Networking with "competitors"

I used to network a lot during my years at university. I'm currently in my first professional year and I was wondering if I could still reach some guys on Linkedin to talk and learn more about their experiences. I work in a very specific asset (don't pay attention to my username title here) where the world is small. I'm afraid that people in my company will find out and think I want to leave.

Any insights? 

8 Comments
 

My advice would be to network without the intention to leave. Just build connections. As that relationship matures you can just put it out there in a non serious way and if they get the hint which they will they might offer. If they dont you can always brush it off as a joke. ;)

But you need to give it time so that the relationship reaches a level where you can make such off hand comments.

I know guys who've secured a move from one company to another in that way.

 
Most Helpful

It can be done very naturally by being a point of contact at work without doing the cold hit up through linkedin. If I trade with another dude he’s gonna make a decision of whether or not I am sharp through conversations and trades we make together. Delta decay above is right that it isn’t something where you can ask for a referral after one conversation, the relationship takes time to grow before you bring up looking for a new position. I know when I was looking to leave my first job out of school where I was trading a niche commodity I had a couple offers essentially in hand from counterparts who when I mentioned offhand I was looking for a new position they were pretty quick to make an offer because they had been dealing with me and thought I had some potential.

 

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