For a generation that spends a significant amount of time online, building professional relationships still appears to be a struggle. LinkedIn says 83 per cent of Gen Z professionals in India are not actively networking, potentially reducing their access to career guidance, introductions and employment opportunities.
According to the professional networking platform’s latest research, 79 per cent of Gen Z professionals in India understand the value of building professional relationships. However, 52 per cent said they do not know how to start developing those connections.
A major factor behind the hesitation appears to be concerns about how others may react. Around 44 per cent of respondents said they are worried about being judged, while 39 per cent fear they could inconvenience or bother someone. Another 37 per cent said they are concerned about appearing inauthentic when approaching new contacts.
Gen Z says it needs more guidance on networking
For many young professionals, the issue is not a lack of willingness to network but uncertainty about how to do it. LinkedIn found that 59 per cent of Gen Z professionals in India said no one has clearly taught them how to build professional relationships.
Another 53 per cent said they struggle to turn professional contacts into meaningful relationships. This can be especially significant during a job search, with LinkedIn’s data indicating that existing professional connections can substantially improve a candidate’s prospects.
Job seekers in India who have an internal connection on LinkedIn are nearly 8.5 times more likely to be hired than those without one. Meanwhile, 30 per cent of Gen Z respondents said they discovered their next job through their online professional communities.
LinkedIn also highlighted the importance of engaging regularly with content. At a global level, members are nearly three times more likely to receive connection requests when they interact with posts shared by people in their network.
Older professionals are willing to help
While younger professionals may feel hesitant about approaching experienced people, LinkedIn’s research suggests that older generations are often more willing to offer support than Gen Z expects.
Around 92 per cent of Millennials and 95 per cent of Gen X professionals surveyed said they would be willing to provide advice or assistance to someone starting their career, even if they had never met that person before.
Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and India Senior Managing Editor at LinkedIn News, said that as jobs continue to evolve and career paths become increasingly less linear, developing meaningful relationships is becoming as important as developing professional skills.
Banerjee noted that networking does not necessarily mean sending cold messages or making formal introductions. It can start with simpler steps, such as commenting on posts, sharing views about subjects of interest or reconnecting with people already in one's network.
LinkedIn suggests that young professionals begin by approaching people with whom they have something in common, whether it is a university, industry or shared professional interest. Following and engaging with someone's content before sending a connection request can also make the process feel more natural and less intimidating.
The platform further recommends developing professional relationships before there is an immediate need for help, rather than reaching out to people only when looking for a new job.
