← The Warm Way In
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    The Warm Way In checklist

    Every door has a warm way in. Five steps to reach anyone through people you already know.

    1. 1. Map your network

      • List colleagues past and present, classmates, customers, friends and people you met at events.
      • Note each person’s company today and the companies they used to work for.
      • Mark how well you know each one: close, friendly, or met once.

    2. 2. Find the path

      • Look for someone who works there now, worked there before, or works closely with them.
      • Prefer a path through someone who knows you well over one through a bigger title.
      • Write down two possible paths, not one.

    3. 3. Check before you ask

      • When did you last talk to your connector? If it’s been a long time, reconnect first.
      • Ask whether they really know the person, and how well.
      • If either link is thin, treat it as a lead to confirm, not a path to use.

    4. 4. Make an easy ask

      • Say who you are, why this person, and exactly what you’re asking for, in a few lines.
      • Write it so your connector can forward it without editing.
      • Give them an easy way to say no, and thank them either way.

    5. 5. A weekly 30-minute habit

      • Add the people you met this week to your map.
      • Follow up on every ask in flight, and close the loop with whoever helped.
      • Make one introduction for someone else.