How to Use Your Online MBA Network to Get Your Next Job

You've done everything right for the past year. You've been active in your online classes, led discussions in breakout rooms, and sent personalised LinkedIn requests to people. You've made study groups that have become lifelines, and you've even had a few "virtual coffees" with classmates who work in fields that interest you. Your network is more than just a list of names; it's a real web of professional connections.

That's great. But now the big question is what to do with it.

It takes a different set of skills to not only build a network but also to use it to reach your career goals. A lot of professionals don't like this part. It can seem like you're just using your new connections for your own benefit when you suddenly ask them for help with your job search. You don't want people to think you're a "taker."

A lot of people are afraid of this, but it's because they don't understand what professional networking really is. You can't just ask people in your network for favours. You care about this community, and a healthy community is one where people help each other. People in your MBA program expect you to want to do well. They think you should be looking for your next big break. Part of the unspoken agreement of business school is to help each other through career changes.

Your network is your net worth! Learn how to leverage your Online MBA network to land your next job and advance your career.

The most important thing is to have a plan, be polite, and think "give before you get." This guide will show you exactly how to use the strong network you've built to find and get your next great job without feeling like you're just using people.

Step 1: The "Soft Launch"—Letting People Know What You Want

You shouldn't start your job search by sending a lot of messages asking, "Do you know of any open positions?" That's too sudden. You should start by subtly letting your network know what you're interested in and what you want to do with your career.

Make your LinkedIn profile better

Your LinkedIn profile is like your own personal website. It should show what you want to do in the future, not just what you've done in the past. Put your MBA candidate status and the industry you want to work in in your headline. Instead of saying "Project Manager at XYZ Company," say "Project Manager | Online MBA Candidate | Aspiring for Product Management Roles in the Tech Sector." This lets anyone who looks at your profile know right away what you're working towards.

Share Content That Matters

Begin sharing news, studies, and articles that are related to the industry you want to work in. Don't just share a link; write a comment of your own in two sentences. For example, if you share an article about a new trend in fintech, you could say something like, "It's interesting to see how AI is changing how we look at risk." This fits with a lot of what we talked about in our "Financial Technologies" class. This does two things: it shows that you are a knowledgeable and interested professional in that field, and it lets your network know that you are interested.

Interact with Their Content

Your teachers and classmates are also sharing things. Comment on, like, and share their posts. But don't just say "Great post!" Leave a thoughtful comment that adds to what they said or asks a smart question. This keeps you visible and strengthens your connection without asking for anything in return.

Step 2: Your Secret Weapon: The Informational Interview

The informational interview is the most powerful and least used tool for changing careers. This is NOT a job interview. It's a low-pressure 20-minute conversation in which you ask for advice.

Who to Talk to

Look through your network for people who work in the field or role you want to be in. It could be a classmate from a different cohort or an alumnus you found through the university's network.

How to Ask

The way you ask for something is very important.

"Can you help me get a job at your company?" is not a good thing to say.

Say "Hi Anjali," I hope you're doing well. I really liked what you said in our strategy class, and I've been keeping up with your career on LinkedIn. I'm thinking about switching to the renewable energy sector myself, and I would be very grateful for the chance to ask you a few questions about your experience. "Would you be willing to talk for 20 minutes sometime in the next few weeks just to get some advice?"

What to Ask

Make a list of your questions ahead of time. Keep in mind that you are not looking for work. You want to know something.

"What does a normal day at work look like for you?"

"What are the biggest problems your industry is having right now?"

"What skills do you think are most important for someone who wants to do well in this field?"

"What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into this field now that you look back?"

At the very end of the conversation, and only if it feels right, you can ask, "Is there anyone else you think it would be helpful for me to talk to based on what we talked about?" This is how you meet new people and grow your network even more.

Step 3: Getting Your Network to Work for You on Certain Opportunities

You can use your network more directly once you start finding job postings that interest you.

Find Inside Connections

Before you click "Apply" on a job site, look up the company on LinkedIn and narrow your search to your school. Do you know anyone who goes to school with you or used to go to school with you who works there? A second-degree connection is also useful.

Don't Ask for a Job; Ask for a Referral

It's hard to get in touch with someone inside. Your framing is again very important.

Don't say, "Can you help me get an interview for this job?"

You should say, "Hi Sameer, I hope you're having a good week." I saw that your company is hiring for a "Senior Analyst" position that would be a great fit for my background and goals after getting my MBA. I was wondering if you could send my resume to the hiring manager or give me an internal referral. For your reference, I've attached my resume and the job description. If you're not comfortable, that's fine. I just thought it was worth asking. Thanks anyway!

This way of doing things shows respect for their position. It gives them an easy way to say no if they don't want to, but it also makes it easy for them to help you if they want to. A resume that comes from an internal referral is much more likely to be seen by a real person than one that is sent through a generic online portal.

Always Close the Circle

This is the last, most important step that most people forget. You have to follow up with someone who helps you, whether it's through an informational interview, a referral, or just some good advice. Write them a note to say thank you. And most importantly, let them know how you're doing. Tell them if you got an interview. Tell them if you got the job. People want to know that what they did helped.

One of the best things you can do for your career is build a network of people who have an online MBA. It's a real ecosystem of professional help that keeps going. You can turn those connections in the classroom into the job of your dreams if you treat them with respect, strategy, and a spirit of giving.