Cap tossed. Degree in hand. Hype posts rolling in. You’ve officially graduated and the world says it’s time to go build your future.
But here’s what no one tells you in the commencement speech:
You don’t graduate into a job. You graduate into a network.
And if you don’t have one yet or don’t know how to grow one you’re not alone.
Let’s Get Real
Diplomas don’t automatically come with connections.
GPAs don’t translate into referrals.
And being “really passionate about learning” doesn’t mean anyone will reply to your DMs on LinkedIn.
This is the stuff they don’t teach in school.
Not because it isn’t important but because most people don’t know how to teach it.
That’s where Net-Offering™ comes in.
What’s Net-Offering™?
Net-Offering™ is the modern answer to networking.
It’s not about elevator pitches or schmoozing your way into jobs.
It’s about offering value before asking for help.
It’s about becoming the kind of person people want to know because you’re thoughtful, curious, generous, and real. (That describes you, right?!?😉)
Here’s the shift:
Instead of saying “Here’s what I want,”
Net-Offering™ starts with “Here’s how I can help.”
That mindset changes everything.
Net-Offering™ Moves Every Grad Should Make
🔍💬 1. Lead with Curiosity, Not Credentials
Nobody cares about your resume if you’re not interested in them first.
Ask questions. Be present. Stop trying to sound impressive—start being interested.
🤲✨ 2. Offer Before You Ask
Did someone share advice with you? Then you should promote their work. Leave a review. Introduce them to someone in your circle.
Little gestures go a long way when they’re genuine.
🚫👻 3. Stop Ghosting Your Network
You’ve heard of ghosting in dating.
Maybe you’ve done it. Maybe it’s been done to you.
(Probably both.)
But here’s what no one tells you:
It happens in professional spaces too.
People connect with you… and disappear.
You send a thank-you message… and get left on read.
The biggest myth?
That you following up makes you look desperate.
The truth?
Following up doesn’t make you annoying, it makes you unforgettable.
In a world full of short attention spans and long to-do lists, the person who circles back genuinely, respectfully, and without pressure…stands out.
Net-Offering™ means staying present even after the initial moment of contact.
✔ Comment on their post.
✔ Share something they might find valuable.
✔ Send a thoughtful follow-up, even if it’s weeks later.
Because real connection doesn’t happen in one conversation.
It happens when you show up again.
🧵 Conversation Threads
(aka How to Make Small Talk Not Suck)
The truth is most Gen Zers think small talk is boring.
But here’s the thing:
Small talk isn’t the problem.
Not knowing what to do with it is.
Great conversations don’t start big. They build.
A Conversation Thread is a small detail you pick up and follow…like pulling on a string to reveal something more meaningful.
(aka How to Make Small Talk Actually Useful)
What it is:
- A way to offer or follow a meaningful thread in a conversation
- A conversational rhythm that feels natural—not forced
- A way to make even “How was your weekend?” matter
Let’s be honest—small talk gets a bad rap. Especially from Gen Z.
But here’s the real problem:
It’s not that small talk is boring. It’s that we don’t know what to do with it.
Take this classic Zoom moment:
Person 1: “Hey, how are you?”
Person 2: “Good! You?”
Person 1: “Good.”
[Insert 12 seconds of awkward silence until someone else joins.]
That’s not a real connection. That’s just social autopilot.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
✅ Why it works:
Keeps you from sounding robotic or invisible
Helps you sound real—not rehearsed
Applies to real-life moments—Zoom calls, interviews, group chats
Instead of letting the convo stall out, try:
💬 Threaded Small Talk™ Flow
Two ways to build a thread. One goal: real connection.
1️⃣ They Offer It → You Follow It
When someone shares a detail—even something small—you follow the thread.
You ask a question, share something related, or invite them to go deeper.
Example:
Them: “My weekend was good…we took my niece and nephew to the zoo.”
You: “Nice! Did they have a favorite exhibit/animal? I haven’t been in forever.”
2️⃣ You Offer It → They Can Follow
If they give you nothing but “fine” or “busy,” you take the lead and offer a thread yourself.
You give them something they can respond to.
Example:
You: “Mine was fun…we checked out a new taco place near the plaza. Still thinking about that salsa.”
Them: “Ohhh where? I’ve been looking for a good taco spot.”
🎯 Why It Works:
Whether you follow the thread or offer it first, you’re doing the same thing:
Creating an opportunity for connection.
And that’s what most people miss.
They wait for the “perfect” thing to say instead of creating a thread to build on.
🧠 The Core Principle:
You don’t need big talk.
You need a thread—and the mindset to either spot it or start it.
That’s the Conversation Thread™ model.
That’s the Net-Offering™ way.
➡️ What Comes After the Thread?
Okay, you followed the thread or you offered one.
Now what?
This is where most people stall. They say something interesting… and then let the conversation fizzle.
But Net-Offering™ isn’t just about connection…it’s about momentum.
After the thread, you have options. You can:
🔹 Affirm:
“That’s so cool. I love how you find these off-the-radar spots.”
🔹 Align:
“I’ve been trying to get out more too…it’s amazing what a quick walk can do.”
🔹 Advance:
“You’ll have to send me the name…sounds like a good weekend spot.”
“We should grab coffee there sometime if you’re free next week.”
That’s how a basic conversation becomes something more:
A thread → a connection → an opportunity to build trust, value, or momentum.
That’s the Net-Offering™ way.
💬 A Note from a Mom Who’s Been Asked All the Questions
My daughter graduated high school in 2019 and earned her nursing degree in 2023.
Between those milestones, we talked through everything…from “What college should I choose?” to “Am I going to pass the NCLEX?”
But somewhere in that journey, she started asking me the questions that hit different:
“How do I actually build a network?”
“What do I say if I don’t need anything… yet?”
“How do I connect with people without feeling fake?”
That’s when I knew: she wasn’t alone.
Her generation is navigating a world of constant connection—but very little depth.
They know what it feels like to be ghosted, left on read, or forgotten in a crowd of likes and follows.
They’re not asking how to be popular.
They’re asking how to be seen, how to be heard, and how to belong and most importantly is to matter.
And that’s when Net-Offering™ came full circle for me.
It’s been in my heart for over 20 years, quietly shaping how I show up, connect, and offer value.
But putting it all together for her… and for her generation… that’s when it became a mission.
She didn’t need more resumes or “networking tips.”
She needed a mindset shift, one that flips networking into something human, generous, and sustainable.
