CEO added me on LinkedIn. Same school. Same program. Same industry. Should I ask him for a job? 👀
A CEO in my dream industry added me on LinkedIn a while back. Same college. Same program. He’s basically living the career I was on track for before getting laid off from a construction firm a few years ago.
Since then, I’ve interacted with his Linkedin here and there, liked a few posts, dropped a couple of thoughtful comments (he’s liked them), and he’s even viewed my profile. So I’m not a total random, but we’ve never actually talked.
Now I’m stuck in my head asking:
Is it weird to DM him and say I admire what he’s built and would love to work at his firm?
Or does that come off like “plz hire me sir 😅” energy?
Would you shoot your shot or nah?
Jobadvisor
This is a fantastic opportunity, and you should absolutely shoot your shot! It's not weird at all; in fact, it's a smart and proactive move given your shared background and his engagement with your profile.
Why You Should Go For It
- Shared Background: The "same school, same program, same industry" connection is incredibly powerful. It provides an immediate point of commonality and suggests a shared understanding of the field. He likely feels a natural inclination to support alumni, especially those from his program.
- Active Engagement: Your thoughtful comments, his likes, and his profile views show that he's already noticed you. This isn't a cold outreach; there's a foundation of recognition.
- Proactive vs. Passive: Waiting for a job posting is a passive approach. Directly expressing your interest in his firm, especially to the CEO, demonstrates initiative and genuine enthusiasm.
- Networking Done Right: This is precisely how effective networking happens. You're leveraging a connection in a professional and respectful way.
How to Approach It (Without the "Plz Hire Me" Vibe)
The key is to frame your message as a genuine admiration for his work and a desire to contribute, rather than a desperate plea. Here are a couple of options for your message:
Option 1: Focused on Admiration and Contribution
"Hi [CEO's Name],
I hope this message finds you well.
I've been following your work at [Company Name] for a while now, and I'm consistently impressed with what you've built, especially [mention something specific you admire about his company or a recent project]. As a fellow [Your School] [Your Program] alumnus, I've always admired your career trajectory, and it's actually very much aligned with the path I was on before [briefly mention your layoff/pivot if you feel comfortable, or just say 'a few years ago'].
I'm incredibly passionate about [mention your specific area of interest within the industry, e.g., sustainable construction, innovative design, project management] and would be thrilled at the prospect of contributing to a company with such a clear vision and impact. While I understand you may not have immediate openings, I would be grateful for the opportunity to learn more about [Company Name]'s work and perhaps explore how my skills in [mention 1-2 key skills] could be valuable to your team in the future.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name]"
Option 2: More Direct, But Still Professional
"Hi [CEO's Name],
Hope you're having a good week.
As a fellow [Your School] [Your Program] alumnus, I've been following your journey and the impressive work you're doing at [Company Name] for some time. It's truly inspiring to see what you've achieved.
I'm particularly drawn to [Company Name]'s focus on [mention something specific about the company's mission or projects] and have been hoping for an opportunity to potentially contribute to such a forward-thinking organization. My background in [your industry, e.g., construction management, project development], coupled with my skills in [mention 1-2 key skills], align well with the kind of work you're doing.
I understand you're busy, but if there's ever a time for a brief chat about potential opportunities at [Company Name] or just to learn more about the firm, I would be very appreciative.
Thanks,
[Your Name]"
A Few More Tips:
- Keep it Concise: CEOs are busy. Get to the point.
- Proofread: Ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors.
- Be Specific (where possible): Mentioning something specific you admire about his company (e.g., a recent project, their values, an innovation) shows you've done your homework and aren't sending a generic message.
- Attach Your Resume (Optional but Recommended): You could add a line like, "I've attached my resume for your reference, should an opportunity arise." This makes it easy for him if he's interested.
- Be Patient: He might not respond immediately. Don't take it personally.
- Be Prepared: If he does respond, be ready to articulate exactly what kind of role you're looking for and how your skills would benefit his company.
Final Answer: Yes, shoot your shot!
This is a prime example of leveraging your network effectively. Your connections with him are strong, and you've already established a small degree of recognition. Good luck!
Boss wants to cut my salary by 15k. So I said my next move is to create my own agency.
This is a bit convoluted, but here is how my day went: had an awkward and somewhat combative conversation with my boss. I had been doing the job of 4 people when I joined last year (literally four previous positions, no exaggeration, between operations and marketing), to execute on substantial and complex programs.
So when I finally said we need more help, she conceded to 1 high level new hire to help. Great, 1 job down, 3 more to work out. ..
Today, she tells me because so and so started, it’s time to decrease my salary since that person will be doing that share of the work…. And will be making MORE than I do and maybe “soon” I’ll be back on par with the rest of senior leadership.
I said that’s not acceptable and that I won’t tolerate being paid less at a time when my efforts have more than exceeded expectations and that my next move will be that I’ll create my own consultancy and I’m happy to work with our clients in a new capacity. The majority of these programs need my exact specialty, not the new hire’s.
She started to get nervous and told me not to do anything hasty and that she didn’t want to lose me over 15k. (Note that I literally do a lot across communications PR: A+ story pitches, translate best practices from research, marketing across digital/media buys, thought leadership, website, etc)….. Basically anything that a written word touches, I’m somehow totally responsible for across a team with multiple master degrees. (I have an MS by the way, I’m also 10+ years younger than the rest of the team).
As luck would have it and lo and behold: another member of the senior leadership (who doesn’t take ownership of anything ever) emails the both of us asking for my help editing a Word doc because they couldn’t resize a jpeg on it and figure out where the header is. 🤯 This is a person making MORE than me, prospectively.
Boss and I ended the conversation that we’d “talk next week” and see if other clients can pony up more money.
I’m frankly insulted and amused that this person’s priority is demoting her hardest worker instead of making better choices as a leader. So, now I’m feeling empowered to just start my own business and take these very satisfied clients with me.
If I stay, and even if she finds the money, I know how she feels about a younger, more savvy subordinate. I think I’ve made up my mind here.
Advice?
Jobadvisor:
It sounds like you're in a truly frustrating and insulting situation. Your boss's approach to your compensation, especially given your significant contributions and the quality of your work, is completely out of line. It's understandable that you're feeling empowered to start your own agency.
Here's some advice as you navigate your next steps:
Before You Do Anything Hasty (or Don't)
You told your boss your next move is to create your own agency, which was a powerful statement. Before you formally resign or make any irreversible moves, it's crucial to be strategic.
- Document Everything: Keep a detailed, private record of everything relevant: dates, times, specific conversations, projects you've managed, your achievements, and any communication (emails, Slack messages, etc.) that supports your claims of handling multiple roles or exceeding expectations. This includes the recent conversation about your salary cut and her reaction.
- Review Your Employment Agreement: Check for any non-compete clauses, non-solicitation clauses, or intellectual property agreements. Understand what restrictions might exist regarding working with current clients or competing with your current company after you leave. This is crucial for protecting yourself legally.
- Assess Your Finances: How long can you comfortably go without a steady income if you start your own business? Do you have savings to cover living expenses, potential business setup costs, and a buffer for unexpected expenses?
The "Talk Next Week"
Your boss wants to "talk next week" and see if other clients can "pony up more money." This is an attempt to appease you and buy time, but it also reveals her (lack of) leadership skills.
- Prepare Your Stance: Go into that conversation with a clear idea of what you will and will not accept.
- If you are truly set on leaving: You can reiterate your stance that a pay cut is unacceptable and that you've been exploring other options, including starting your own consultancy. You don't have to outright resign in this meeting, but you can signal your strong intent.
- If there's any chance you'd consider staying (even a small one): Be very clear about your non-negotiables. This should include not only your current salary being maintained or increased, but also a clear path for future growth and fair compensation, and potentially more support if you are still doing the work of multiple people. Demand a concrete plan, not just vague promises.
- Focus on Value, Not Just Money: While the money is a huge part of this, frame your argument around the immense value you bring to the company and the specialized expertise you possess. Remind her of the complexity of the programs you've handled and the direct impact of your work on clients.
- Be Wary of Empty Promises: Your boss's immediate reaction was to cut your pay. Even if she "finds" the money, this incident has revealed her true priorities and how she values you. Trust is broken. Even if you stay, this underlying dynamic will likely persist.
Building Your Own Consultancy
This sounds like a fantastic and empowering path for you, especially given your skills and client relationships.
- Identify Your Core Offering: You mentioned your "exact specialty" and doing a lot across communications PR. Clearly define the services you'll offer.
- Leverage Your Network (Carefully): You have satisfied clients. While you need to be careful about non-solicitation clauses, clients are often loyal to individuals, not just companies. Once you've officially left, you can reach out to your contacts.
- Build Your Business Plan: Even a simple one. What's your target market? How will you price your services? What's your marketing strategy?
- Set Up the Legalities: Research registering your business, obtaining any necessary licenses, and understanding tax implications in your location.
- Start Now (Discreetly): While still employed, you can begin laying the groundwork: developing your service offerings, creating a basic website/portfolio, and generally preparing for launch. Just be sure this work doesn't overlap with company time or resources.
Your Mind Is Made Up
It sounds like you've reached a breaking point, and your intuition is telling you to move on. That feeling of being insulted and realizing your boss's priorities are misaligned is a strong indicator that this environment is no longer serving you. The anecdote about the senior leader unable to resize a JPEG truly highlights the disparity in value and compensation.
You've already demonstrated your worth and impact. Sometimes, the best move for your career and self-respect is to create your own opportunities where your contributions are truly valued and rewarded.
What specific aspects of starting your own consultancy are you most curious about exploring first?