How To Have Networking Conversations That Actually Get You Interviews As A Former Pastor
Read Time: 4.5 minutes
Todd Linder
Founder & Head Coach
Overview
Welcome to the Ministry To Marketplace Minute! Today we’re talking about one of the most frustrating parts of the job search for former pastors… conversations that lead to nowhere. Or rather, how to get those conversations to actually lead to introductions that lead to interviews. Because without an interview, you can’t get an offer (and you’re 15X more likely to get an interview through an introduction). So let’s dive in.
Today's Ministry To Marketplace Minute:
Mindset Shift: Networking for your ministry transition.
Strategy Shift: Getting more marketplace interviews as a former pastor.
Do This Right Now: Prep for your next conversation.
Who Will Hire Me?: 5 ministry friendly organizations with jobs for ex-pastors.
🧠 MINDSET SHIFT: Networking for your ministry transition.
In your transition from ministry, you know networking is a part of the job search. But sometimes, those conversations don’t go anywhere.
You reach out. You get a phone call. Maybe breakfast, coffee, or lunch. (We talk more about reaching out in this newsletter here: 15X Your Interview Chances After Leaving Vocational Ministry)
And then it ends with the person across the table from you saying, “so how can I help you?”
It is the question you know is coming.
It is the hardest question to answer.
But it IS the most important answer to have.
The conversation should lead somewhere specific.
What I don’t want you to experience is the conversation that leads to the next conversation, which leads to the next conversation.
Before you know it, you’ve talked to 30 people, but have no actual job leads or interviews.
As a pastor making a career change, this is a big deal too. You’ve now completely exhausted whom you can actually talk to and still haven’t gotten anywhere.
You’ve probably been told, “ask for an introduction to the next person at the end of your meeting.”
And that isn’t bad, but it isn’t specific enough.
So I want you to switch your perspective.
But the goal is to get interviews. Because interviews lead to offers.
Switch your goal in these conversations from being “to get another introduction” to “get an introduction that gets me closer to an interview.”
And that means that you need some key things in place before you get into that conversation.
So let’s talk about what those are.
♟️ STRATEGY SHIFT: Getting more marketplace interviews as a former pastor.
To get introductions that lead to interviews, you need clarity, direction, and a name.
What I outline below is the unlock that is getting people in the Interview Accelerator one interview for every 2 or 3 applications that they submit.
The “Big Win” for the conversation.
If the goal is to get introductions that lead to interviews that lead to offers, that should be the lens of every reach out.
When you reach out to someone, reach out with purpose. Not just because they are “in business” or “really connected.”
Have a “Big Win” going into the conversation that you know you can make an ask for, and know if the conversation was successful.
This “Big Win” should include 3 things.
Sharing the job title that you’re interested in. (requires clarity)
Sharing organizations you’d like to work for. (requires direction)
Asking for an introduction to someone who know that does the job you’re interested in and/or works at an organization you’d like to work for. (requires a name)
Prepping for the conversation.
Now it is time to prepare. Numbers 1, 2 and 3 need to be strategic. Not just the same thing that you say in every conversation.
In the Interview Accelerator, we prep by creating a “Next Step Statement.” That is Numbers 1 and 2 combined together like an elevator pitch of the direction for the next step of your career.
It makes it really easy for the person to know what you’re looking for and how to help you.
Now, number 3.
This is where most people get it wrong.
To really get that Big Win of getting an introduction that leads to an interview, come to the conversation with organizations the person is actually connected to and with people they are actually connected with.
When your job type (number 1) and organizations (number 2) are people and places they already know, it will get them scrolling through their contact list in their head during the conversation.
Then, when you come to ask for introductions at the end, they’ve already thought about the people they know in the position you’re looking for. They’ve already thought about their connections at those companies.
Inception. (Thanks, Leo)
This means doing research beforehand. All of which can happen on LinkedIn.
To find organizations where your contact has connections, do the following in order:
On LinkedIn, navigate to their profile.
Under their name, click their connection count. That will bring up everyone they are connected to.
At the top of the page, click the filter, “Current companies,” and type in all of the organizations you are interested in working for. Click “Show results.”
Then under “All filters” scroll down to “Past companies” and type in that same list and click “show results.”
Now you have a list of every person your contact is connected to that currently works at, or previously has worked at, all of the organizations you are interested in.
You can do something similar with job titles.
Take that list of names to the conversation.
During the conversation.
Now it is time to execute on your plan to get a Big Win.
Inevitably, at some point, you’ll get the question, “So what are you looking to do next?”
THAT is when you insert your Next Step Statement. 2-3 sentences at most.
And then, stop talking. No more explaining.
Let them ingest it. Let them formulate their response. Let them offer the level, or help, or insight, or feedback they want to.
Have some good follow-up questions. Ask them about resources to learn more.
And then at the end of the conversation, when it is winding down, this is your “Big Win” ask:
When they ask how they can help you, come in with your research,
“I noticed that you’re connected with XYZ at ABC organization. Also, I saw that ZYX is a connection of yours at CBA. Those are some of my targets. Would you be willing to make an introduction for me to have a conversation with them?”
Add in that you’re happy to draft a message they can send if it makes it easier.
And that’s it.
Try this for your next meeting and see where it takes you.
Remember, the goal is to get introductions that lead to interviews.
✅ DO THIS RIGHT NOW: Prep for your next conversation.
As a pastor leaving ministry, you know how to talk to people. Now, you know how to prep for that moment. Try these things for your next conversation.
For your next conversation about your job search, do the research. Put together your next step statement based on where you know your connection can make introductions.
Prepare your list of people.
Practice making the ask. Before you get there. You only get one chance, so good to know what you’re going to say!
🚀 FROM THE COACHING GROUP
I have officially landed a role with the National Christian Foundation… Extremely thankful for the support and encouragement found within the M2M community. I do not believe I would have landed this role without the materials, structure, wisdom, etc. provided by this platform.
🤝 WHO WILL HIRE ME?: 5 ministry friendly organizations with jobs for ex-pastors.
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How we can help you:
FREE Ultimate Guide To Your Ministry To Marketplace Transition Our entire process in a free (yes, FREE) guide that walks you step-by-step through the essentials of landing a marketplace job that you'll enjoy, and supports your family. Each section builds on the next: clarity, translation, resume, and LinkedIn connections… everything you need to start seeing traction in your search. You can sign up here >>> Sign up for the Ultimate Guide.
The Ministry To Marketplace Interview Accelerator Join 127+ others who have successfully transitioned from ministry into marketplace jobs that value their experience. The Interview Accelerator will give you our proven step-by-step process, coaching, and community for getting more interviews for jobs that value your ministry experience and support your family. Let's hop on a call!
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