July Newsletter | Swapping Business Cards Over BBQ: Why Summer’s Slow Conversations Lead to Surprising Career Wins
There’s something magical about summer networking. Not because it’s flashy or strategic, but because it’s human. The best connections aren’t always forged in formal settings. They start with curiosity, not credentials, and they grow stronger over grilled corn, not cold LinkedIn outreach.
The Myth of the “Always-On” Job Search
We’ve been sold the idea that summer is a lull for job hunting. I disagree. Summer is a prime time to build momentum by slowing down, shifting your approach, and fostering relationships. It’s not about sending 100 resumes. It’s about having three memorable conversations.
While it’s smart to seek out valuable contacts at social events, it’s rarely a good idea to force a business conversation on the spot. Focus instead on making an agenda-free connection with people who might become an effective bridge next week or next month. Genuine human-to-human connection is where the career magic happens.
Trade the Pitch for a Prompt
Don’t fixate on delivering an elevator pitch to everyone on the pickleball court. Instead, lead with curiosity and get people talking about things that might connect you to them. Avoid pressuring yourself to “tie your pitch” in the moment. This can make the other person feel manipulated. You’ll have better conversations if you revisit business topics during the week, once you’ve had time to reflect.
At a strictly social event, try these:
“How do you know the host or organizer?”
“What brought you here today?”
“Have you been to this kind of event before?”
“Is this your first time here?”
At a professional event, consider:
“What kind of work keeps you busy these days?”
“What’s something about your job that most people misunderstand?”
“Are you working on anything exciting right now?”
“How did you get into your field?”
No one at the picnic or networking event wants to hear about your job search or your lousy boss. Great questions spark real talk and help you stand out.
Curiosity vs. Self-Promotion
Don’t network to be impressive. Network to be interesting.
Asking thoughtful questions doesn’t just build rapport. It builds trust. The most effective job seekers aren’t the loudest in the room. They’re the ones who leave others feeling heard.
Try reframing your language like this:
Instead of “This is the kind of job I’m looking for,” say “What drew you into your current role?”
Instead of “I launched Y product,” ask “What trends are shaping your team’s hiring?”
Instead of “Who do you know at Company X?” consider “Who makes a good networking partner for you?”
Years ago, I was a member of a Business Network International (BNI) chapter. What stuck with me most was the principle that Givers Gain. Showing genuine interest isn’t just great professional advice. It works beautifully in social settings too.
Cookout Career Strategy
To sum up, here are Job Guy’s Five Tips for Networking This Summer:
Bring curiosity, not a resume.
Ask and listen. You’ll get better info and stronger contacts.
Follow up with a LinkedIn invite and a quick note tied to your conversation.
Connect new contacts to each other. Giving is far superior to taking when it comes to relationships.
Treat every casual encounter as a future opportunity. Even if someone isn’t hiring, they may know someone who is.
Remember, people hire and refer those they know, like, and trust. Casual environments help build all three.
A Favorite LinkedIn Testimonial
Chris was planning a transition from corporate vice president and general counsel into forming a private solo practice doing business law. He needed to find ways to establish a feeder system of fellow professionals to build his pipeline and broaden his network of aligned service providers.
It is well known that 75% to 80% of successful job searches are based on job seekers networking well. Chris knew that the percentages would be even more skewed when it came to finding clients. Building and leveraging a professional network was the focus of our work together.
“I recently hired John to assist me in developing my personal brand and launching a new marketing and networking campaign for my solo law practice. I began with a fairly good grasp of the fundamentals I needed to support my goals. John's efforts, however, advanced my work well beyond the basics with a comprehensive and insightful knowledge of developing personal brands and marketing/networking strategies. He produced impressive results, ranging from polishing my ideas and approach to yielding all new ideas. I was thoroughly impressed with his knowledge base and very pleased with the results. I'm very comfortable recommending John to anyone, whether young or experienced, in need of career coaching, development of his/her personal brand, networking, etc.”
Job Guy’s Search Tip of the Month
You Never Know Who Will Connect You to an Opportunity
Mass emailing contacts won’t get you hired. Building rapport will. Don’t be that person who trains friends and family to associate your invitations with sales pitches and pleas for help.
Instead of banging out resumes in your basement all summer, seek out opportunities to meet new people and reconnect with familiar faces. Cookouts, sporting events, community initiatives, and open houses hosted by professional groups are all great ways to stay top of mind with those who might connect you to opportunity.
Summer networking is like BBQ marinade. It takes time to soak in, but the flavor payoff is worth it.
Until next time, keep your sunscreen handy, your mind curious, and your connections warm.
For more on summer job search tips check out Job Guy’s June blog post.
