You need to improve your networking if you want to become a more independent worker

Networking rarely brings immediate results. It's an action with medium to long-term outcomes

As soon as I quit my job without having a structured Plan B, one of the most common pieces of advice I got was to invest in networking.

My first week after my resignation was during the Christmas and New Year holidays, so I took some time off. On the first business day of 2023, I activated the Mateus-Networker mode.

First, I reached out to as many people as possible from my previous job who were not yet aware of my exit —and whom I had some regular contact with.

I scheduled coffee meetings with some of them, which was great for having deeper conversations than in a work environment. I accumulated valuable tips and advice.

We often don't realize it, but we interact with many people throughout our careers, whether within the same company or from other service providers or partners. I tried to remember some of them and also sent messages. Once again, I received an avalanche of incredible advice.

It's important to emphasize that networking rarely brings immediate results. It's an action with medium to long-term outcomes.

But believe me, the returns come. I received some freelancing offers when I already had my remote fixed job. I did not take them to avoid overburdening myself, but it would have been helpful if I were still freelancing.

Mentioning freelancing, I did a freelance job for one of the largest portals in Brazil in February. The editor who accepted the article was one of the people I contacted in January. When I had the report ready, I informed her. It was good to have opened the door early.

I started using LinkedIn, the networking platform, more frequently. And it worked. My current boss saw me in a post there, noticed that I was no longer at my previous job, and made me an offer. Seriously, don't hate LinkedIn. Make good use of it instead.

I received many messages from people asking me: "How do I network if I'm shy or insecure?"

I know that this only gets resolved after some time. But take advantage of the benefit of social networks, which allows you to polish your message as much as you want.

Start by challenging yourself: send a message to someone you find interesting. Explain your admiration, how you incorporate what they do into your routine, and share a story.

If you have a close friend, share the message with them before sending it. Don't send it to too many people, as they will have different opinions that may make you insecure.

Then, go through all your contacts and list 5 or 10 people to continue this process with.

It's also important to engage in face-to-face networking. Look for events in your field that will take place in the coming months and attend them.

There, you will meet new people and encounter individuals you didn't even remember existed. Exchange business cards. Talk about what you're doing positively. Ask what they are doing. Be open to interacting. Show confidence.

Opportunities for contact arise, whether in a line, while waiting for a lecture, or during a meal.

Also, learn to identify who is not interested in conversation and let it go. No networking attempt is worth humiliation. Networking is like love: if one person doesn't want you, there are many others in the crowd waiting for you.

I attended the Web Summit in Rio in April to network

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I'm currently living in Rio de Janeiro. On Wednesday, I met up with a reader of this newsletter, Daniel Marinho, who is from Rio.

Unfortunately, we took no photos, but our chat over beers in Botafogo was an authentic networking experience. We talked about work, journalism, writing, Substack, careers, travels, life, Rio de Janeiro, stories from the past, and prospects for the future. It was incredible.

Check out his newsletter: Escriba de Bordo (in Portuguese). He defines it: “It's about our need for wandering, our search for more authentic experiences, and a more poetic perception of our paths”.