Why Networking Won't Get You a Job

My dating life used to be a mess. And implying that I had one is a bit of a stretch. At University, it consisted of going to the club, getting drunk and talking to any girl in the vicinity.

Unsurprisingly, this wasn’t working. I tried fixing it with some tactics like ‘making jokes’ and ‘asking questions’ but it didn’t do anything.

Then I stumbled upon a book that changed my life: Models by Mark Manson.

 Whilst most dating advice focused on easy tricks you could apply, models was the complete opposite. It focused on looking within, analysing your feelings and building a solid emotional foundation. Only then did it discuss more practical advice like how to hold a conversation.

The funny thing was it actually worked. I didn’t have to resort to twirling the girl around after 5 mins as I’d run out of things to say.

And interestingly, the ‘quick tactics’ like jokes and touching also helped me develop relationships.

I started getting more dates and eventually, I got my first proper girlfriend.

The book by Mark made me realise that you need a strong foundation before you can start applying ‘the polishing touches’.

I was reminded of that time in my life when I was talking to an aspiring data scientist who’d applied to hundreds of jobs, but wasn’t getting anywhere.

She told me how she was trying to increase her chances by attending in person networking events.

But that was like me trying all the silly tricks before reading models.

It wasn’t going to do anything, as she didn’t have strong Data Science Foundations.

And that’s where Tailored Projects come in.

By building projects which are

1) Relevant to the industry you want to work in

2) Executed to perfection and

3) Productionised

You build a solid foundation become qualified for your Dream Data Science Job.

And when you have a strong Tailored Project, other tactics like networking start to work.

Just like telling jokes improved my dating life, but only once I’d fixed my emotional foundation.

So don’t be daft.

Stop wasting days at networking events and start building Tailored Projects.