5 practical ways to start networking on LinkedIn without feeling awkward

# Why networking feels hard

Research on early-career workers shows confidence is the main barrier: 72% of Gen Z professionals report lack of confidence, and 53% say they don't know how to start building professional connections. Common fears include bothering people (37%), being judged (37%), or sounding inauthentic (34%). Yet most experienced professionals are willing to help: 83% of Millennials and Gen X say they would help someone at the start of their career even if they didn't know them.

# A different approach: start small

# 1. Start with what you have in common

Look for obvious openings: people who went to your school, work in your industry, or have the same former employer. LinkedIn's Grow tab and its people search (which accepts everyday language like "someone who went to my university and now works in marketing") can surface these matches. Use that shared detail as the first line in any outreach so your message feels specific, not random.

# 2. Follow first, connect later

If you admire someone's work but don't know them, follow their profile instead of sending a connection request right away. Follow to learn what they post, then comment or react on pieces that genuinely resonate. Over time, those interactions create context for a later connection request.

# 3. Keep it low-pressure

You don't need a private message to begin a relationship. Thoughtful comments, follow-up questions on posts, or adding a concise perspective to a conversation are low-friction ways to be visible and helpful. LinkedIn data shows members who interact with a post are significantly more likely to receive connection requests and messages afterward, because they're no longer a blank slate.

# 4. Don't wait until you need a favor

If you start networking only when you need help, relationships will feel transactional. Make brief check-ins part of your routine: congratulating someone on a new job, asking how a new role is going, or sharing a relevant article. Use LinkedIn's Catch Up tab for conversation starters like work anniversaries or new roles. Even small, regular touches—one this week, another next week—build a usable network over time.

# 5. Quality matters more than numbers

Having hundreds of connections means little if you never interact with them. Focus on nurturing a handful of relationships through repeat interactions. Aim for one meaningful interaction this week and another next week. Games and informal features on LinkedIn can also give you playful, low-pressure ways to reconnect with colleagues.

# Practical next steps you can take today

• Use the Grow tab or people search to find three people with a clear shared link to you. Send one tailored follow or comment this week.
• Pick one person you admire and follow them. Save a post you find useful, then leave a short comment that adds value.
• Open your Catch Up tab and send one brief congratulations or question to a contact who changed jobs recently.