Network Intentionally to Get Your Next Job, with Cam Yenokida
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Opportunities don’t move through job postings; they move through people. Executive coach Cam Yenokida joins Find Your Dream Job to talk about what intentional networking looks like: why referrals carry so much weight with hiring managers, why you don’t need a perfect connection to get one, and how to build a strategy that keeps you focused without burning you out.
Cam also gets real about the emotional side of a job search: the fatigue, the identity questions, the moments you want to give up. He shares how to follow up in ways that feel genuine, how to know when a conversation was worth your time, and why the best thing you can bring to any networking interaction is a clear sense of your own value.
About Our Guest:
- Cam Yenokida is an executive coach and the founder of Achieve Excellence.
Resources in This Episode:
- Connect with Cam on LinkedIn.
Transcript
Find Your Dream Job, Episode 548:
Network Intentionally to Get Your Next Job, with Cam Yenokida
Airdate: April 22, 2026
Mac Prichard:
This is Find Your Dream Job, the podcast that helps you get hired, have the career you want, and make a difference in life.
I’m your host, Mac Prichard. I’m also the founder of Mac’s List. It’s a job board in the Pacific Northwest that helps you find a fulfilling career.
Every Wednesday, I talk to a different expert about the tools you need to get the work you want.
You need to talk to others when you do a job search.
And to make the most of these conversations, you need a strategy.
Cam Yenokida is here to talk about why you need to network intentionally to get your next job and how to do it well.
He’s an executive coach and the founder of Achieve Excellence.
Cam’s company helps leaders and teams elevate their influence, presence, and performance.
He joins us from Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Let’s jump right into it, Cam. Why do you need to network to get your next job at all? Especially if you have all the required skills.
Cam Yenokida:
Gosh, when I think about networking, I’m reminded of the fact that positions and opportunities don’t move through postings. They move through people.
And nearly every meaningful role, whether it’s an individual position or a leadership and executive role, or even a board seat, moves through relationships and not always a close one. A lot of times it’s that subtle statement of, “Hey, you should talk to so-and-so,” or “I think you’d be a great fit for this.”
And so networking then becomes less about building connections and expanding your contacts, and it’s more about placing yourself in that ecosystem where opportunity already exists.
Mac Prichard:
Why do referrals matter so much to employers when a hiring manager is making a decision about who to interview or make an offer to? Why do employers put so much value on referrals?
Cam Yenokida:
Yeah, referrals really change everything. And the reason being is that when you have a referral, you’re not just passing along somebody’s name, you’re actually transferring a little bit of trust. And that trust is a really valuable currency in the hiring process. From a hiring perspective or a hiring manager’s perspective, referrals automatically seem a little less risky.
And from a job seeker’s perspective, referrals can actually shorten the process and get you real insight into company culture and the organization’s challenges so that you can best position your abilities and skill sets to satisfy those needs.
Mac Prichard:
We’re going to talk in a moment, Cam, about how to create referrals. But I want to just focus on the referral itself. Sometimes when I talk to applicants about the power of referrals, people think, well, gosh, I don’t play golf with this person, or we weren’t in the same sorority together. So I’m not going to be able to create referrals.
Do you have to know someone really well to get a referral that’s valuable, that matters to an employer?
Cam Yenokida:
No, I don’t think so. In fact, that’s one of the things that I think that stops people from networking intentionally, is that they feel like they have to have the perfect contact or the perfect connection to really create influence.
The reality is, is that what you’re really trying to do is demonstrate some level of trust, credibility, and competence.
And so by doing that, a referral, like I said, is more about transferring a little bit of that trust. And to an employer looking for somebody, they’re going to really want to know, is the person I’m talking to trustworthy?
Do they have integrity? Do they have good values? Do they have good morals? Well, before they get into the actual skill sets or competencies that they’re looking to satisfy for the job.
Mac Prichard:
We’re going to talk in a moment about what intentional networking looks like, but what kind of networking should people avoid?
Cam Yenokida:
Gosh, you know, I’m a big proponent of trying to avoid things that drain your energy. One of the biggest mistakes that I see out there in networking, especially for newer networkers, is that they make it really transactional. And what I mean by that is they show up, they have a bunch of business cards, they say, ” Hey, this is what I do, this is what I’m good at, do you have a job? Do you have something for me?”
And I think that this is a real mistake because the goal of networking again is to enhance your influence and develop some credibility in the community. And so in order to do that, you really need to be intentional about your approach to who you’re connecting with and what you’re trying to accomplish by that interaction.
Mac Prichard:
And what are the building blocks of an intentional networking strategy? What do you have to have in place, Cam, before you start reaching out to people?
Cam Yenokida:
You know, the first thing I think about is that intentionality really builds clarity. And what I mean by that is asking ourselves some questions. Sure, the basic questions of, you know, what are my skill sets, abilities, interests, and passions are important, but also who am I trying to meet with? Why am I trying to meet with this individual? And what am I hoping to learn and share at the same time?
And I think when people have that type of a strategy, then they can create a real structure around their approach so that they can track who they met with, how they got introduced, what they learned, and what topics of importance potentially surfaced from those conversations. And that strategy really comes into play for two reasons.
One, it comes into play when you go to follow up and cultivate that relationship. And two, it comes into play when you get really tired because it can be an exhausting process, and so the better strategy you have, the more consistent discipline you can be.
Mac Prichard:
Okay, well, let’s unpack that, Cam, and the first step you mentioned was to know the skills that you offer and why is that important to be clear about that before you start reaching out to people?
Cam Yenokida:
Yeah, the biggest reason is because I think people really attach their identity to their career. And so the whole idea of looking for a job can be pretty daunting.
And so I always encourage people, your listeners included, to really get centered on what their abilities are, the transferable skills that they’ve collected through the experiences that they’ve had.
And it’s really a chance to not be humble and to be really proud of the things that you’ve accomplished. Because the more centered you can get on the values and experiences that you bring in, and the skill sets. That’s going to show up in how you show up in these networking interactions.
Mac Prichard:
Okay, so know what you offer, and the second step you mentioned was to be clear about who you want to meet and why. I see people struggle with this. They’re not sure who to contact exactly.
What if you don’t have the answers to that question? Why do you want to meet with someone? What does that indicate to you as a coach, and what should you do about it?
Cam Yenokida:
Yeah, know, I think that really stops people in their tracks. And so my encouragement to clients and people that I talk to is to start small.
And what I mean by that is instead of looking for the perfect introduction or the perfect contact, start with people in your network, in your neighborhood, start with friends, start with family, start with people in your community, people that you already have a relationship with, that you can sit down and really explore your interests and your passions.
Doing that, not only will you learn more about other people and potentially what their roles and responsibilities are to refine your search, but you’re also going to be combating one of the biggest enemies in a job search, which is isolation. So, getting out there and just starting small actually starts to build a lot of momentum.
Mac Prichard:
Well, let’s pause and take a break. Stay with us when we come back. Cam Yenokida will continue to share his advice on why you need to network intentionally to get your next job and how to do it well.
We’re back in the Mac’s List Studio. I’m talking with Cam Yenokida. He’s an executive coach and the founder of Achieve Excellence.
Cam’s company helps leaders and teams elevate their influence, presence, and performance. He joins us from Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Now, Cam, before the break, we were talking about how to network intentionally to get your next job and how to do it well.
And we talked in the first segment about why it’s important to network, the value that employers place on referrals, and how generating these referrals can transform your job search. And we talked about some of the challenges people face in networking.
And you began to share some tips with us. Another tip or step, rather, that you recommend people take to network intentionally is to follow up. And you touched on this in the first segment, but
Why is it so important to follow up when you network with others, Cam? And what stops people from doing this?
Cam Yenokida:
Yeah, that’s a great question. The reality is, think what stops people from following up is either one, they’re not quite sure what to do or what to say or what to send, or they may reach out once or twice or three times and not get any response.
The reality is the person you’re sitting in front of might not be in a hiring position, or they might not have a position readily available. So that follow-up piece is super important. And the more intentional and curious you can be throughout the interaction, the more intentional you can be about follow-up.
And so what I like to challenge people in doing is to ask themselves, what did I learn from this interaction that would be of interest to the person I’m communicating with? And when they look at it through that lens, they can find a small genuine interaction or act that keeps them top of mind and not just visible, but relevant. So that could be an article or resource, or it could be another connection within their network that might satisfy their need.
Mac Prichard:
So look for a way to provide value to the person that you met with when you follow up. What if there was a step the person you met with agreed to take, and it hasn’t happened yet? How do you recommend following up to make that request happen? And how many times do you recommend someone follow up before giving up and moving?
Cam Yenokida:
Yeah, that’s a good question, Mac. don’t know if there’s a silver bullet from that. I tend to look at things through the lens of people are busy, and if we’re really trying to be relevant in their space, you can never really follow up too much as long as it’s under the lens of being professional and providing value.
Now, at the same time, I’d say if somebody didn’t respond or acknowledge after seven or eight or nine real attempts, then yeah, maybe it’s worth kind of moving on and focusing your energy on other places.
Mac Prichard:
Okay, be persistent, but be prepared to move on if you don’t get a response. Another tip that you recommended in the first segment was the importance of taking care of yourself when you network. And you talked about in our first segment how networking can be exhausting. How do you recommend people care for themselves when networking with others?
Cam Yenokida:
Yeah, Mac, this is a big one. And I don’t think we talk about it enough. The reality is that a lot of job seekers, especially the ones who have been at it for a while, are getting tired and frustrated.
And like I mentioned, you know, a lot of people associate their identity with their professional career. And so just by putting themselves out there, it can be a real threat to that identity. And in order to take care of ourselves, it’s really personal, personable, or individual, I should say. But I recommend three things.
One is to create a habit or routine that unlocks energy and enthusiasm. Two, limit exposure to people, things, or places that take away our energy. And the third is to really build a strong support system. People who know your value, know your skill sets, and can offer you support, encouragement, and sometimes accountability.
Mac Prichard:
Sometimes when people look for work, they… as many hours as possible into a search for good reasons. They want to find a job as quickly as they can. They might have obligations to family. Is there, but is there a point in thinking about burnout, Cam, when you can burn the candles at both ends and see diminishing returns? What is your advice there?
Cam Yenokida:
Yeah, 100%, and that’s where the routine comes in. You know, if you think about elite athletes who work hard really on their body and physical effort, they always build in recovery. And no matter if you’re looking for a job or you’re in a high-pressure position, that ability to recover, rest, and reenergize is critical in how you’re going to show up.
And especially in a job search, it’s less about checking the box and moving through all of these steps, and it’s more about how can I really intentionally put focus and energy into these steps, and in order to do that, you need to be at your best.
Mac Prichard:
Is there a schedule that you recommend people follow when doing a job search, particularly when they’re networking intentionally? Should you be working 30 hours a week? 40, 20? What have you seen work well for your clients?
Cam Yenokida:
Yeah, I think it’s in that 20 to 30 range and making sure that you’re really kind of balancing out your efforts. So, for example, you’re not sitting in front of a computer every single day filling out applications or resumes, and you’re really building in these networking opportunities or opportunities to get with more supportive people.
And I think if people really took a balanced approach, that they’d find that when they actually do sit down to kind of get through the nitty gritty of it, that they can really buckle down and focus on it, knowing that in an hour or two hours, I’m going to be off grabbing coffee or lunch and gaining energy a different way.
Mac Prichard:
Okay, so intentional networkers know what they offer. They’re reaching out to others, and they know why, for strategic reasons, and they’re taking care of themselves. In reaching and identifying the contacts they want to make, again, you touched on this earlier.
Many people think they need to have the perfect contact, and you encourage reaching out to, starting with family and friends, but as you move beyond those circles, Cam, what is the best way to decide who you need to reach out to strategically and who you don’t need to connect with?
Cam Yenokida:
That’s a good question. Yeah, I think that as people refine their search and get really clear on what they’re trying to accomplish, then they can kind of compare that with people from their circle of influence. So I usually encourage people to start with colleagues, past colleagues with whom they really worked well together.
Alumni or associations that are working in or around the industries that they’re interested in. And by doing that, they can really be intentional and strategic about the people that they spend time with because those folks are going to have the most insight and knowledge into the industry, maybe some of the challenges, and certainly to some of the potential hiring managers and organizations looking for positions.
Mac Prichard:
Okay, so you’re having these conversations, you’re finding out what the hiring trends are, what matters to hiring managers, who actually might be posting a job or have an opening.
But when at the end of these meetings, whether they happen informally at an event or in someone’s office or over a Zoom call, how do you know it worked, Cam? How do you measure success when you’re networking intentionally like this?
Cam Yenokida:
You know, I think you can measure success in a couple of different ways. Number one is that an individual can either offer to introduce you to other people, or when you ask, they’re more than willing to introduce you to other people within their network.
Or you’re learning valuable insights about real challenges that organizations in that industry are facing, which is going to help you prepare even more intentionally for an actual interview process. So I think that there are a number of ways that people can really measure the success of an interaction.
Mac Prichard:
And so you’re uncovering opportunities, you’re getting insights that can help you in an interview. You’re also getting referrals, aren’t you, Cam?
Cam Yenokida:
Absolutely, postings and opportunities don’t move through postings; they move through people.
Mac Prichard:
Terrific. Well, I’ve enjoyed our conversation so much. Tell our audience, Cam, what’s next for you?
Cam Yenokida:
Yeah, well, first of all, I just appreciate being invited to the conversation again, Mac. I’ve got a lot of respect for you and your team, and I really value our relationship.
For me, I’m personally on a mission to improve the world. And I do that by working with leaders and executives and their teams and developing strategies to be more effective, to be more intentional, and to discover more clarity and meaning in their work.
And so for me, what’s next is just an extreme honor and privilege to work with the folks that I’m on this journey with.
Mac Prichard:
Well, I know that our audience can learn more about you and your work by visiting your website. That’s achieve-excellence.com. We’ll be sure to include that URL in the show notes. And you also encourage our listeners and viewers to connect with you on LinkedIn.
When you do reach out to Cam there, please mention you saw or heard him on Find Your Dream Job.
Now, Cam, given all the great advice you shared today, what’s the one thing you want our audience to remember about why you need to network intentionally and how to do it well?
Cam Yenokida:
Yeah, the one takeaway I want your listeners to remember is that they provide value too. And networking not only puts them in the ecosystem where opportunity exists, but it also gives them an opportunity to share their insights and to share their experience and their skill sets with other people, which elevates them as a person of value.
Mac Prichard:
Thank you for listening to Find Your Dream Job.
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This show is produced by Mac’s List.
Susan Thornton-Hough schedules our guests and writes our newsletter. Lisa Kislingbury Anderson manages our social media and creates our transcripts.
Our sound engineer and editor is Megan Hattie Stahl. Our music is by Freddy Trujillo.
This is Mac Prichard. See you next week.
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