been
reading my posts and was familiar with my interest in strategy
and poker. "I really like how you think. We could do with
someone who thinks like you in our team" he said.
He recommended to HR that they invite me for an interview.
Even though I didn't accept the job, his words marked a turning
point. It wasn’t just that he liked something that I said. It was
un that moment that I realised that writing online is all about
sharing your thought process.
This was the first time I saw the true potential of online content
creation. I never looked back. I’ve been coaching others to
create similar situations for themselves ever since.
LinkedIn Strategies
LinkedIn networking is a two-way street - it's about both
attracting and interacting.
The first part is about you getting creative and putting up your
own content that grabs people's attention - this is your
'inbound' strategy. Then there's the 'outbound' bit, which is you
diving into others' posts and getting in touch directly.
Picture it like a marketing funnel. Your posts sit at the top,
getting more eyes on your profile page. This is middle of the
63
funnel where recruiters and hiring managers find you. If all
goes to plan, they’ll reach out for a call – that’s the bottom of
the funnel.
That's the basic idea. The game is to create the right content,
engage with the right people, and create the right profile so that
everything you say smoothly guides people down this funnel.
How Do You Create the ‘Right’ Content?
Suppose I wanted to work as a data analyst in a marketing firm.
In that case, I would post about data or marketing about 70% of
the time.
Sharing your work and explaining your insights is a great way
to attract the right people. It doesn’t all have to be polished
articles and amazing insights. It’s more about sharing your
journey.
Take my friend Megan as an example. She posted a funny story
about how she sometimes forgets to turn off caps lock when
she's coding in SQL. Her team members think she's yelling –
but no, she's just coding!
Her post exploded with an unbelievable 5 million views. Within
a day of sharing this joke, she received FIVE job offers! All
related to coding in SQL.
64
Likewise, my friend, Annie, gained followers on LinkedIn and
TikTok by sharing her journey learning data analytics. Before
long, she started getting messages from recruiters, VPs, and
hiring managers who were impressed with her problem-solving
ability and communication skills.
I interviewed Annie for my first book. She said that if you want
a job as an analyst, show the world that you think like an
analyst. Don’t label yourself as “an aspiring data analyst”. Prove
you think like an analyst now and people will reach out.
Another friend of mine, Michael, landed a job at a French music
streaming platform. The company is a bit like Spotify. Every
week, he posted his data portfolio. It was full of machine
learning projects. The company saw his work and offered him
an internship to help them design their music recommendation
system. He nailed that, and they hired him full-time. He put
himself out there, and the perfect job came to him.
The same thing happened with Murad. He posted his data
portfolio on LinkedIn and every day he posted content about
his thoughts on AI. He was living in Azerbaijan but a start-up in
Silicon Valley saw his work and offered him a job working on AI
for them. How cool is that?
If you would like to read my full interviews with Annie, Megan,
Michael and Murad, you can find their interviews (and 60
more) right here.
65
How to Write Your First LinkedIn Post
The easiest way to get started is to introduce yourself. Steal this
template:
“Hey, I’m {Name}!
I’m from {Country}. I joined LinkedIn to meet fellow {Your
Dream Role}.
Are you passionate about {Topic of Dream Industry or Job
Role}?!
I’d love to learn more about {Industry}.
Feel free to ask me anything and introduce yourself below!”
It's that simple. People will introduce themselves in the
comments below and you’ll never look back.
Here’s a fun idea. When you post on LinkedIn, include the
hashtag #InfiniteUpside.
This way, everyone who reads this book can easily find one
another. Simply click on the hashtag and connect with others
who have done the same.
66
And just like that, my network is now your network. Feel free to
tag me in your post and I’ll come say hi.
You can find me sharing content on LinkedIn daily at 12.30 UK
time (GMT). If you click my profile page, there’s a little bell
button. Hit that, and you’ll get notified whenever I post. Drop
by any time and ask me anything. I try to respond to the
comments on my posts every day.
Posting Content on LinkedIn
Starting on LinkedIn? It's all about:
- Showing the real you.
- Talking about your journey.
- Meeting people on a similar journey.
- Showing off your work and skills.
- Practicing sharing your story.
- Showing how you solve problems.
- Showing the world how you think.
- Letting your personality shine.
- Proving you're getting better every week.
If you think a with a deep dive into this topic would be helpful,
please get in touch. I can write a newsletter that explains exactly
what to post and why.
67
I also offer 1:1 coaching so we can create your content strategy
together. Whatever works best for you.
Success Can Happen Quietly
Remember, instant results are not always the norm. Many of
your followers might be 'quiet observers'—they read your
content but might not actively engage.
Keep trying new ideas and study what works. Keep posting and
you’ll improve every day. If you want better results, remember
the MrBeast story. Find friends with similar goals and work
together to achieve them.
68
13
Targeting Your Dream Companies
This chapter is all about finding your dream job.
Instead of applying everywhere, my friend Kyle (who runs a
recruitment company) suggests a more focused approach. It
can save a lot of stress.
Deep Dive into Research
Find companies you want to work for by doing the
brainstorming exercise in Chapter 2. Kyles advice is to stick to
the job roles and sector that interests you most. Get to know
these companies inside out. Understand how they work, their
problems, and their plans.
You can find this info by speaking to people in your network.
You can also use company websites, job descriptions and
LinkedIn.
69
The more you know about the company, the easier it is to show
your value.
Align Your Story with the Company KPIs
I got great advice from my friend Carly who works on the Call of
Duty game for Activision.
Throughout the year, she jumps on calls with her work
stakeholders, asking questions and learning how they use data,
their goals and priorities. She also learns about the Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Her strategy is to keep her work in line with the company's
priorities.
But this approach doesn’t just have to be employees. If you are
looking for a job, you can start acting like one of their
employees. Many companies make their KPIs public. Use this
information to align your portfolio with what companies’ value
most.
Stay Organized and Manage Your Time
When I first started jobhunting, one of my biggest issues was
time management.
70
My results started to improve when I kept track of my job
search using a spreadsheet. I saved the names of recruiters,
hiring managers, and companies. This helped to stay organized
and get a lot more done.
I kept notes on how each company used data and how they
generated revenue too. These were helpful conversation starters
when I spoke the hiring manager.
Some of my coaching clients use time-management tools like
Clockify. This app helps you track time spent on job
applications, networking, and upskilling. This helps to make
sure you are balancing your time well.
The trick is to balance upskilling, creating content and reaching
out to people. I know it’s tough to manage so many things at
once. I’m not suggesting you do any of these things for more
than 15-20 minutes per day. Even a few minutes per day at each
will compound into huge results over time.
71
14
Securing Referrals for Job Interviews
A referral is when someone within your network suggests you
for a job at a company. They are a great way to get your resume
moved to the top of the pile. Here’s my strategy for getting your
first referral.
A Long-Term Strategy
Getting a referral isn't something that happens overnight. It
works best when you've worked with the person because they
can speak for your skills and work style.
But referrals aren't just from past coworkers. Building trust
with someone in your network and showing them your portfolio
and resume can also work. This is why I am always networking.
I post content on LinkedIn and comment on my friends’ posts.
This builds trust with the entire community. I talk to people
72
directly on calls and that trust deepens. If you're networking
with the right people, it’s only a matter of time before you will
find people who would love to work with you.
Remember, a strong referrer is someone who can vouch for
your skills and work style. If you keep posting proof that you're
an expert in your field, that's going to help you build a strong
reputation.
How to Get Referrals
Once you find potential referrers, talk to them politely. Set up a
call and talk about what you love about their company.
This is a great time to share your career story and why you're
excited about the job. Ask if they'd be okay with recommending
you. Companies often have referral programs where the referrer
can get a small bonus if you get hired. It’s a win for everybody.
Don't Forget to Follow Up
After you've talked, don't forget to send a thank-you note. This
is not only polite but also keeps the communication open. Plus,
it's another chance for you to show your enthusiasm for the job.
73
15
Summary & Key Takeaways
In this chapter, I will summarise the key takeaways from the
book. However, before you read this, I urge you to consider
what you have learned so far.
Here’s an idea that could be fun:
- Jump on LinkedIn (or any social platform)
- Post 3 things you learned in this book.
- Tag me in the post and I’ll come say hi.
- Use hashtag, #InfiniteUpside so we can find each other’s
posts.
- Bonus points to anyone who posts a photo of this books
front cover and drops this link to the book in the
comments.
If we all do this, we can all find each other and learn together.
Anyway, no pressure either way.
My Key Takeaways
74
In Chapter 1, we started with the benefits of online networking
and how to begin. Networking not only makes finding a job
easier, but it also makes it more enjoyable.
Remember, it's not about the number of people you know; it's
about the quality of your relationships.
Finding Your Path and Gaining Skills
In Chapter 2, we did an exercise to help you find your ideal role.
We looked at your achievements and identified any missing
skills.
In Chapter 3, we discussed how to gain those new skills. Don't
search for the perfect course; it doesn't exist. Just get started in
whatever way you can. Think of online courses as practice for a
bigger goal – making a relevant portfolio.
Crafting Your Story and Building Resilience
In Chapter 4, we showed others why you're the right person for
your dream job. When you are in a job interview, start with a
strong story that shows that hammers home your relevant
experience. Use the rest of the conversation to back your story
up with evidence from your previous work experience or
portfolio of work.
75
Chapter 5 described how your resume, LinkedIn profile and
portfolio are different versions of the same story. Keep it simple
and focus on explaining how you can add value to the business.
While networking, you repeat it. If it's simple and memorable,
others will repeat it for you. That's the power of networking.
I know this is all stressful, so in Chapter 6, we talked about the
mental side of things. We worked on building a resilient
mindset. With consistent effort and daily strategy tweaks,
success is inevitable. If 99 rejections lead you to land your
dream job, you've won. Play the long game.
Leveraging Your Network
In Chapter 7, we looked at the different people in your network
and how to talk to each of them. Find people who are active on
LinkedIn. Remember, commenting on LinkedIn posts is the
friendliest way to barge into people’s lives in 2023.
In Chapter 8, we talked about MrBeast. We suggested forming a
study group of 3-4 people with similar career goals. Support
each other. They can help you every step of the way.
Unlocking the Power of Information
In Chapter 9, we learned how to get a sneak peek of your dream
job from fellow industry professionals. They can give you an
76
idea of how the business makes money and how you add value.
Your network can also help you prepare for interviews. The
people around you are your biggest asset.
In Chapter 10, we discussed how recruiters can give you a peek
into what the hiring manager is thinking. Even if I wasn’t keen
on a job, I always talked to recruiters about jobs, my resume,
and pay. Get as much info as you can.
In Chapter 11, we discussed how to talk directly with the hiring
manager. Use your research and talk with industry pros to show
how YOU can add value. Share your story.
Getting Noticed
In Chapter 12, we introduced strategies to get you noticed for
these roles. Think of LinkedIn as part of your marketing funnel.
Your posts are at the top of the funnel. They bring the right
people to your profile. In turn, your profile becomes a hotspot
for recruiters and hiring managers. The key is to turn those
views into phone calls.
In Chapter 13, we focused our sights on your dream companies.
Many companies share their KPIs. Use this info to match your
portfolio with what the company values most.
Referrals can move your resume to the top of the pile. By
regularly posting content on LinkedIn, you build trust with your
77
network. By messaging people or jumping on a call, that trust
deepens. If you’re networking with the right people, you will
find people who would love to work with you.
Once you start online networking, you will never go back. The
downside is minimal, but the upside is infinite.
Thank you for reading Infinite Upside.
78
Are you Interested in Learning More?
I can help.
I will continue to share strategies with you via my newsletter,
Infinite Upside. This book was designed to introduce the
concepts. I hope the newsletter will help us take them further.
I also offer 1:1 coaching on everything from resume reviews,
LinkedIn profiles, crafting your story, content creation,
reaching out to people, building your network and job
interviews. Whatever you need.
If you have any thoughts, questions or feedback, contact me any
time. You can also find me in the comment section of my
LinkedIn posts.
If you enjoyed this e-book, please share the link to this book
with your network.
This link contains my previous e-books too. If you enjoyed this
book, you may enjoy them too.
Happy networking!
Michael
79