In today’s job market, 70% of jobs are hidden—employers love hiring through their networks instead of public job postings. Networking on LinkedIn is your key to tapping into these hidden opportunities. Here’s how to do it effectively, from preparation to follow-ups.
What Is Networking?
Networking isn’t about spamming people with connection requests or awkwardly chatting at crowded events. It’s about creating meaningful relationships that provide mutual support and growth.
Think of networking as:
- ✅ Connecting with people: Reach out, say hey, and start a conversation that could open unexpected doors.
- ✅ Engaging deeply: Go beyond surface-level interactions. Show genuine interest in what others are working on, celebrate their wins, and offer your help when you can.
- ✅ Building long-term friendships: Approach networking as investing in people, not just leveraging them for opportunities. Friendships formed through shared experiences and mutual support can be some of the most impactful connections in your career.
What Networking Isn’t:
- ❌ Purely transactional: Networking isn’t just about asking for favors. It’s about giving value and connecting authentically, not just when you need something.
- ❌ Only for extroverts: Introverts can thrive by focusing on genuine, one-on-one connections and asking thoughtful questions. Start small and build quality over quantity.
- ❌ Over once you land a job: Keep nurturing your network even after you’re employed. It’s an ongoing process that supports your long-term career growth.
- ❌ A numbers game: It’s not about collecting the most contacts. Be intentional and connect with people who align with your goals and interests.
Before you start Networking…👇
1. Update your LinkedIn Profile
Your LinkedIn profile can be one of the first things people see when you connect with them - hence you need to make it polished and set yourself up for success.
Read through this post for an in-depth guide: 2024 Ultimate LinkedIn Guide
2. Network before you need it
Successful networking starts well before you actually need anything. Don’t wait until you’re job hunting or looking for a favor to start reaching out. Build relationships when things are steady, with no agenda—just genuine interest in getting to know people. This keeps interactions natural and leads to real connections.
Even if you’re not looking for a new job right now, commit to engaging with 1 new person a week to start with. Then work your way up to 3-10 each week.
🔥How to get started: Drop a comment on a LinkedIn post, share your thoughts, or ask for a coffee catchup! - Don’t worry more practical tips down below for specifics👀
3. Connecting Isn’t Enough
Add a personalized connection note to every connection request you send. Sending one with a personalized note shows that you’re genuinely interested in connecting—not just growing your numbers.
🔥Use LinkedIn’s desktop version to ensure you can add a personalized note when sending your connection request (sometimes this doesn’t work on the mobile app).
Throughout the guide below, there are templates for different kinds of connection requests - you only have 300 characters so use your words wisely!
4. The 30-second rule
For a general rule of thumb, if you need to make an ask, make sure it’s something that they can read and respond to in under 30 seconds. Being respectful of someone’s time goes a long way in showing that you value them.
If You Are Applying for a Job… 📝
5. Getting a warm intro
Say you’ve found people you want to be connected with, and 💥 bam 💥 you find out that they’re actually second-degree connections to you.
What are second-degree connections? They are the same as having ‘a friend of a friend’, or going on a Facebook profile and seeing you have mutual friends.
Are you close to the mutual connection you have with that person? If they’re someone you’re comfortable with asking for a quick favor, send them a message. Here’s an example:
Warm Connection Template:“Heya! It’s [your name], hope you’ve been well! I wanted to message to ask for a favour - you’d be helping me out BIG time. I’m switching careers into [XYZ] and I found someone that could share their experience on working in my dream job. You’re actually connected to them - would you be willing to intro me to [name of the person you want to connect with]?
Now, if your friend agrees:
- Make sure to thank them and give them more context around your ask.
- Reassure them you are not walking up to that person and straight away asking for a job.
- Let them know you’re genuinely interested in what they’re doing, and having a warm intro will make you heaps more confident in getting their attention.
6. Leverage Alumni Networks
If warm connections aren’t working out, another great option is to look up jobs or companies you’re interested in and use LinkedIn’s handy “Alumni” feature. This tool lets you find people from your school, college, or university who work at a specific company.
Reach out with a friendly message (like the one below) to build a relationship—and maybe even land a referral. Don’t feel bad about asking for one; many companies have internal referral programs that reward employees for successful referrals, so you could be helping them out too!
Alumni Template: Hey [Recipient’s Name]. My name is [Your Name], and I’m a fellow alum of [Your University/School/Program]! I’m currently applying for [Job Title/Position] at [Company Name], and I noticed you worked there.Would you mind sharing your thoughts on the company culture? I’d love to hear how you’re finding it.
Other questions you could ask:
- Out of interest, what skills do you think are essential for succeeding in a role at [company]?
- Was there anything surprising about the culture that you didn’t expect?
- How would you describe the growth opportunities at [company]?
6. Master Linkedin Filters
Another effective way to boost your chances of getting a job is connecting with hiring managers. Look up the companies you’re interested in and use the “People” tab to search for keywords like “hiring,” “recruiter,” or even the specific job title you’re targeting. Reach out and start conversations with them!
Sure, not everyone will accept your request—and that’s okay. Just by taking the initiative and showing up on their page, you’re making an impression. Sometimes just being on their radar keeps you front of mind when opportunities come up.
🔥 Pro Tip: When reaching out, avoid asking for a job in your first message. While directness might seem efficient, it can come off as transactional and may make it difficult to build a genuine connection. Focus on showing interest in their work or the company instead. This helps establish trust and keeps the interaction natural.
Template Cold Outreach Message: “Hi [Name], I came across your profile and your work in [specific area] at [Company]. I’m [Your Name], currently [brief context about your role/study]. I noticed we both [mention a shared connection, e.g., same school, same industry group]. I’d love to hear about your experience and any advice. Thanks!”
What to Do After You’ve Connected… 👏
7. Follow Up Thoughtfully
Sometimes someone may accept your connection request but not respond to your message. This is completely normal. If you haven’t heard back, a friendly nudge a week later can make all the difference.
✅ Example Follow-Up: “Hi [Name], just following up on my last message. I know you’re busy, so no pressure—whenever you have a moment, I’d really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks so much for your time!”
❌ What Not to Do: Avoid sending one-word follow-ups like “?” or messages that come off as impatient or pushy. These can leave a negative impression and make the recipient feel pressured. Keep your follow-ups polite and understanding to maintain a positive tone and show respect for their time.
8. Engage With People
Look at any top LinkedIn “influencers,” and you’ll spot a common habit: they’re actively engaging with others by commenting, sharing, and showing genuine support. But here’s the key—don’t just comment for the sake of it or use those auto-suggested replies. People can spot those a mile away. Instead, keep your comments authentic and thoughtful.
Each time you comment, it not only supports the creator but also increases your visibility by appearing in multiple feeds. You never know what opportunities might come from a thoughtful interaction.
9. Post Your Own Updates
Relationships go both ways. Share your wins, lessons, insights, and projects so your network knows what you’re up to. This invites others to celebrate with you and opens up new conversations.
Content Ideas:
- Industry trends and why they matter to you.
- Reflections on a recent experience or a milestone.
- Your latest project and documentation.
