Before You Submit a Job Application, Build Your Network First

Alondra Cañizal
Aug 3
2 min read

Updated: Aug 8

A woman sitting at a desk in an office, holding her head with both hands and staring upward, looking stressed or deep in thought.

As summer rolls through, it can be easy to get into an unintentional routine: scrolling job boards, tweaking your resume, and submitting applications right before the deadline. Then you move on to the next listing.

But what if, instead of focusing only on applications, you spent 30 minutes a day reaching out to your network or attending a local event?

Here’s why it matters: According to Zippia, 80% of professionals believe networking is essential to career success, and 70% of jobs are never publicly posted, making networking a crucial job search strategy. (Source: Zippia, 2023)

Why Networking Felt Hard (and What Changed)

I know networking can feel fake, awkward—even annoying. But the more you do it, the easier it gets. The nerves don’t fully disappear, but your confidence grows.

My first “networking” event was a college fair in high school. My dad would drive me an hour away after working long shifts, just so I could access resources I couldn’t find elsewhere.

In college, I attended formal events, etiquette dinners, and scholarship luncheons. I often felt out of place and unsure of what to say. So I stayed quiet and missed out on meaningful connections.

Now, networking is still a little nerve-wracking, but I show up with a plan. Here’s what works for me:

5 Ways to Make Networking Feel Easier

Be intentional. I go to just one in-person event per week, so I make it count.
Bring a friend. It makes the experience way less intimidating.
Research who's attending. Know who you want to talk to.
Prepare your elevator pitch. Use my free template to get started. No need to memorize it, just practice a little to get comfortable with sharing your why.
Follow up. If you connect with someone, send them a quick note afterward or a Linked In connection,