Top 15 'Ally-Finding' Networking Tips to Pursue for Career Growth Beyond Your Job Title - Goh Ling Yong
Let’s be honest, the word "networking" can make even the most outgoing person cringe. It conjures images of stuffy rooms, forced small talk, and a frantic exchange of business cards that end up in a forgotten desk drawer. We've been told it's the key to success, but the traditional approach often feels transactional, awkward, and, frankly, a bit soulless. What if we reframed the entire concept?
Instead of collecting contacts, what if we focused on finding allies? An ally is more than a connection on LinkedIn. They are the people who will champion your work when you’re not in the room, offer candid advice when you face a tough decision, and share opportunities you might have missed. They are the bedrock of a resilient, fulfilling career. This isn't about climbing a ladder; it's about building a web of mutual support that lifts everyone up.
This shift in mindset—from networking to ally-finding—is the single most powerful change you can make for your long-term career growth. It’s about playing the long game, focusing on genuine human connection, and building a professional ecosystem that supports you far beyond your current job title. Ready to ditch the awkward handshakes and start building something real? Here are 15 actionable tips to help you find your professional allies.
1. Shift from “Networking” to “Relationship-Building”
The first and most crucial step is a mental one. Stop thinking about what you can get and start thinking about what you can give. True allies are built on a foundation of mutual trust and respect, not on a one-sided transaction. Approach every interaction with genuine curiosity and a desire to understand the other person.
When you meet someone new, your goal isn't to pitch yourself; it's to learn their story. What are they passionate about? What challenges are they facing? How might your skills, knowledge, or connections be of service to them? This generosity-first approach not only feels better, but it's also far more effective. People are naturally drawn to those who are helpful and authentic.
- Pro-Tip: Before asking for anything, find a way to add value. Share a relevant article, offer a thoughtful introduction to someone in your network, or provide positive feedback on a project they've shared. This deposits goodwill into the "relational bank account" long before you ever need to make a withdrawal.
2. Define Your "Why" and Identify Your Gaps
You wouldn’t set out on a road trip without a destination. Similarly, you shouldn't start building relationships without knowing what you're looking for. Take some time for self-reflection. Where are you in your career, and where do you want to go in the next five years? What skills, knowledge, or perspectives are you missing?
Your goal is to build a diverse "personal board of directors." You don't need ten people just like you. Instead, seek out allies who fill your gaps. You might need a mentor who is two levels above you, a peer in a different department to understand the business better, an expert in a new technology you want to learn, and a creative thinker from a completely different industry to challenge your assumptions.
- Example: If you're a software engineer aiming for a product management role, your "ally map" might include: a senior product manager (mentor), a UX designer (cross-functional collaborator), and a marketing specialist (to understand go-to-market strategy).
3. Audit and Activate Your Existing Network First
Ally-finding doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. You likely already have a network of dormant connections—former colleagues, university classmates, or people you met briefly at a conference. These "weak ties" are incredibly valuable because they often have access to completely different information and social circles than your immediate colleagues.
Spend an afternoon scrolling through your LinkedIn connections, old emails, or phone contacts. Identify a few people you haven't spoken to in over a year but with whom you had a good rapport. Reach out with a low-pressure, genuine message. It’s far easier to rekindle an old connection than to forge a brand new one from cold.
- Example Message: "Hi [Name], it's been a while! I was just thinking about our work on the [Project Name] project and remembered how much I enjoyed collaborating with you. I'd love to catch up for a quick 15-minute virtual coffee and hear what you've been up to. Hope you're doing well!"
4. Master the Art of the Cross-Functional Coffee Chat
Inside your own company is a goldmine of potential allies. These are the people who can help you navigate internal politics, understand different business units, and get things done. The easiest way to meet them is through the humble coffee chat (virtual or in-person). The key is to be strategic and respectful of their time.
Identify people in roles or departments that interest you. Send a concise and clear invitation explaining why you want to speak with them specifically. Prepare a few thoughtful questions in advance, but let the conversation flow naturally. Your goal is to learn, not to interview them. Always end the chat by asking, "Is there anyone else you think I should talk to?" This question is a powerful way to expand your internal network exponentially.
- Pro-Tip: Frame your request around their expertise. Instead of "Can I pick your brain?" try "I was so impressed by the recent launch from the marketing team, and I'd love to learn more about your approach to [specific strategy]. Would you have 20 minutes to share some insights?"
5. Volunteer for a High-Visibility Project
One of the best ways to showcase your skills and work ethic to a broader audience is by volunteering for a cross-functional, high-visibility project. This could be a new product launch, a process improvement initiative, or an internal company event. These projects force you to collaborate with people from different teams and often provide exposure to senior leadership.
By stepping up, you demonstrate that you're a team player who is invested in the company's success, not just your own team's silo. The relationships you build under the pressure of a shared goal are often some of the strongest. You're not just a name in an org chart anymore; you're the reliable person from Finance who helped the engineering team build a solid business case. That's how allies are made.
6. Join an Employee Resource Group (ERG)
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) or special interest clubs are fantastic, often-underutilized resources for building allies. Whether it's a Women in Tech group, a Pride network, a sustainability committee, or a running club, these groups bring together people from all levels and departments based on a shared identity or passion.
Participating in an ERG allows you to connect with colleagues on a more personal level, outside the formal constraints of your job title. You might find yourself organizing an event with a Vice President or brainstorming ideas with someone from a department you've never interacted with. These informal settings are perfect for building genuine rapport that translates into powerful professional alliances.
7. Attend Niche Industry Events, Not Just Mega-Conferences
Massive industry conferences can be overwhelming and make it difficult to have meaningful conversations. While they have their place, your ally-finding efforts will be far more effective at smaller, niche events. Think local meetups, specialized workshops, or single-track conferences focused on a specific sub-field.
In these more intimate settings, you're not just a face in a crowd of 10,000. It's easier to strike up conversations, ask deeper questions, and find your "tribe"—the people who are just as passionate about the same specific topics as you are. You're more likely to run into the same people multiple times, allowing you to build a real connection over a day or two.
8. Leverage LinkedIn With a Human Touch
Sending a blank connection request is the modern-day equivalent of throwing your business card at someone and walking away. To make a real impression, you must personalize your approach. Never, ever use the default "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn."
Before you click "connect," do 30 seconds of research. Did they just post an interesting article? Did you attend the same webinar? Do you have a mutual connection you both respect? Mention this specific point in your connection request. This shows you've done your homework and have a genuine reason for wanting to connect beyond simply boosting your numbers.
- Good Template: "Hi [Name], I really enjoyed your recent post on the future of AI in marketing. Your point about [specific point] was particularly insightful. I'm also passionate about this space and would love to connect and follow your work."
9. Join a Professional Association (and Actually Participate)
Joining a professional association in your field is a great step, but simply paying the membership fee isn't enough. The real value comes from active participation. This is where you move from a passive observer to a recognized contributor and find your most dedicated industry allies.
Volunteer to be on a committee, help organize a local chapter event, or offer to be a panelist or speaker. When you work alongside other members toward a common goal, you build trust and camaraderie. People will get to know your skills, your reliability, and your passion for the industry. Soon, you'll be the person they think of when a new opportunity arises.
10. Become a "Super-Connector"
One of the most valuable things you can do in any network is to become a "super-connector." This means you actively listen for opportunities to connect two people who could benefit from knowing each other. It’s the ultimate "give first" move and positions you as a central, indispensable node in your network.
Did your colleague mention they're struggling with a data analytics problem? Introduce them to that data scientist you met at a meetup. Did a contact mention they're hiring for a role that sounds perfect for a former teammate? Make the introduction (after asking both parties for permission, of course). When you help others forge valuable connections, you build immense trust and goodwill that will come back to you tenfold.
11. Create Your Own "Personal Board of Directors"
As you build these relationships, think about formalizing a small, core group of trusted advisors. This isn't an official committee, but rather a handful of people (3-5 is ideal) whose opinions you deeply respect and can turn to for candid advice on your biggest career challenges.
This "board" should be diverse. It might include a mentor from your industry, a former boss who knows your strengths, a peer from a different field who thinks differently, and maybe a younger "reverse mentor" who can keep you up-to-date on new trends. When facing a major decision, you can reach out to them for their unique perspective. It’s like having your own personal brain trust.
12. Practice "Weak Tie" Maintenance
Strong relationships require maintenance. You don't need to have a deep conversation every week, but you should have a system for staying top-of-mind with your most important contacts. This is especially true for "weak ties"—those valuable contacts you don't work with daily.
Set reminders in your calendar to check in with key people every 3-6 months. The check-in can be simple. Forward them an article you think they'd find interesting with a short note like, "Saw this and thought of our conversation about [topic]." Congratulate them on a work anniversary or a new job on LinkedIn. These small, consistent touchpoints keep the connection warm and show that you're thinking of them, making it much easier to reach out when you do need something.
13. Ask for Information, Not a Job
When you're exploring new opportunities, a common mistake is to directly ask a contact for a job. This puts them in an awkward position and can feel overly transactional. A much more effective approach is to ask for advice or information. People love to share their expertise, and it’s a much lower-pressure "ask."
Instead of "Do you have any job openings?" try "I'm exploring a career transition into [new field] and I know you're an expert. I'd be grateful for 15 minutes of your time to hear about your journey and any advice you might have for someone starting out." This approach often leads to job referrals organically because you've allowed them to help you in a comfortable, collaborative way.
14. Document and Follow Up Religiously
Our brains can only hold so much information. After a coffee chat or a conference, it's easy to forget the important details. Get into the habit of taking notes. What did you talk about? Did they mention their kids, a passion project, or a specific professional challenge? Note it down in a simple system—a spreadsheet, a notes app, or a personal CRM.
This habit is a superpower for follow-up. When you send your thank-you note, you can reference a specific detail from your conversation, making it much more personal and memorable. If you promised to send an article or make an introduction, do it promptly. Following through on small promises is how you build a reputation for being reliable and trustworthy.
15. Share Your Own Expertise Generously
The final step in ally-finding is to make yourself findable. Don't wait for people to discover you. Actively share your knowledge and expertise with the world. This positions you as a valuable resource and attracts like-minded people to you. As a mentor of mine, Goh Ling Yong, often says, creating value for others is the most sustainable way to build your own career capital.
You don't have to be a world-renowned expert to do this. Share a summary of a great book you read on LinkedIn. Write a blog post about how you solved a tricky problem at work. Offer to give a "lunch and learn" presentation to your team. When you generously share what you know, you're not just building a personal brand; you're sending up a flare that helps your future allies find you.
Building a network of true allies is not a short-term hack; it's a long-term strategy for a more resilient and rewarding career. It requires a shift from a "me-first" to a "we-first" mentality, grounded in generosity, curiosity, and genuine connection. Each coffee chat, helpful introduction, and shared piece of advice is a thread in the strong, supportive safety net you're weaving for your future.
So, let's make a commitment. Ditch the old, transactional idea of "networking" and embrace the more meaningful path of ally-finding.
What's one step you will take this week to find or strengthen a connection with a potential ally? Share your plan in the comments below—let's hold each other accountable!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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