- I didn't get my first tech job from applications. - I didn't wait for recruiters to find me. - I've never relied on "spray and pray" job hunting. - I didn't think networking was "too salesy" or "fake." We've been taught the "submit and wait" approach for so long. Apply Online → Wait for Response → Hope Someone Notices → Get GHOSTED It's the "safe" approach, yes. But does it actually work? Rarely. Here's what changed everything for me: ✓ I attended the AfroTech Conference and talked to dozens of companies face-to-face ✓ I collected contact info from every meaningful conversation ✓ I followed up AFTER applying to each role (this is where most people fail) ✓ I got 10+ interviews from that single event The result? My first tech offer. Networking isn't about what people can do for you. It's about what value you can bring to them. Stop hiding behind applications. Start having real conversations with real people. What's the best networking event you've attended? Drop it below! 👇

Stop wasting hours cold applying to tech jobs. Real traction comes from making connections at the right events. If landing a tech job by 2026 is the goal, virtual career fairs and conferences are the place to be. Here are the top US virtual tech networking events and conferences for Fall 2025, along with direct signup links for each event: MIT Virtual Fall Career Fair (October 17, 2025) — Free Registration page: https://capd.mit.edu/fcf-virtual/ This premier event connects students and professionals with leading tech employers like Google, Amazon, Apple, IBM, Raytheon, and more through scheduled virtual chats, group sessions, and resume drops. Women in Tech Job Fair & Career Summit (October 16, 2025) — Free Registration page: https://www.womentech.net/career-jobs/events/women-in-tech-job-fair-career-summit A high-impact event offering live networking, workshops, and recruiter access, with recent years attended by representatives from Microsoft, Google, Oracle, Salesforce, SAP, and US-based startups.womentech WiCyS Fall Virtual Career Fair (September 24, 2025) — Free for Members Registration page: https://www.wicys.org/event/wicys-fall-virtual-career-fair-2025/2025-09-24/1/ A networking event geared toward women in cybersecurity, featuring companies such as Deloitte, AWS, Northrop Grumman, Cisco, and CrowdStrike.wicys New York Virtual Job Fair (September 25, 2025) — Free Registration page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-york-job-fair-september-25-2025-new-york-career-fairs-tickets-1041523634227 Features opportunities to network with recruiters from Meta, Wayfair, Capital One, Accenture, and tech startups.eventbrite TechTalk Summits: Thought Leadership Thursday – September (September 25, 2025) — Free

I used to get really nervous before interviews, often frantically researching common questions and struggling to articulate my project experience clearly under pressure. My responses were never concise or consistent. I would have a different response for the same question every single time I interviewed. I was never able to learn from my mistakes because my responses were always different. Everything changed when I finally decided to practice my responses for the most common interview questions. Call it somewhat of a systematic interview preparation process. The most important part of the process was that it helped me build confidence through structured practice. If I were struggling with this problem today, here are some AI-powered practice systems that can identify your weak spots and help you craft compelling responses. Same technical skills, but dramatically improved interview performance. Interview Prep Tools That Ended My Interview Anxiety: Pramp (pramp.com) - Free peer-to-peer mock interviews with real-time feedback and scheduling automation for consistent practice. InterviewBuddy (interviewbuddy.in) - On-demand mock interviews with industry professionals, automated scheduling, and detailed performance analytics. LeetCode (leetcode.com) Premium - Automated practice problems, progress tracking, and interview simulation for technical roles. Big Interview (biginterview.com) - AI-powered interview practice with automated feedback on your answers, body language, and speaking pace. Notion Interview Templates - Build automated databases of your project examples, STAR method stories, and company research with easy filtering. Loom (loom.com) - Practice your elevator pitch and common answers, then use AI transcription to identify filler words and improvement areas. Calendly (calendly.com) + Typeform (typeform.com) - Automate interview scheduling and pre-interview research collection to show up fully prepared.

You're manually filling out the same information 500 times while automated candidates apply to more relevant jobs in less time with better results. Instead of competing on application volume through brute force, you can compete on strategic targeting and perfect timing. Same qualifications, systematically optimized approach. Manual applications are the slowest path to employment. Here are some of the best websites to automate your job hunt today: Simplify Jobs (simplifyjobs.com) - One-click applications across multiple job boards with automatic form filling and resume optimization for each role. LazyApply (lazyapply.com) - AI-powered job matching and bulk applications with smart filtering to avoid irrelevant positions. Sonara (sonara.ai) - AI job search copilot that finds relevant positions and handles the entire application process automatically. WonsultingAI (wonsulting.ai) - Automated resume optimization, cover letter generation, and application tracking specifically for tech roles. Jobscan (jobscan.co) - ATS optimization that automatically tailors your resume keywords to match specific job descriptions for higher match rates. Workable Apply - One-profile system that auto-fills applications across hundreds of company career pages without repeated data entry. ApplyPass (applypass.com) - Done-for-you job applications with human review and personalized outreach to hiring managers. DM the word "skool" if you are looking for more help in your job hunt.

Most people hate being sold to, but everyone loves being asked for advice. You're approaching networking backward. You're asking for jobs instead of asking for insights. You're requesting favors instead of requesting wisdom. No wonder your LinkedIn messages get ignored. Informational interviews flip the script. Instead of "Are you hiring?" try "What skills are most important for someone entering your field?" Instead of "Can you refer me?" ask "What do you wish you'd known when you were starting out?" The magic happens because you're making them the expert, not the gatekeeper. People love sharing their knowledge and experience. They remember conversations where they felt helpful and valued. Here's the framework: -Research their background and current role -Ask specific questions about their experience -Listen more than you talk -Take notes and ask follow up questions -Thank them and share how you applied their advice Sample message: "Hi [Name], I noticed you transitioned from [previous field] to software development at [company]. As someone making a similar transition, I'd love to hear about your experience. Would you have 15 minutes for a brief call to share what helped you succeed in that transition?" Most professionals will say yes. They remember getting help when they were starting out, and they want to pay it forward. The person who gives you career advice today might think of you when opportunities arise tomorrow.