Most professionals approach networking the wrong way — reaching out only when they need something, treating connections as transactions, and wondering why their efforts rarely lead anywhere. This session flips the script by pulling back the curtain on how recruiters and hiring managers actually think about, build, and activate their networks.

In this 50-minute session, you’ll get a rare inside look at the recruiting process from the people who drive it. Whether delivered as a guided presentation or panel discussion with experienced talent professionals, the conversation will challenge common assumptions about what networking is for and replace them with a more effective — and far less anxiety-inducing — approach.

You’ll walk away understanding why the person who gets the call is rarely the most qualified on paper, but almost always the one who stayed visible, added value, and played the long game. We’ll explore what makes someone genuinely referable in a recruiter’s eyes, how to show up on LinkedIn in ways that actually get noticed, and how to have networking conversations that feel natural rather than transactional.

Whether you’re actively job searching or simply want to invest in your career for the long haul, this session will give you practical language, mental frameworks, and a clearer understanding of the relationship-building behaviors that keep you top of mind when the right opportunity comes along.

Key Takeaways: Attendees will leave with a recruiter-informed perspective on what it means to network well — including what makes someone referable, how to approach outreach with confidence, and which LinkedIn habits help versus hurt your visibility with the people who matter most.