Search Strategy of Successful Silicon Valley Technologist

I like the system Haseeb Qureshi, an English major and former professional poker player, crafted to get offers from Google, Uber, Yelp, and Airbnb (where he ultimately joined). He understands what tech/Bay Area networking is all about. Some key points from his post on job hunting:

1. Know it’s a numbers game. This analysis is spot on: you need a funnel of referrals to get to an interview. You need multiple interviews to land a job, and then multiple offers give you leverage. So meet as many people as possible.
2. Every time you meet people in tech (or law), ask to meet them over coffee to learn more about them. Always buy. You can also cold email or message people online. (If you do this, my two cents is you should emphasize common ground and offer the person something, even if it’s simply a compliment!)
3. At the meeting, don’t make the conversation about yourself but about them. Learn how they got to where they are, what they do, and more about their company, industry or technology. Do NOT ask for a job. People don’t like being put on the spot. If you connect, they will refer you to other people/opportunities unbidden.
4. Repeat this cycle of buying coffee, asking questions, and increasing leads.