(NAPSI)—“Networking” has a reputation of being more intimidating than it needs to. Who do you reach out to? What do you say? How do you make a new professional connection without feeling awkward or like you’re asking for something?
Networking doesn’t have to feel this way. However, for many young professionals, figuring out how to get started can be the hardest part.
New LinkedIn research found that a lack of confidence is keeping 72% of Gen Z professionals on the sidelines of their professional community. More than half (53%) say they aren’t sure how to get started building professional connections, with fears of bothering people (37%), being judged (37%) or sounding inauthentic (34%) getting in the way.
That hesitation can make it harder to tap into one of the biggest benefits of having a professional network: learning from other people. A connection can offer advice, share what they’ve learned or point you toward an opportunity you may not have found on your own.
The good news is that people may be more open to those conversations than you think. While many young professionals worry about reaching out, 83% of Millennials and Gen X professionals say they would help someone at the start of their career, even if they didn’t know them.
As AI continues to change how we work and the skills employers need, having people you can turn to for advice, information and new perspectives can make navigating those changes a little easier.
“Gen Z knows these relationships matter, but they aren’t always sure how to build them,” says LinkedIn Career Expert Catherine Fisher. “Real connections rarely start with a perfectly crafted message or a big ‘networking’ move, but something much smaller. Over time, these small interactions add up.”
So instead of putting pressure on yourself to “network” perfectly, start small. Here are five ways to make building and maintaining professional relationships feel a little more natural.
1.Start with what you have in common
Reaching out is a lot less intimidating when you already have an opening. Look for fellow school alumni, or people who share your industry, former employer or even a professional interest.
The Grow tab within the My Network section on LinkedIn can help you discover relevant people you may know or have something in common with, while AI-powered people search lets you search for people using everyday language, like “someone who went to my university and now works in marketing.”
That common ground can help answer the “What do I even say?” question by giving you something specific to reference when you reach out.
2.Follow first, connect later
Found someone whose career you admire but don’t actually know? You don’t have to send a connection request right away.
Try following them instead. You can learn from what they share and engage with their content without being connected. If something they post resonates with you, join the conversation in the comments. As you interact more and build rapport over time, you may later decide it makes sense to send a connection request.
3.Keep it low-pressure
Networking doesn’t always have to begin with a direct message. Leaving a thoughtful comment, asking a follow-up question or adding your perspective to a conversation can be another way to maintain relationships with people in your professional community.
Engaging with your network can also lead to more interaction in return. LinkedIn members are almost three times more likely to receive a connection request and almost five times more likely to receive a message if they’ve interacted with a post from someone in their network.
As Fisher says, “Small interactions can be the start of meaningful professional relationships.”
4.Don’t wait until you need a favor
The worst time to start building your network? Probably the moment you desperately need one.
Instead, make staying in touch part of your regular routine, and remember that checking in doesn’t always need a big reason. The Catch Up tab within the My Network section on LinkedIn gives you easy conversation starters, like when someone starts a new job or celebrates a work anniversary. Even games on LinkedIn can give you a low-pressure way to reconnect, whether you’re comparing scores, swapping strategies or starting a little friendly competition with a colleague.
Sometimes “Congrats! How’s the new role going?” or kicking off some friendly banter over the day’s puzzle is an easy and fun way to get a conversation going.
5.It’s not just a numbers game
Having hundreds of connections doesn’t mean much if you never interact with them. Focus not only on how many people are in your network, but also on nurturing your existing relationships.
Start with one interaction this week. Then another next week. Building a network, and the confidence to use it, happens one relationship at a time. And remember: The person on the other side of that comment, follow or message may be much more willing to help than you expect.
For more advice on navigating work, building professional relationships and making your next career move, subscribe to LinkedIn Career Expert Catherine Fisher’s newsletter on LinkedIn.
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"Instead of putting pressure on yourself to “network” perfectly, start small, advises LinkedIn Career Expert Catherine Fisher."
