Tell the Chef I Sent You

The role of referrals in your job search

Author

Sara Kobilka
June 19, 2024

You’ve already got the connections needed to find your next opportunity. Read more to find out who they are and how to use them.

- Sara Kobilka, Renaissance Woman

One of my favorite parts of traveling is checking out local restaurants. Specifically, I love locally-owned coffee shops and wine tasting establishments. I enjoy these culinary outings even more when the location has been recommended by a friend. And I KNOW I’m into something good when someone recommends a place AND tells me, “And let them know that (insert name) sent you.” When that happens, I have always received great service above and beyond a generic customer.

The same goes for my job searches. Whenever someone has encouraged me to name-drop them when I apply or has offered to put in a good word for me with the hiring manager/team, I always make it further in the hiring process (and have gotten the job multiple times!)

But how do you find this type of connection? It’s all about using your current network of contacts and leaning in to your 2nd degree connections, the people you’d label as acquaintances. Researchers call this “The Strength of Weak Ties” (I’ve linked to a couple research articles on this topic in my blog post for anyone interested in digging into the data).

The basic idea behind this theory is that your closest connections often overlap significantly—you tend to “run in the same circles”—which means that you’re all hearing about the same opportunities. Your acquaintances are more likely to share new job opportunities with you. Because these new opportunities are outside your usual connections, having someone vouch for you as a potential employer is invaluable. It also gives you something to talk about during the job interview…so how do you know (insert name)?

What steps should you take to start building up these connections?

1. Make sure you’re on LinkedIn and that your profile is current.

2. If you aren’t already connected with your coworkers and people you have collaborated with on projects, connect now.

3. Join LinkedIn groups for organizations you’re part of currently or have been part of in the past (such as the alumni group for your college or university).

If you’d like to explore the power of LinkedIn further, I just scheduled my next Using LinkedIn to be a Powerhouse Networker workshop for Monday, August 5 from 11am-noon. You can join live (20 spots available) or watch a recording afterwards.

In this training you will learn:

  • how to meaningfully make connections

  • ways to design your profile so you stand out

  • how/why it is worth utilizing free trials of LinkedIn Premium and LinkedIn Learning

Remember, you don’t have to build your entire LinkedIn profile and network in a day. Just spend a few minutes here and there and you’ll see results.

PS: To keep myself and other fans of the arts entertained (remember, I am a Renaissance Woman after all), look for a reference to at least one song lyric or quote from a movie, TV show, play or musical. Message me on LinkedIn if you find it and you win…a virtual shout out in the next newsletter!

This week’s shout out goes to Kate Schneider, my good friend and a fabulous editor. Will you be the next next winner?

Hi! I’m Sara Kobilka, owner of Renaissance Woman Consulting.

I am a Renaissance Woman and part of my wider-ranging background includes time as a TV meteorologist/reporter, non-profit leader, higher education program coordination, and now, business owner. During each leg of this journey, I gained new skills that I was able take with me in my next step. Now, I work remotely with clients to help them confidently tell their story and navigate the transition to their next step on their career journey.

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