Don’t send another Application > Network instead (⏱️ 10 minutes read)

Stop. Before you send another job application into the black hole, read this.

You've probably sent dozens of applications through JobsDB and LinkedIn. Maybe hundreds.

And you're getting nothing back except automated rejection emails that make you question your entire career.

Consider this: Hong Kong has 1.46 million registered companies as of end-2024 – a record high.

But the truth is: 80% of jobs are filled through networking. In Hong Kong specifically, this number is even higher because of how relationship-driven the business culture is here. While you're perfecting your resume, someone else is having coffee with the hiring manager.

This isn't theory.

Want to know the secret? It's not their qualifications (though those matter). It's that they stopped applying online and started building real relationships.

Openly and genuinly Relationship-based

Hong Kong is openly relationship-based, where trust and personal connections drive hiring decisions more than in Western markets. And once you understand this, it becomes your advantage.

The brutal Hong Kong hiring math:

• Current unemployment rate: 3.2% (Reuters March 2025)
• Professionals actively job searching: 42% (Robert Half 2025)

And guess what: with AI automating tasks and reshaping jobs, human connection will become even more valuable. So networking is definitively a skill you should develop.

⚠️  Warning: If your networking does feel gross you’re doing it wrong.

University of Toronto stduy on the impact of building social capital on people's sense of morality : when you build relationships for selfish pursuit, it leaves them feeling psychologically dirty. And of course, you’re then even less likely to invest time and engage with the people.

Think about worst networker you had around you:

• The one who monopolizes conversations talking about their goals
• The one who asks for favors without showing interest in your challenges
• The one who disappears after getting what they need

Event if you have a goal (finding a job, etc.) while networking, make the networking as a relation investor instead of a transaction seeker

The mindset flip that unlocks opportunities:

Create joy by giving first. Research shows generous networkers are 3x more likely to receive valuable opportunities because people actually want to help them succeed.

This isn't just feel-good advice—it's the psychological trigger that makes people want to help you. You should build generous (ps : generosity does not have limits), genuine and mutually beneficial relationships, regardless of the outcome you have in mind by networking

The Five People Who Can Change Your Career

Forget about "networking with everyone." That's exhausting and ineffective.

You need exactly five types of people in your corner:

1. 🕵️ The Insider (Find 3-5 of these)

Someone currently doing the job you want. They know what skills actually matter, what the interview process is really like, and what red flags to avoid. Plus, they can tell you about openings before they're posted.

2. ⛩️ The Cultural Bridge (Find 2-3 of these)

Long-term expats or local professionals who understand both your background and Hong Kong's business culture. They'll save you from cultural mistakes that kill opportunities before you even know you made them.

3. 🔗 The Connector (Find 1-2 of these)

You know that person who seems to know everyone? Find them. One good connector can introduce you to more opportunities than 100 cold applications.

4. 👨🏻‍🏫 The Mentor (Find 1-2 of these)

Senior professionals who can guide your strategy and potentially open doors through their reputation. They don't have to be in your exact field—sometimes the best advice comes from adjacent industries.

5. 🍻 The Ally (Find 3-5 of these)

Other job seekers who can share leads, practice interviews with you, and keep you sane during the process. Job searching is lonely—don't do it alone.

Total goal: 15-20 solid connections over 2-3 months. Quality over quantity, always. Spend 80% of your networking energy on 20% of your connections.

The Message That Actually Gets Responses

Most networking messages suck because they're all about you. Here's what works:

The FORMULA:

• Something specific about their work (shows you did homework)
• Your background in one sentence (keep it short and focused)
• One really specific question (makes them want to answer)
• Clear, easy request (make it simple to say yes)

Request with clear time boundary. Keep under 100 words

Examples That Work:

For industry research:

Hi Sarah,

Your LinkedIn post about fintech compliance changes caught my attention. As a risk analyst from Germany, I'm curious how the new HKMA requirements are affecting day-to-day operations at established firms like yours.

Would you have 20 minutes for coffee next week? I'm particularly interested in which skills are becoming most valuable in this new regulatory environment.

Thanks,
Alex

For company insights:

Hi David,

Congrats on the Series B announcement—exciting time at [Company]. As a product manager exploring Hong Kong's startup scene, I'm fascinated by how you're scaling operations here.

Could I buy you coffee for 25 minutes to learn about your experience? I'm especially curious about the talent landscape for product roles.

Best,
Michelle

Through mutual connections:

Hi Rachel,

James Chen suggested I reach out after I mentioned my interest in sustainable finance. He spoke highly of your work at HSBC and thought you might have insights on how ESG reporting is changing institutional strategies.

Would you be open to a 20-minute coffee chat? I'm particularly curious about which roles are becoming more critical in this space.

Thanks,
Kevin

Why these work:

• They're specific, not generic
• They ask for expertise, not favors
• They have clear time boundaries
• They make the person feel valued

How to Prepare for Coffee Chats (Without Being Weird)

Never walk into a coffee chat unprepared.

This 5-minute research system gives you conversation gold:

• Minute 1: Check their current role and last 2-3 positions, notable achievements / projects
• Minutes 2-3: Read their company's recent news and industry challenges
• Minute 4: Look at their LinkedIn posts and interests
• Minute 5: Note any mutual connections or shared background (school, industry, etc).

That's it. Don't overthink it. You're having coffee, not conducting corporate espionage.

The Conversation Playbook

First 5 minutes: Get comfortable

• Thank them for their time
• Mention why you specifically wanted to meet them.
• Share a brief version of your Hong Kong story: Think about what you can say that is interesting and also grabs attention, particularly in your introduction, to tease your professional journey.

Next 20 minutes: Ask great questions

• Instead of: "What's your company like?" > Try: "How has [specific industry trend] changed priorities at [their company]?"
• Instead of: "Any advice for someone like me?" > Try: "For someone with my background in [specific skill], what would be the smartest positioning approach?"
• Instead of: "Know of any jobs?" > Try: "Which companies are investing most heavily in [your area of expertise]?"

Use the Question Bridge Technique:

1. Share an insight about their industry
2. Ask a specific question based on that insight
3. Bridge their answer to your next question

Last 5 minutes: Close strong

1. Offer something valuable: "I'll send you that article about [topic you discussed]"
2. Show appreciation: "Your insight about [specific thing] really helps my approach"
3. Make a clear ask: "Who would be most valuable for me to connect with about [specific goal]?"
4. BONUS: The magic question: "If you were in my position, what would your next step be?"

The Follow-Up That Actually Works

Only 48% of people keep in touch with their network, creating massive opportunity for those who maintain regular contact. In Hong Kong's fast-paced environment, staying top-of-mind requires systematic effort.

This is where most people drop the ball. Don't be most people.

That’s why building yourself a dashboard as in the challenge of this month (June) is a good strategy. You will be able to retrieve easily the last contact date and other precious information.

Tips: Note in you networking tracking table what was surprising or caught your attention—for example, a detail that stands out, like unique earrings, a conversation you had about travel, etc. It will help you to follow up in an efficient way.

Your networking tracker should capture surprising details:

• Unique accessories (interesting earrings, distinctive watch)
• Travel stories shared
• Personal projects mentioned
• Industry frustrations discussed
• Family details offered

Check the article 💡Your Job Search Needs This: A Contact Tracking Plan

The 3-7-21 Formula:

Within 3 hours:

Hi [Name],

Thanks for the coffee and insights about [specific topic]. Your point about [specific insight] really clarified my thinking.

As promised, here's [resource you mentioned]: [link]

I'll keep you posted on how [specific advice they gave] works out.

Best,
[Your name]

After 1 week:

Hi [Name],

Quick update: I took your advice about [specific thing] and [what happened]. You were right about [insight they shared].

Thought this might interest you: [relevant article/news related to your conversation]

Hope [project they mentioned] is going well!

[Your name]

After 3 weeks:

Hi [Name],

Update on my progress: [specific thing you've done based on their guidance]

I came across [valuable resource/opportunity] that might help with [challenge they mentioned]. Happy to make an introduction if useful.

Small favor: would you mind reviewing my positioning for [specific role type] applications or could you suggest the best way to connect with [specific person/department]?

Thanks again,
[Your name]

The key: Always give value before asking for anything.

LinkedIn: Your 24/7 Networking Tool

I will create an article dedicated to your LinkedIn profile sooon…

So I won’t deep dive in it in this article, but be sure to:

• Fix your headline:

Bad: "Marketing Manager seeking opportunities" Good: "Marketing Manager | Digital Strategy & Brand Growth | Hong Kong | Helping Fintech Scale Across APAC"

• Write a summary people actually want to read:

Skip the corporate speak. Tell your story like you're talking to a friend. What problems do you solve? What results have you delivered? What are you looking for?

• Daily routine (10 minutes):
• Like and comment on 5 posts from people you want to connect with
• Send 2-3 connection requests with personal notes
• Share one piece of valuable content with your perspective

The Event Networking Cheat Sheet

Which event?

• Weekday Mornings (7:30-9:00 AM): Coffee meetings in Central or Admiralty before the workday begins. Hong Kong professionals often prefer early meetings to avoid traffic and maximize productivity.
• Lunch Networking (12:00-1:30 PM): Quick meetings in business districts. Many Hong Kong professionals have tight lunch schedules, so respect time constraints.
• After-Work Events (6:00-8:00 PM): Industry events, professional association meetings, and informal drinks. This is prime networking time in Hong Kong.
• Weekend Professional Events: Golf clubs, charity fundraisers, and cultural events where Hong Kong's business community gathers socially.

Where?

Hong Kong's relationship-first business districts where networking matters most:

• Central: Finance, law, consulting (AmCham events, Foreign Correspondents' Club)
• Admiralty: Government, NGOs, international organizations
• Tsim Sha Tsui: Tourism, retail, regional headquarters
• Quarry Bay/Taikoo Place: Tech, media, startups (Web3 Festival networking events)

Before the Event (10 minutes prep):

Your 30-Second Introduction Formula - Connect Authentically:

"Hi, I'm [Name]. I'm a [role] with [X years] experience in [specialty], currently exploring opportunities in Hong Kong's [sector]. I'm particularly interested in [specific area] because [brief reason]. What brings you here today?"

Tips: Think about what you can say that is interesting and also grabs attention, particularly in your introduction, to tease your professional journey. Also, talk about immediate benefits. Here’s an example: “If you need to write a clear and concise speech, this is the card you should call”.

• You can prepare a "value inventory": list 5 ways you can help others in your target industry.

During the Event:

Opening lines that work:

• "What did you think of [speaker/presentation]?"
• "How did you hear about this event?"
• "What's the most interesting trend you're seeing in [industry]?"

Conversation bridges:

• "That's interesting—it reminds me of [related topic]"
• "What you're saying about [topic] makes me wonder about [targeted question]"
• "That's a great point about [their insight]. How do you think that affects [specific area relevant to your goals]?"

Graceful exits:

• "It's been great talking with you. I want to make sure I connect with a few other people tonight."
• "Thank you for sharing your insights about [topic]. I don't want to monopolize your time."

After the Event (within 24 hours):

Subject: Great meeting you at [Event Name]

Hi [Name],

It was great meeting you at [event name] yesterday. I really enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic discussed].

As mentioned, I'm exploring opportunities in [specific area] and would love to continue our conversation over coffee. Would you have 20 minutes next week?

[Attach LinkedIn connection request]

Best,
[Your name]

Your 30-Day Game Plan

Week 1: Foundation

Day 1-2:

Day 3-7:

Week 2: Outreach

Daily goals:

End of week:

Week 3: Execution

Week 4: Momentum

What Success Actually Looks Like

You'll know it's working when:

• People start introducing you to others without you asking
• You hear about job openings before they're posted
• Connections reach out to you with opportunities
• You're getting insights that help you make better career decisions
• You genuinely enjoy helping others in your network

Track these metrics:

• Coffee chats per week (aim for 2-3)
• Response rate to your messages (30-40% is good)
• Follow-up completion rate: Maintain 100% follow-through on commitments
• Network growth: Add 10-15 relevant Hong Kong connections monthly
• Value delivery: Provide help to others at least twice weekly

Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances

Don't do this:

• Ask for jobs in your first message
• Use generic templates without personalization
• Forget to follow up
• Only reach out when you need something
• Treat networking like a transaction

Do this instead:

• Lead with curiosity and genuine interest
• Be generous with your time and knowledge
• Follow up consistently but not aggressively
• Build relationships before you need them
• Think long-term, not just about your current job search

Key Takeaways: The Networking Reality in Hong Kong

• 80% of jobs in Hong Kong are filled through networking, not online applications
• Relationship-driven business culture makes personal connections more valuable than perfect resumes
• Most professionals avoid networking because it feels uncomfortable, giving you a massive competitive advantage
• Quality over quantity - 15-20 strategic connections beat 500 random LinkedIn contacts. Spend 80% of your networking energy on 20% of your connections
• Coffee chats are interviews in disguise - prepare like your career depends on it (because it does)
• Give value before asking for favors - successful networkers are generous relationship investors
• Networking takes 2-3 months to generate real opportunities - it's a long-term investment, not a quick fix
• Consistency beats perfection - regular coffee chats and follow-ups compound over time

✨ Take Action Today

1. Follow Fast Track Jobs HK on LinkedIn for daily Hong Kong job market insights
2. Register for our newsletter for weekly networking strategies: Get Hong Kong Job Search Tips
3. Share this article with other international professionals targeting Hong Kong opportunities

Start building relationships with decision-makers. The conversations you have today become the opportunities you get tomorrow.

It's not about who you know initially - it's about who you choose to get to know.

Other Resources you can check:

KPMG Hong Kong Employment Outlook 2025