Peer Networking in Engineering Fields

How senior engineering roles are actually filled (what no one tells you) After helping dozens of engineers land leadership positions, I've learned that the traditional approach to networking fails at senior levels. Here's what really works: 1. Stop collecting random connections. Start building a "brain trust" of 5-7 deep relationships with peers at your target level. These become your sounding board, insider guides, and eventually, your advocates. 2. Contribute meaningfully to technical communities before you need anything. Senior engineers who regularly share learnings in Slack groups, contribute to open source, or solve problems on GitHub build credibility that recruitment posts never can. 3. Document your engineering approach publicly. Writing thoughtful posts about technical decisions, architecture patterns, or leadership philosophies gives hiring managers insight into how you think—which matters more than your resume. 4. Master the "problem-focused" conversation. When meeting engineering leaders, avoid asking about job openings. Instead, ask about their current technical challenges and offer perspectives. These exchanges demonstrate your value naturally. 5. Find the "kingmakers" in your desired organization. These aren't recruiters or hiring managers—they're respected senior engineers whose technical opinion carries weight. One referral from them outweighs 50 applications. 6. Develop specialized knowledge in emerging areas where talent is scarce. Becoming the go-to person for a specific technical domain creates inbound opportunities when companies need that expertise. 7. Join technical decision-making forums. Participating in architecture reviews, RFC discussions, or technical design panels positions you alongside senior engineers and makes your transition to their level feel natural. 8. Create leverage through comparative knowledge. Engineers who can speak intelligently about how different companies solve similar technical problems bring unique value to senior discussions. 9. Understand the "hidden org chart" Who actually influences decisions versus who has the formal authority. This insight comes only through relationship building. 10. Be deliberately visible during company inflection points. Major product launches, technical migrations, or strategic pivots create opportunities for external experts to engage meaningfully. The traditional networking advice—attend events, send cold messages, ask for referrals—works for entry and mid-level roles but falls flat for senior positions. At senior levels, you don't get hired through applications. You get hired because the right people already know your value.

Don’t Just Network Up — Network Across When most people think about networking, they picture shaking hands with senior leaders, trying to get on someone’s radar, or asking for favors from people above them. But here’s a truth that’s often overlooked: Your peers—those working alongside you—are some of the most powerful connectors and advocates you’ll ever have. Why? Because they’re often the ones: Collaborating with you day-to-day Nominating you for projects Recommending you for promotions Speaking about you in informal settings Networking across your organization can be just as valuable—if not more so—than networking up. Here’s how to build strong peer relationships that can accelerate your career: 🔹 Be generous with your time and knowledge. When you help your peers solve problems or learn something new, they remember—and they pay it forward. 🔹 Communicate openly and honestly. Trust is built through transparency. When you share wins and challenges, your peers feel safe to do the same. 🔹 Look for opportunities to collaborate cross-functionally. Breaking down silos expands your visibility beyond your immediate team and creates advocates in unexpected places. 🔹 Celebrate your peers’ successes. Recognize and champion others’ wins publicly—it creates goodwill and often encourages reciprocal support. The strongest networks aren’t hierarchical ladders; they’re webs of authentic, mutually supportive connections. So next time you think about building your network, don’t just focus on the “higher ups.” Invest time in your peers—they might just be the key to your next big opportunity.

𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 🅻🅴🆂🆂🅾🅽 8/10 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 Connections are invaluable in the tech industry—they can open doors to opportunities, provide insights into the field, and accelerate your career growth. Here's how to build a strong professional network: 𝟭. 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀, 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 Industry events are excellent places to meet professionals, exchange ideas, and stay updated on the latest trends. Look out for: • 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀: Often hosted by tech communities or organizations in your area. • 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀: These might focus on topics like AI, cybersecurity, or software development. Examples include DEF CON, PyCon, or Hackathons. • 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀: These provide a hands-on way to learn while connecting with like-minded peers. When you attend these events, don’t just be a passive observer. Introduce yourself to speakers, interact with participants, and exchange contact information. 𝟮. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗶𝘁𝗛𝘂𝗯 • 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻: Create a professional profile that highlights your skills and projects. Share your achievements, follow influential professionals, and actively engage by commenting on posts or sharing useful content. • 𝗚𝗶𝘁𝗛𝘂𝗯: Showcase your coding skills by contributing to open-source projects or uploading your own work. Engaging in open-source communities allows you to learn from others and build relationships with developers worldwide. Building your online presence makes it easier for others to discover your work and expertise. 𝟯. 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 • 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀: They offer real-world experience and introduce you to professionals in the industry. Treat every internship as a chance to prove your skills and expand your network. • 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: Reach out to experienced professionals, professors, or alumni for guidance. Many are happy to share their journey and advice, which can be a source of inspiration and direction. Always follow up with a thankyou note or email after meaningful interactions—it leaves a lasting impression. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗽: 𝗕𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 Networking isn’t about collecting contacts; it’s about building genuine relationships. Be approachable, respectful, and consistent in maintaining connections. Over time, this network can become a support system that helps you learn, grow, and succeed in your programming career. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘵, 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. #Students #ComputerScience #Programming #SelfImprovement

💡 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 — 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 !! I wasn’t planning to post this again. But I had no choice… Because people are still doing the same mistake over and over. 😓 And still their’s first message is, “Hi Bhavik, can you refer me?” “Any openings in your company?” “Please share your number — I really need help.” If this is how you’re reaching out — I understand your urgency, truly I do. I’ve been there. But that’s not how real networking works. Especially in Canada or any professional world. Especially not on LinkedIn. ⸻ ❌ Don’t Start with a Favour. When someone connects with you and the first thing they say is “Can you help me get a job?” — It puts the other person in a tough spot. Would you trust someone you’ve never spoken to before? Would you refer a stranger to your manager? ⸻ ✅ Start with Real Curiosity. Instead of asking for something — Start by appreciating something. Start with a question. Start with a story. Here’s what works better: 🟢 Hi Bhavik, I’ve been following your posts for a while. Your journey as an international student really inspires me. I’d love to know what helped you get your first job here. 🟢 Hello, I saw your recent post about working night shifts in construction. I’m studying civil engineering too, and your content gives me hope. Can I ask how you got into fieldwork? See the difference? You’re not asking, you’re connecting. ⸻ 🧠 Real Networking = Building Trust Over Time. It’s not about “How many connections you have.” It’s about how many conversations you’ve built. ✔️ Comment on posts. ✔️ Share your story. ✔️ Send personalized messages. ✔️ Don’t just connect — engage. Remember: 🔹 Don’t ask for resumes or references on Day 1. 🔹 Don’t send copy-paste AI-generated lines like: “Hey, it’s been a while. Hope you’re doing well.” (We all know when it’s not real. Be human.) ⸻ 📌 Networking is an Art — Start Practicing Before You Need It. Don’t wait until you’re desperate for a job. Start showing up now. Show up when you’re still in school. Show up when you’re growing. Support others without expecting anything in return. Because that’s how real relationships are built. And real relationships open real doors. 🔓 ⸻ To every international student reading this: 🌱 Networking isn’t begging. It’s bridging. 🧠 You don’t need a big resume to connect. You just need a little heart. 👥 Every professional was once a beginner — just like you. Start by respecting the process. Respect brings relationships. Relationships bring referrals. ⸻ 💙 If this helped you understand networking better, share it with one more person today. Because somewhere out there is someone struggling with the same message you once sent. ♻️ Repost to help our international student community build smarter, not harder. #LinkedInTips #NetworkingDoneRight #InternationalStudents #JobSearchCanada #CareerGrowth #CanadianJobMarket #LinkedInCanada #Referrals

You can’t be great at what you do in a vacuum. Who is in your circle? If you want to be truly excellent, whether in RevOps, sales leadership, marketing, whatever, you need a small crew of smart people in similar roles at a different company that you trust. Top 5 reasons to have a strong peer network (especially in your lane): 1. No one else gets it like they do: Peers doing the same kind of work actually understand your challenges. Not in theory, in practice. That context makes their feedback 10x more valuable. 2. You need a safe place to be unsure: You’re not always going to have the answers. You need people you can be real with when you’re thinking out loud, pressure-testing ideas, or just need a gut check. 3. They’ve probably solved it already: Why reinvent the wheel? A good peer group is a cheat code for frameworks, vendors, decks, board prep, whatever. You can borrow, steal, or improve on what already works. 4. They push you to level up: Seeing how someone else approaches a problem often forces you to re-examine your own assumptions. A good network keeps you sharp. 5. The job can be lonely otherwise: Especially in senior roles, you need people who remind you that you’re not crazy. OR IF YOU ARE CRAZY, at least you’re in good company. Whether it’s a daily group text (Mollie B., Mallory Lee) Slack group (🔌 Andy Mowat thanks for bringing us together), a recurring Zoom (Tierney Didier Cassandra Hagerich what would I do without you?!), or just a few texts a week Chris Cunningham, Erick M., Michael Grinberg, Dorota Szeremeta, Mike Lovell (or several texts, calls and facetimes Sylvia LePoidevin Lawrence Patrizio), BUILD your circle. PS - thank you to everyone else not listed above that I talk to ALL the time, couldn't do it without you. Who is in your circle?

The No. 1 mistake early career researchers and academics make is focusing only on research, not building their network. As an early career researcher, getting out there and making connections is crucial. One of the most effective ways to build your network is by attending major conferences in your field. These events are unparalleled networking hubs where innovators converge to share ideas, and they provide a unique opportunity for you to connect with peers and potential collaborators. Deliver impactful poster presentations or talks to showcase your expertise and put your name out there. Engage, ask questions, exchange ideas, make substantive connections that could open collaborative doors. Don't just hide behind your laptop - take every opportunity to meet influential peers and mentors. Build relationships, gather feedback, and get advice from those with more experience. A solid professional network is invaluable for career growth, recognition and credibility. So get out from behind the lab bench, connect, engage and shine! #research #phd #science #university #networking

I landed my first high paying job pretty early in my career than I ever expected. It wasn’t because I knew the perfect tech stack or had the most impressive resume. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠. Yes, I had the skills to pass the interview, but I wouldn’t have gotten that chance at all if I hadn’t built relationships within the industry. 𝐌𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭? 📍Especially if you’re just starting your career, make a conscious effort to connect with engineers who are further along the path than you. 𝐖𝐡𝐲? ↳ A strong network can lead to introductions and opportunities you wouldn’t even know exist. ↳ Experienced engineers can share insights on avoiding common mistakes and advice on essential skills for landing a job. ↳ With their guidance, you’re more likely to take bold and strategic steps. 𝐒𝐨, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨? ↳ 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠. Build real relationships with other engineers who have been on the journey longer than you. ↳ Join tech communities, attend webinars, or connect on LinkedIn with a personal note. ↳ Seek out engineers who are in roles or companies you aspire to be in. ↳ Regularly engage with your network P.S Doing it all alone might work, but it may be harder and slower. There’s no award for “who struggled more”. Has a connection ever helped you in your career? Share your experiences below. ♻️ Found this helpful? Repost to share with others who might need this reminder.