Strategic Networking for Accomplished Women: Stop Seeking Jobs. Start Offering Solutions.

When seeking a new role, most accomplished women consult online job boards first.  Understandable – that’s what LinkedIn and Indeed are for, right? But here's the problem with that approach: According to research, 80% of jobs are never posted online. Instead, they are filled by people who hiring managers and recruiters know, like, and trust to get the job done.  Or, those roles are offered to professionals within their contacts’ networks.

For that reason, networking is essential for career advancement.  It’s the #1 way to access hidden opportunities.

But my work as a Leadership & Career Strategist for Women revealed that networking ranks as one of the most challenging aspects of professional development - and I understand why:

• Many networking interactions feel phony and transactional

• It often feels like asking for favors from people you barely know

• You're unsure how to start conversations without sounding needy

These challenges are real – if you approach networking from a position of need rather than value.  But what if you took a different approach, one that is strategic, authentic, and gets results – helping my clients gain 242% increase in networking confidence?

The Fundamental Shift

In networking interactions, most accomplished women lead with what they're looking for.  Instead, start with what problems you solve.

Read that again.

I'm not talking about problem solving as a skill.  Rather, conveying how YOU are a solution to specific organizational problems.

Every job exists because an organization has a problem. Marketing and fundraising roles exist because organizations need revenue. Operations roles exist because businesses need efficiency. Finance roles exist because companies need to manage funds and sustain long-term growth.

But when you start with "I'm looking for a marketing role" or "I have strong leadership experience," you're positioning yourself as a job seeker, not as the solution to their problems.

So, in your next networking conversation, make these shifts:

• Instead of "I'm looking for..." say "I solve..."

• Instead of "My experience includes..." share "I deliver results like..."

• Instead of "I'm interested in..." convey "I specialize in..."

Just one change can transform networking from awkward “this is what I want” to strategically expressing “this is what I offer.” 

Ready to learn how?  Here’s 3 steps to improve your approach.

Step 1. Identify What Problems You Solve

You are not a job title.  You are uniquely qualified to help organizations solve certain problems.

Ask yourself:

• What specific business problems do I solve?

• What results do I consistently deliver?

• What challenges do organizations face that I can address?

This identity shift transforms "I'm a marketing manager," to "I help companies increase qualified leads and revenue."

Step 2. Research Which Organizations Have Those Problems

Now that you know what problems you solve, identify which types of organizations actually have those problems.

This isn't about finding any company - it's about finding companies that need exactly what you offer. Research their challenges, recent initiatives, and pain points. Look at their leadership, recent news, and industry trends.

By understanding their specific situation, you can convey how your solution contributes to their goals.

Step 3. Lead With Value

To transform your networking conversations from awkward to strategic, don’t ask for help.  Instead, offer insights by starting with:

• "I noticed your company is expanding into new markets. I've helped similar organizations navigate that transition by..."

• "I saw the article about your operational challenges. I've addressed similar issues by..."

• "Given the changes in your industry, I imagine talent retention is a priority. I've helped leadership teams improve retention by..."

Notice the difference? You're leading with understanding of their situation and offering relevant value, not asking for a job.

The Result

When you position yourself as a solution to specific problems, networking becomes a two-way conversation rather than uncomfortable asking.

People are drawn to the person who offered valuable insights, not the person who needed something. You build relationships based on mutual value rather than one-sided requests.

Most importantly, you network with confidence because you know you have something valuable to offer.

Over time, the right opportunities will recognize your value and want to explore how you can help them solve their challenges.

Ready to Network Strategically?

To advance your career beyond traditional job boards, and start building relationships that actually advance your career, begin with these three steps.

Let’s keep growing! 🌱

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About the Author

Dr. Erica Walls is a Women's Leadership & Career Strategist who helps professional women over 40 achieve authentic success—alignment between who you are, the work you do, and how you show up. Ready to advance your career? Explore coaching programs | Book a consultation | Connect on LinkedIn