Who you know > what you know

Preface

If you’re not networking, you’re limiting yourself.

You probably have a bunch of friends that have gotten coveted internships at top tech companies — Google, Amazon, Meta, to name a few. But they likely didn’t get those roles by just being the best developers or designers. More often than not, they got a foot in the door through someone they knew.

In fact, according to an ex-Google recruiter, “a message on LinkedIn and a personalized email to the company hiring manager” is one of the most important things that many young professionals forget to do in the job application process.

LinkedIn is your best friend

But putting yourself out there isn’t easy. To be honest, it’s a bit scary. I remember when I first created my LinkedIn profile, I was hesitant to connect with people I didn't know well — what if I seemed desperate or bothersome?

Yet, after seeing almost every startup founder with “500+ connections” on their profile, I realized that expanding your network is the norm, not the exception. I had to get over my hang ups and put myself out there if I ever wanted access to the hidden job market that runs on referrals. I connected with school alumni, like-minded founders, students from other schools — essentially anyone who I had a mutual connection with. And soon enough, I grew my LinkedIn network to over 500 connections. 

Now, I’m not saying that you have to be a LinkedIn junkie and post six times a week. But simply connecting with five new people a month can pay dividends. Comment thoughtfully on someone's post. Ask a founder you admire for a virtual coffee chat. Reach out to a recruiter at your dream company saying you'd love to learn more. A few outreach attempts will always fail, but it’s the small wins that make a big difference over time. 

Launching Codin

When launching Codin, I wanted as many people to know about the platform as possible. So, I dedicated the first few days after our social launch solely to connect with target users — college students, young professionals, you name it. I’d send them a personalized note to get them to join our waitlist, then follow up asking what they’re looking for in Codin. 

I also connected with startup founders, investors, and accelerator directors I admired, pitching our vision and value proposition. After connecting with Cory Levy, founder of Z Fellows, I was invited to Internapalooza in summer 2023 — and my network grew tenfold.

I met tons of impressive Gen Z founders, VC associates, and startup ecosystem builders in-person there. Many were intrigued by Codin and signed up themselves — all because of one LinkedIn connection. 

Cold emailing

But, LinkedIn connections aren’t the only thing that are going to grow your network.

It takes a certain type of person to muster up the courage to cold email strangers and companies. And you need to be that person.

Many people fear rejection when reaching out. But, you must put that fear aside and make direct contact, or risk missing out. 

For positions that are more flexible in terms of the application process, or don’t have a set application process, cold emailing will be your best friend. It cuts through the noise directly to the decision maker.

Let’s take a look at one of the cold emails that got me a research position at Stanford. 

I got lucky, and only had to send this type of email to four different professors (all responded!) before eventually getting a “yes,” but most of the time, it’ll take at least 10 touch points before a response. Out of every 20 emails, I’d say one converts into an opportunity.

Even if the person receiving the email says “no,” that’s still an introduction, and a foot in the door for future opportunities. Don't get discouraged by rejection — follow up periodically with new ideas and thoughtfulness to provide value.

Look up contact info, customize your asks, and showcase what you can contribute. Do your research so you can speak directly to how your skills align with their needs.

And while a small percentage of cold emails convert, those that do make all the difference. A single message opened the door to my Stanford research position, as well as introductions to startup founders and accelerators.

For developers

The tech market is oversaturated. There are millions of insanely talented software developers who grind LeetCode for three hours per day, practice fifteen technical interviews per week, and have hundreds of personal projects on GitHub. But, if you use the tips from this article and can master networking, you’ll beat these developers a majority of the time. 

At Codin, we are focused on helping developers build their portfolios and connect with jobs. We recognize that landing that dream tech role is about far more than just being able to write flawless code. It’s about putting yourself out there, networking authentically, and leveraging personal connections.

That's why we built features into Codin like recruiter messaging, visibility upgrades, and smart recommendations — to help our users connect to the right people. Our goal is to emulate the power of personal outreach and relationship building, even through a digital platform.

Because at the end of the day, people want to hire those they know and trust — not faceless candidates with perfect resumes. They want to work with friends-of-friends, enthusiastic references, and those with whom they’ve built rapport.

I hope that this article helps you out in some way. If you’re interested in what we’re building at Codin, join the waitlist here.