The 30-Day Networking Challenge That Landed Me My First Tech Job
(Even if you’ve already applied to 1000 jobs online)
I used to think landing a tech job was all about sending out as many applications as possible.
I’d tweak my resume, write cover letters, and hit "apply" on dozens of job postings every day. But all I got in return? Rejection emails… or complete silence. I was stuck—until I tried something different.
Instead of relying on the black hole of online applications, I committed to a simple challenge:
For 30 days straight, I sent one networking message per day.
And that one shift changed everything.
By the end of the 30 days, I had:
✅ Built real connections with professionals in my field
✅ Practiced articulating my skills and career goals
✅ Gotten multiple referrals—leading to interviews and, ultimately, my job offer
Most people never try this approach. That’s exactly why it works.
Here’s how you can do it too.
The 5-Step Networking System to Land Your First Tech Job
If you’ve been applying to jobs with little to no success, chances are you’re focusing too much on job boards and not enough on people.
Think about it: Hiring managers are bombarded with hundreds (sometimes thousands) of applications. If your resume doesn’t have an internal referral attached to it, it’s likely getting lost in the pile.
But when someone inside the company vouches for you? Suddenly, your application jumps to the top.
This strategy isn’t about "using" people. It’s about building genuine relationships with professionals in your field. And when done right, those relationships naturally open doors.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Step 1: Find 7 People to Connect With
The first step is to identify who you’ll reach out to.
Start with people in your extended network:
Former classmates or alumni from your university
Friends or acquaintances who work at companies you admire
People in your LinkedIn connections who are already in your target industry
Aim to find at least 7 people—one for each day of the first week. If you’re struggling, search LinkedIn for professionals with your dream job title and send them a connection request.
Most people assume networking means reaching out to executives or recruiters. But the best people to talk to are those just a few years ahead of you. They’ve recently been in your shoes and are more likely to help.
Step 2: Send One Message Every Morning
This step is simple but powerful.
Every morning, send one networking message. That’s it.
Your message should be short, friendly, and focused on them:
"Hey [Name], I admire your work at [Company]. I’d love to hear about your experience. Could we do a quick 15-min chat?"
No fluff. No over-explaining. Just a straightforward request to learn from them.
Why does this work?
It’s easy to say yes to a 15-minute chat.
You’re not asking for a job—just advice.
People enjoy talking about themselves.
Most people won’t send this message because they’re afraid of rejection. But here’s the truth: Even if only 3 out of 10 people respond, that’s 3 valuable conversations you wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Step 3: Make the Conversation About Them
Once you land a call, the real work begins.
Your goal is not to immediately ask for a job. Instead, make it a genuine conversation by focusing on them:
"What’s your favorite part about working at [Company]?"
"How did you break into the industry?"
"What skills have helped you the most in your career?"
People love sharing their stories. And when you show genuine curiosity, they’ll naturally warm up to you.
Then, toward the end of the call, casually ask:
"By the way, is your team currently hiring?"
"Do you know if [Company] has any open roles?"
If they say yes, great—ask if they’d be open to referring you.
If they say no, don’t panic. Instead, ask:
"No worries! Do you know anyone at another company who might be hiring?"
This is the magic of networking. Even if one person’s company isn’t hiring, they might introduce you to someone else who is.
Step 4: Follow Up and Expand Your Network
Most job seekers fail at networking because they don’t follow up (I used to do it as well.)
After your call, send a quick thank-you message:
"Thanks again for taking the time to chat! I really appreciated your insights on [topic]. If I can ever return the favor, let me know!"
Then, keep the momentum going:
If they introduce you to someone else, follow up with that new contact.
If they refer you for a job, stay in touch and update them on your progress.
If they don’t respond, wait a week and send a polite follow-up.
Networking isn’t about one-off conversations—it’s about building long-term relationships.
Step 5: Repeat for 30 Days
Here’s where the magic happens.
If you follow this system for 30 days, you’ll have:
Reached out to 30+ professionals in your industry
Built strong connections that could last your entire career
Created multiple opportunities for referrals and interviews
This isn’t just about getting a job. It’s about learning how to sell yourself, make connections, and unlock opportunities—skills that will serve you throughout your entire career.
Your Next Opportunity Is One Message Away
Most people won’t do this. They’ll stay stuck in the cycle of sending out applications and hoping for the best.
But the ones who take action? They’re the ones who get hired.
I know this because I’ve been there.
Now, I want to help you land your first data job using this exact strategy.
I’m putting together a small cohort of aspiring data scientists who want to:
🔹 Get direct feedback on their networking approach
🔹 Access my exact message templates and scripts
🔹 Join a Telegram chat with me and a supportive community
Want in? Follow the instructions on this Linkedin post.
Until Next time,
Penelope, I totally have fallen in love with most of your stacks... Good job! 👍