Zocket

Remote is all the rage. But in person still exists. If you want roles in a big city, go to that city's networking events! Tips to best use your time: 1. Search for events online or ask your network. Then Identify the event type: - Small informal groups - Instance of larger organized, formal group - Instance of informal get-togethers (like happy hours) Go to the events that match your goals and personality. 2. Always meet and thank the organizer. Don't be that one mom at the kids sporting event complaining that it wasn't planned perfectly - Nobody's getting paid for this! Organizers are rarely appreciated for all the work they do. Thank them. And remember, in their position, they are usually super-connectors(TM) who know a ton of people. 3. When talking to people, always connect on LinkedIn This is a great way to move between conversations. "Hey Name, it was really great meeting you and learning that you do X. I drove from Sunnyvale to SF for this event, so I'd like to meet as many people as possible. Let's connect on LinkedIn because I'd like to stay in touch." LinkedIn has a QR code feature on mobile. Just click into the search bar at the top of the app (How many of you knew this? Be honest!) In person networking events can be hit or miss. But think of how many applications you send that do nothing. You may go to an event that produces little results. But odds are good that you'll meet people who could help you land your next role. Need help with this strategy? Drop your questions in the DMs. Or better yet, promote your organizations and their events!

Warm contacts often get our coldest messages. I see it every week coaching PMs into top tech roles. Two messages I've seen recently. Tell me which one is "warmer": Message A: "Hey, we both worked at Microsoft. I see you're now at Amazon on the ads team. Could you refer me for this role?" Message B: "I see you lead personalization at Netflix. I spent 2 years working on personalization at LiveRamp. I saw your cold-start post. Could I ask you some questions here about it?" Message A is from an old coworker. Message B is from a stranger. Which one gets a reply? Most people think outreach is warm or cold based on whether you know the person. It's not. It's warm or cold based on the message itself. A lazy message to someone you sat next to for three years is still a cold message. They'll feel it. And they won't reply. Here's the pattern that actually works. I call it "𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺. 𝗬𝗼𝘂. 𝗗𝗼." 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺: One specific observation about them. Not their company, them. Something only someone who looked at their profile would notice. 𝗬𝗼𝘂: One sentence about you that connects to what you just said about them. Not your resume. The relevant connection. 𝗗𝗼: One small, specific ask. Not "Will you refer me?" Not "Pick your brain?" Something they can say yes or no to in three seconds. That's it. Three sentences. Most people skip 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺, oversell 𝗬𝗼𝘂, and bury 𝗗𝗼 under five paragraphs of context. Or they just ask for too much, too soon. The reason this matters: when someone sends you a lazy message, they're telling you they didn't think you were worth it. That's the actual signal. The relationship history is irrelevant. I learned this the hard way landing a role at a VC firm: one of the most networking-intensive places to get hired. I thought I knew how to network. Eighteen months of coaching PMs has taught me how much more there is to know. If you're a senior PM and your outreach is getting ghosted — whether you're out of work, quietly looking, or just want a stronger network before you need one — send me a message. Make it a warm one. ;)