In April 2012, I (Laura) was yet again riding Amtrak back to DC after two straight days of exploratory chats and interviews in NYC.

I checked my inbox and had gotten an offer for my first startup job: General Manager at HowAboutWe (a now defunct dating site).

My interview didn’t come from a job board or my business school network. It came through a connection made by a high school friend I hadn’t talked to in over 5 years.

Every job opportunity I’ve gotten has come from a connection, even if it wasn’t a strong one.** Turns out weak ties are the way to go.**

Here are some tips for how to find your next job by nurturing weak ties in a way that feels authentic to you.

First, the start with the basics:

What’s a “weak tie”?

Weak ties are the people you’re loosely connected to through any activity in your work or personal life. Here’s how they’re described by Allie Volpe for the New York Times.

Think of the parents you see in the drop-off line at school. Your favorite bartender. The other dog owners at the park. The sociologist Mark Granovetter calls these low-stakes relationships “weak ties.” Not only can these connections affect our job prospects, they also can have a positive impact on our well-being by helping us feel more connected to other social groups.

Why are my weak ties important for finding my next job? Let’s talk about pie.

#job-hunting #careers #weak-ties #networking #neural networks