Conversations that Open Doors: Networking with Bill Fitzgerald
On October 29, 2025, FitzDrake Search’s CEO, Bill Fitzgerald returned to Pivot with Purpose to give another presentation: this time, on the importance of effective networking. Laura Sheehan (Georgetown SFS) moderated the event.
In this interactive session, Fitzgerald offered his perspective on how to best leverage networking to open doors to your next role or successful career pivot.
From the outset, Fitzgerald emphasized the vital role networking plays in finding new opportunities. As he stated during his opening remarks: “The key to finding your next job is all about relationships.” Without someone to vouch for your skills and background, it is incredibly difficult to get your foot in the door.
As part of his presentation, Fitzgerald also 6/7 tips to remember when networking in order to leverage the strength(s) of your strong and weak ties effectively.
- Stop thinking about networking as means to a new job; view it as a relationship-building exercise instead.
For Fitzgerald, thinking purely in terms of job opportunities and favors makes any networking activity “cold” or “transactional.” While employment is certainly a long-term goal for us all, recruiters and potential colleagues are far more receptive to nurturing or collegial conversations than straight asks. Furthermore, if others view us in more favorable light, they are more likely to recommend us for new opportunities!
- Get organized! Keep in touch with your closest contacts and harness the power of these “strong ties” to your advantage.
According to Fitzgerald, “not all professional relationships are created equal.” Though we may have hundreds of “connections” on LinkedIn, there are a relative few who have our back under any and all circumstances (and have the ability to create opportunities for us). Fitzgerald recommends beginning any sustained networking activities by reaching out to “these vital few.”
- Never begin the conversation by asking for a job.
No doubt, we are all feeling heightened pressure to find the next opportunity, be it for financial or personal reasons. That said, Fitzgerald warned against opening with such an ask. Not only is the likelihood that your contact has a specific job for which you are a perfect fit slim, but (similar to the first point) it may also strain your relationship, undermining any future efforts to work closely with that individual. In other words, if you make this ask to someone who is unable to help, it effectively ends the conversation.
- Embrace your “loose connections” and “weak ties” across your network.
Once you start networking with your closest contacts, be sure to ask for their own contacts and colleagues. Stated in another way, make sure your conversations do not end after one meeting – encourage an iterative and ongoing discussion! Although your close connections may want to help, it is often others beyond your initial ring of contacts who will be better placed to do so. Moreover, since 70-80% of job opportunities are never posted, it is crucial to network and learn of these opportunities through your weak ties.
- Attending networking events alone is insufficient – it must become a habit.
While it may seem self-evident that relationships don’t simply “happen,” too many of us still treat networking events as singular tasks, rather than a mindset. The most effective networking happens on a daily basis, where you are able to build strong relationships and, as a result, ask for help in an effective and actionable way. Otherwise, we risk foreclosing any opportunity to pursue a new career.
- Come prepared! Ask the right questions and do what you can to extend the conversation.
Whenever we network, we must take it upon ourselves to keep in touch and continue the dialogue. In this vein, Fitzgerald implored attendees to ask the following four questions: (a) Who should I know/Who would be a valuable connection? (b) Do you know any recruiters who you like and respect? (c) Is it alright if check-in again in four or six weeks? (d) Finally, how can I help?
By asking these questions, you leverage your stronger ties to grow your “weak ties,” forge closer relationships with (otherwise busy) recruiters who can then help you land your next role, open the door to future meetings, thereby continuing the conversation, and garner further support goodwill by offering your own skills and time to help them.
- Never lose sight of the main goal: creating a community that will help and support you.
Fitzgerald compared networking to “mustering an army.” Though the metaphor may seem extreme at first, it speaks to a core aspect of effective networking: the ability to call on others to support your job search and vouch for your skills and capabilities. No matter how talented we are or our experience, rarely is a job earned on our background alone.
After his presentation, Fitzgerald participated in a lively Q&A session, addressing a wide array of questions including: Which method of outreach is the best? When should you reach out to new contacts? What is the best follow-up method to keep the conversation going?
In addition, he unveiled a new app for Mac users, “myVital few”, which he co-developed to help job seekers organize all of their contacts and navigate a networking campaign using various guidance, templates, messaging, and strategies. You can upload all of your LinkedIn, phone and other connections. Most important, the app is totally private—there no ads, no solicitations, or unwanted content. Please check-in with the Pivot with Purpose team for more information.
While Fitzgerald acknowledged that networking is a long and challenging process, his passion for it is unquestioned. Although our efforts may not bear fruit immediately, he stressed that it is the most effective tool we have in our arsenal to find new opportunities and to seize them!
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