Episode 11. Why You Shouldn't Wait To Start Networking

About This Episode If you suddenly needed to look for another job tomorrow, who would you reach out to? When we think about networking, it’s easy to picture rooms full of strangers, awkward introductions or asking people if they know of any jobs. But your network might be much bigger than you think. In this episode, Carol and Sarah explore what networking really looks like, why reaching out can feel uncomfortable and how genuine conversations and connections can open doors you didn’t even know existed. They share how networking played a part in both of their own career journeys, along with real examples from career coaching where reconnecting with people and having the confidence to show up led to unexpected job opportunities. They also talk about LinkedIn, the role recruiters and hiring managers play in networking, and why building and maintaining professional relationships matters throughout your career, not just when you’re looking for another job. In This Episode • Why networking is about relationships, not collecting contacts • How to recognise the network you’ve already built throughout your career • Getting past the awkwardness of reaching out to people you haven’t spoken to in years • How to start genuine conversations without directly asking for a job • Real examples of networking opening doors to new career opportunities • LinkedIn, visibility and the power of showing up • Why building relationships with recruiters matters, even when they don’t have a suitable role • Simple ways to stay connected throughout your career Chapters 00:00 – Who would you reach out to if you needed a job tomorrow? 01:40 – What networking really means 03:30 – How networking led us both into recruitment 04:53 – Your network is bigger than you think 06:35 – Why reaching out can feel awkward 09:10 – A real story: how conversations opened career doors 11:43 – How to start the conversation 14:25 – LinkedIn and the power of showing up 19:05 – Building visibility without posting every day 21:00 – Recruiters, referrals and relationships 24:30 – Don’t wait until you need your network 27:50 – Myths & Truths 29:27 – Listener Love and final takeaways 🌐 Connect With Us LinkedIn — Seen, Heard & Hired:   / seen-heard-hired   Instagram — @seenheardhired:   / seenheardhired   Facebook — Seen, Heard & Hired:   / seenheardhired   Carol Fraser — Fraser People: https://www.fraserpeople.co.nz 💙 Thanks for Listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow or subscribe to Seen, Heard & Hired wherever you listen. We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions and experiences too — send us a message or leave us a comment. And if you know someone who could use this conversation in their job search, please share it with them.