A story about networking and getting a job

You never know what a short conversation with someone could result in, but one thing is for sure: If you do it all alone, you're a lot less likely to succeed.

Welcome to LFOTM, a special once-a-month newsletter edition on the last Friday of each month for paying subscribers. In these posts, I’ll cover some personal stories and talk more about my philosophy on career growth and product management.

I recently had a conversation with someone just a few years into their Product Management career. We discussed making connections, getting ahead, and overall career growth and success. It reminded me of how I felt early in my career, so I wanted to share my perspective on career growth. It may motivate you if you're feeling behind; these things don't happen overnight, and success accumulates over time.

This conversation reminded me of an experience years ago. After years of freelancing and consulting, I decided to dip my toe into something else. I put a few feelers out on the Sunday of a long weekend and, within hours, had an interview scheduled. I didn't know it then, but I had made a connection that helped me get that job.

Several years prior, a marketing agency I knew had a client who needed help migrating some email to a new provider. I was working just down the street, so I popped over and did the work (even though it was out of my wheelhouse, it was still something they knew I could do relatively quickly).

Unknown to me, that client with email trouble had been going through a challenging time; someone else had bailed on the job, they had a business partnership fail, and a death in the family all within that week. They were thrilled I could help, and I left a great impression on them. They followed me on Facebook, and we never talked again. Years later, when I posted I was looking for a new role, they recommended me to their good friends who were looking for someone with my skill set, and that recommendation overwhelmingly helped me get the job.

That's just one story (well, two, if you include the design agency I happened to know because we worked in the same co-working space at some point), but there are more. Those connections took about 4-5 years to result in that job. How the connections we make might work for the better is often obscure, which is what I want to emphasize. Your time is meaningful, and it's your most valuable asset. You don't want to spend it foolishly, but you don't want to horde it. There's a lot of luck in what we do, and you never know what new connection could lead to something better. Small investments in new skills, connecting with people, helping others, and sharing your thoughts through writing will all pay off somehow.

My advice is to be helpful when you can, support others along their journey, don't be afraid to ask for help or talk about what you want to achieve with others. You never know what a short conversation with someone could result in, but one thing is for sure: If you do it all alone, you're a lot less likely to succeed.

You build long-term success by playing the infinite game, not trying to win in the short term. The flywheel effect of relationships and connections is powerful, and there's no such thing as overnight success.