Strategic Playbook
Your network is your unfair advantage
70% of jobs are never posted publicly. The best candidates are only reachable through relationships. Here's how to turn your LinkedIn network into a systematic talent pipeline.
The Hidden Value
Your most underused recruiting asset
The average founder has 500+ LinkedIn connections. Each connection has 500+ of their own. That's 250,000+ professionals within three degrees of separation — most of whom you've never thought to recruit.
Traditional job boards reach the 30% of talent actively looking. Your network reaches the other 70% — the passive candidates who are often the best hires.
The Strategy
The three-layer network approach
Direct Prospects
Former colleagues, industry contacts, people who already know your work. These candidates have the highest response rates because there’s existing trust.
60%+ response rateConnector Network
VCs, advisors, industry leaders who can make warm introductions. A single connector can unlock dozens of candidates you’d never find on job boards.
Warm intros convert 4x betterIntelligence Network
Broader market connections that provide intelligence on talent movements, salary benchmarks, and competitive landscape. The context that makes your outreach smarter.
Market intelligence advantageThe Formula
Authentic outreach that gets responses
Three ingredients that turn a cold message into a conversation.
Personal
Reference shared experiences, mutual connections, or specific achievements. Show you’ve done your homework.
"I noticed your work on the data infrastructure migration at [Company] — impressive results."
Professional
Lead with the mission and the challenge, not the job title. A-players want to solve hard problems.
"We’re scaling from €2M to €10M ARR and need someone who’s built this motion before."
Purposeful
Make the ask clear and low-commitment. An exploratory conversation is easier to say yes to than a formal interview.
"Would love to share what we’re building — even if the timing isn’t right, I’d value your perspective."
The Compound Effect
Every great hire makes the next one easier
of subsequent hires come from network referrals
Each great hire becomes a source of future great hires. Your best recruiter is someone who already chose to join.
reduction in time-to-hire
Continuous relationship building means you’re not starting from zero when a role opens. Your pipeline is always warm.
improvement in quality-of-hire
Network hires come with built-in social proof. When a trusted connection vouches for someone, the signal quality is unmatched.
Scale Your Network Effect
Your network strategy, amplified by AI
Umamy analyzes 800M+ profiles to extend your reach far beyond your direct network. Outreach comes from your LinkedIn profile — authentic, personalized, and at scale. You maintain the relationships. We handle the systematic execution.
Activate your network
One call to see how we can turn your connections into your next great hires.
Request a demo