#22 If your network can't place you, they can't help you

A lot of people tell me they’re networking.

They’re having coffees.

Catching up with former colleagues.

Putting themselves out there.

And still - nothing really moves.

Here’s one thing worth checking:

Does your network know what to think of you for?

The confusion here isn't necessarily because you don't know what you want next.

Nor is it because you lack experience.

But because there's this tendency to hedge - and talk about everything you’ve done instead of the role or outcome you want next.

When someone can’t place you quickly, they don’t know how to help.

And that’s where your "doing the right things" quickly stalls.

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How this shows up in practice

Take someone who says:

“I’ve worked across strategy, operations, GTM, and product marketing.”

All true. All great.

But if what they actually want next is an Operations Lead role (or Head of PMO, or a Chief of Staff role), leading with range makes the handoff harder.

The listener is left thinking:

“Okay… but what should I think of you as?”

That moment of hesitation is often enough to stop a referral from happening.

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What “personal brand” actually means in practice

It’s not a tagline.

It’s not your full background.

It’s a few lines someone can use to accurately introduce you when you’re not in the room.

If they need a paragraph, your networking will stay polite - but ineffective.

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One simple check to run this week

Ask yourself:

If someone were introducing me tomorrow, what would they lead with?

If the answer is long, hedged, or starts with“They’ve done a bit of everything…”

that’s your signal.

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What to do instead

• Lead with the role or outcome you want

• Let your range sit underneath as proof

• Stop expanding to sound impressive

People don’t need the full picture up front.They need to know where to place you.

Make it easier for your network to help you

Write a 2–3 sentence blurb someone could forward without editing.

Not your life story.

Not your full background.

Just enough that someone could confidently say:​“You should talk to this person.”

A simple structure:

• Sentence 1: who you are AKA the role you’re targeting

• Sentence 2: what you’re known for or the outcome you deliver

• Optional sentence 3: the kind of role or environment you’re looking for

If it feels obvious to you, it’s probably right.

That’s it.

Just making yourself easier to place.

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P.S. If this resonated and you’re thinking, I think this could be clearer - particularly on LinkedIn, my Recruiter Magnet LinkedIn Profile workshop on Jan 28 is designed to fix that. Register here. ​

P.P.S If you know your next move and are ready to start making traction - my next cohort starts in February. Check out details here.