Supply Chain Saturday

I was coaching someone recently who was doing everything right. Strong resume, solid internship, certifications, real experience. He was also doing something a lot of people do when reaching out on LinkedIn. His messages were professional, well-written, and focused on his background and what he was looking for.

The only issue? The messages were about him. And most people on the receiving end of those messages don't have a reason to respond.

So we made one small shift. Instead of leading with his background and what he needed, he started leading with curiosity about the other person. Something like: "Hey, I noticed you've been leading a logistics team for the last 10 years. I just started an internship in logistics and I'd love to learn more about what you're doing at your company."

I got my first supply chain role because I walked up to a booth at a career fair at Kansas State and started a conversation with Amazon. I didn't have supply chain experience. I didn't have a plan. I just showed up and was genuinely curious. That one conversation changed my entire career.

I had another conversation recently with someone who was applying everywhere and not getting traction. I asked if he'd ever talked to the vendors he already works with. The people who deliver to his location every week. He hadn't thought of it. But those vendors work in supply chain. They work with dozens of companies. They know who's hiring. And he already had the relationship. Sometimes the network is already around you. You just haven't activated it yet.

Here's what I'd encourage you to do this week.

The job market right now is tough. A strong resume is not enough. I've seen it over and over. The people who land roles are not always the most qualified. They're the ones who built a relationship before they needed one.

So whether it's a LinkedIn message, a conversation with a vendor, a career fair, or a virtual coffee with someone you admire, take one step this week. Come from a place of curiosity, not a place of asking. People want to help. You just have to give them an excuse to.

And if you're still in school, this matters even more. You have access to career fairs, alumni networks, professors, and career services right now. A lot of those resources disappear the day you graduate. Use them while you can.

Until next Saturday,
– Mark