5 Networking Mistakes That Kill Your Job Search

You've heard it a thousand times: "It's not what you know, it's who you know."

And you've probably tried to act on it. Sent some LinkedIn messages. Attended a networking event or two. Maybe even asked a friend for an introduction.

But nothing happened.

Applications still go into the void. Referrals never materialize. And you're left wondering if networking actually works, or if it's just something successful people say after the fact.

Here's the truth: networking absolutely works. It's how 70-80% of jobs actually get filled. But most people do it completely wrong.

After talking to hundreds of job seekers and hiring managers, I've identified the five mistakes that kill networking before it even has a chance to work.

Mistake #1: Networking Only When You Need Something

This is the big one. The fatal flaw.

You lose your job on Tuesday. By Wednesday, you're frantically messaging every LinkedIn connection you've ignored for three years.

"Hi! Long time no talk. I'm looking for new opportunities and was wondering if you could help..."

Delete. Delete. Delete.

Nobody wants to help someone who only shows up when they need something. It feels transactional because it is transactional.

The Fix: Network Before You Need To

The best time to build relationships is when you have nothing to ask for.

Comment on people's posts regularly
Share useful content with no agenda
Check in with former colleagues just to say hi
Offer help before you need to ask for it

If you're already job searching: It's not too late. But change your approach. Lead with value. Offer to help with something before you ask for anything.

Mistake #2: Going Too Wide Instead of Going Deep

"I need to expand my network."

So you connect with 500 random people. Join 10 LinkedIn groups. Attend every virtual networking event you can find.

Your network grows. Your opportunities don't.

Here's why: a weak connection to 1,000 people is worth less than a strong connection to 10.

The person who refers you for a job isn't someone who vaguely knows your name. It's someone who can genuinely vouch for your work.

The Fix: Focus on Depth Over Breadth

Pick 20 to 30 people who are genuinely in a position to help you, or who you can genuinely help.

Then invest deeply in those relationships:

Have real conversations (not just LinkedIn likes)
Understand their challenges and goals
Find ways to add value to their lives
Follow up consistently

You probably only need ONE person to refer you to get your next job. Twenty strong relationships is more than enough.

Mistake #3: The Generic Outreach Message

We've all received them:

"Hi [Name], I came across your profile and was impressed by your experience. I'd love to connect and explore potential synergies."

What does that even mean? Synergies? This isn't a merger.

Generic messages get generic results (i.e., no results).

The Fix: Make It Personal (For Real)

Every message should answer one question: "Why me, specifically?"

Before reaching out:

Read their last 5 LinkedIn posts
Check their recent career moves
Find something genuinely interesting about their background

Bad: "I'd love to connect with other professionals in the industry."

Good: "Your post about transitioning from agency to in-house really resonated with me. I'm going through something similar and would love to hear how you navigated the first 90 days."

The second message took 3 extra minutes to write. It's 10x more likely to get a response.

Mistake #4: Asking for Too Much, Too Soon

"Hey, I saw you work at [Company]. Could you refer me for the open Product Manager role? Here's my resume."

Whoa. We just met.

A referral is a big ask. You're asking someone to stake their professional reputation on you. That trust takes time.

The Fix: The Coffee-Before-Wedding Approach

First interaction: Low stakes. Just get on their radar.

Comment on their post with a thoughtful take
No ask whatsoever

Second interaction: Small ask.

"Would you have 15 minutes for a quick call?"
NOT "Can you help me get a job?"

Third interaction: Build the relationship.

Follow up on your conversation
Share something relevant

Later: Now you can ask, because they actually know you.

Mistake #5: Treating Networking as a One-Time Event

"I went to that networking event and nothing came of it."

Of course nothing came of it. You met someone for 90 seconds over lukewarm coffee and expected them to change your career?

One conversation doesn't create a relationship. Follow-up does.

The Fix: Build a Follow-Up System

After every networking interaction:

Within 24 hours:

Send a follow-up message referencing your conversation
Connect on LinkedIn if you haven't already

Within 1 week:

Share something relevant to what you discussed

Ongoing:

Touch base every 4-6 weeks with something valuable
Congratulate them on wins and updates

You need a system for this. That's exactly why we built Core Line, a CRM designed specifically for job seekers. Don't rely on memory.

The Real Secret: Make Networking Sustainable

The reason most people hate networking isn't because networking is inherently terrible.

It's because they only do it when they're desperate, which makes it feel desperate.

When you network consistently (not just during job searches), it stops feeling like a chore. It becomes just... how you operate.

And when you need help, you have a network of people who genuinely want to give it.

At Core Line, we're building exactly this: a way to track your connections, follow up consistently, and build relationships that actually lead somewhere. Because networking shouldn't require becoming a different person. It should just require a better system.