Career experts widely agree that one of the most powerful moves you can make for your career—especially when job hunting—is to prioritize networking over submitting endless applications.
Alan Stein, former hiring manager and CEO of Kadima Careers, recently told *Business Insider* that job seekers should adopt what he calls the “five chats” rule: aim to have five meaningful conversations each week with people who work at companies you’re interested in. Rather than treating these talks as opportunities to ask for a job, Stein advises approaching them with genuine curiosity. “Go in there with an intent to learn about them,” he said. These conversations help you build authentic relationships and expand your professional network, which can open doors in ways résumés alone rarely do.
One major benefit of networking is the potential for internal referrals—when someone within a company recommends you to a hiring manager or recruiter. This not only boosts your credibility but can also alert you to job openings before they’re widely advertised, giving you a critical head start.
Aaron Cleavinger, managing partner at Murdoch Mason Executive Search Group, echoed this strategy. He pointed out that most job seekers spend 80% to 90% of their time applying to roles, yet see interview conversion rates of only about 3%. His advice? Align your effort with your results: “If your return is 3%, then spend 3% of your time applying to jobs,” he told *Business Insider*. The rest of your time, he suggests, should go toward building relationships and having insightful conversations.
Importantly, networking isn’t just for the unemployed. Even if you’re not actively looking for a new role, Cleavinger recommends regularly connecting with one or two people each week to discuss industry trends, share insights, and nurture professional relationships. “The time to start networking is when you don’t need something from someone else,” he said—highlighting that strong networks are built long before you need them.