How to network proactively?
I'm currently happily employed and I want to cultivate a strong network so that when I need a new job in the future, I am not struggling
I have watched the Taro course on referrals and cold emailing, but my issues is that I went to a small no-name state school and I don't know that many alumni. Also work at a 5-10 person YC backed startup so I don't interact with many people at my job
I understand networking is a long term game, but I feel stuck trying to build deeper relationships and especially trying to level up
I'd love something actionable on how I can add value to people and network that doesn't rely on my job/college
I'd also love to know how to leverage the fact that I work at a YC backed company to network with other YC backed startups?
Everyone wants to work at a YC backed company so I worry that the eng leads/founders get tons of spam email, so how can I stand out -- especially if they are a B2B company where I cant use their product and offer feedback or if they're more mature (series A/B) and I don't really have a lot of feedback
![Mid-Level Software Engineer [SDE 2] at Amazon company logo](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffirebasestorage.googleapis.com%2Fv0%2Fb%2Ftech-career-growth.appspot.com%2Fo%2Fcompany_logos%252Famazon_logo.jpg%3Falt%3Dmedia%26token%3Dff5f2302-08be-43bc-b7b1-d381ba508d99&w=48&q=75){kind=logo}
Discussion
(4 comments)- 3
8 months agoTech Lead @ Robinhood, Meta, Course HeroIf you work at a YC-backed company, you already have a huge head start! Ask the founders if you can tag along whenever they go to a YC networking event. If you're in a major tech hub, that's a great way to meet lots of talented engineers. Once you go to these events, your goal is to find people you resonate with and try to connect with them later on in a 1 on 1 setting. More tips here: "How to Approach Taro Networking Event"
On top of that, I recommend signing up for Taro Networking and reaching out to people: https://www.jointaro.com/networking/
Communal Taro events like Book Club is another great place to meet talented engineers. I remember there was a Taro event a while back where 2 of the engineers were having a great chat in Zoom, and they decided to continue the conversation offline after the call to dig deeper. Lots of cool stuff can happen when you just show up and participate!
- 1
7 months agoJunior Software Engineer [OP]Taro CommunityThanks for the recommendations Alex, I'll check out the book clubs!
I unfortunately don't live in a tech city so in person meetups are hard to come across.
Do you have any other advice on how I can leverage being in a YC backed company to build deeper relationships with others? Perhaps cold DMing asking for coffee-chats?
- 17 months agoEng @ Taro
I understand networking is a long term game, but I feel stuck trying to build deeper relationships and especially trying to level up
I'd love something actionable on how I can add value to people and network that doesn't rely on my job/college
You are right that networking is a long term game. It can be harder to build connections with people when you only have one-off interactions with them. Having repeated interactions with other people is the best way to build trust with other people, especially when you are able to break down the professional shield you have when meeting people for the first time.
I'm not sure where you live, but if you live in a city with a large population of tech workers (SF, Seattle, NYC), find an activity or club that you are interested in, and you are sure to find other people working at different tech companies there.
I would also recommend Taro Networking to introduce yourself to people in the community. Your first interaction with someone might not lead to a significant relationship, but you might meet up with them again at a local Taro meetup or you might grab coffee or lunch with them. If you can stack multiple interactions with people, you'll really be able to build that trust with them and reach out to them in the future.
- 07 months agoJunior Software Engineer [OP]Taro Community
Thanks Charlie, I'll check out Taro networking! Your advice helps a lot
I live in a non tech city so in person meetups are hard for me at the moment
As someone who's also a SWE in a YC backed company, do you have any advice or tips to leverage being part of the YC community to build deeper relationships with people?
