Featuring Eric Wilson and Chaz Cirame
In our latest webinar, we welcomed Chaz Cirame, Founder and Principal at Big Fish Recruiting for a substantive discussion on how campaign professionals can build and sustain meaningful professional networks throughout their careers.
Hosted by our Executive Director, Eric Wilson, the conversation covered practical strategies for building trust, expanding professional relationships, and leveraging your network for long-term career development.
Key Insights from the Conversation
Showing up matters.
For those starting out in campaigns or political advocacy, proximity and presence remain critical. Whether volunteering for a local campaign, attending in-person events, or relocating to a hub like Washington, D.C., being physically present significantly increases the likelihood of building relationships that lead to opportunity.
Networking is about relationships, not transactions.
Effective networking is built on authenticity and reciprocity. Cirame emphasized the importance of cultivating genuine relationships by taking a sincere interest in others and looking for ways to offer value—without an immediate agenda. This approach builds credibility and long-term trust.
Stay top of mind.
A strong network requires ongoing engagement. Tools like personal CRMs (e.g., ContactDrip), handwritten thank-you notes, and thoughtful follow-ups help professionals maintain connections and stand out. Small, consistent actions can have a lasting impact.
Adapt to the evolving hiring landscape.
As AI tools and virtual interviews become more common in hiring processes, job seekers need to be prepared for new formats and technologies. Candidates should be proactive in offering in-person availability when possible and ensure they are professionally presented in virtual settings.
Your network is your professional infrastructure.
Strong networks are vital not only for career transitions, but also for advancing into leadership and business development roles. Nearly all senior positions in political and advocacy organizations require some form of selling—whether of services, ideas, or influence. Building relationships that position you as a problem-solver is essential to that progression.
Common pitfalls to avoid:
- Relying too heavily on a single mentor or job lead
- Building relationships only when you need something
- Underestimating the future importance of junior-level peers and contacts
- Confusing access or proximity with actual authority or influence
Cirame also emphasized the importance of helping others in your network without expectation. This concept of “co-elevation”—investing in others’ success—is a long-term strategy that pays dividends as careers evolve.
Watch the Full Webinar
If you weren’t able to join the conversation live, the full recording is available here.
Helpful Resources from Chaz Cirame
If you’re thinking about your next career move—or just want to be more intentional about how you build relationships and design your life—here are three must-reads I always come back to:
- **Never Eat Alone, Expanded and Updated: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time** - Still one of the best books out there on networking. It’s not about transactional relationships—it’s about generosity, consistency, and the long game. If you want to grow your network the right way, start here.
- **Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life** - This book is literally why I started Big Fish and I recommend it on an almost daily basis. If you are a pivot point in your life and don’t know what is next this book helps you apply design thinking to your career and life and make those decisions. It’s full of exercises to help you test ideas, explore options, and avoid getting stuck.
- **How to Win Friends & Influence People** - It’s nearly 90 years old, and still unmatched-it’s the Bible of relationship building. If you haven’t read it, do. If you read it a while ago, re-read it. It’s a masterclass in human connection and emotional intelligence.
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/RulesOfNetworking/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dos-donts-networking-get-your-first-job-chaz-cirame/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/power-follow-up-building-network-lasts-chaz-cirame-zjq5c/
- https://ironlightlabs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Lab-Report-Networking-How-Good-Ideas-Get-Adopted-1.pdf
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or reach out directly at chaz@recruitbigfish.com if you ever want to talk more about networking, career pivots, or just what’s next.
