LinkedIn says 80% Indian Gen Z is bad at networking, missing out on job opportunities

LinkedIn says 83 percent of Gen Z professionals in India are not networking, with fears of judgement and a lack of guidance keeping many from building career connections.LinkedIn's latest research says most Gen Z professionals in India are not actively networking despite valuing professional relationships. For a generation that spends much of its time online, building professional connections still appears to be a challenge. LinkedIn says 83 per cent of Gen Z professionals in India are not networking, potentially limiting their access to career advice, introductions and job opportunities.The professional networking platform’s latest research found that 79 per cent of Indian Gen Z professionals recognise the importance of professional relationships. However, more than half, or 52 per cent, do not know how to begin building those connections.The hesitation is partly linked to concerns about how others might respond. About 44 per cent said they fear being judged, while 39 per cent worry about bothering people. Another 37 per cent are concerned that they may come across as inauthentic when reaching out.Gen Z says it lacks guidance on networkingFor many young professionals, the problem is not necessarily a lack of interest but a lack of direction. LinkedIn found that 59 per cent of Gen Z Indians say nobody has clearly shown them how to build professional relationships. Around 53 per cent also find it difficult to turn professional contacts into meaningful connections. This can become particularly important when looking for a job, as LinkedIn's data suggests that having an existing connection can significantly improve a candidate's chances.Indian job applicants on LinkedIn with an inside connection are nearly 8.5 times more likely to get hired than those without one. Meanwhile, 30 per cent of Gen Z respondents said they had found their next role through their professional communities online. LinkedIn also pointed to the role of regular interaction on the platform. Globally, members are almost three times more likely to receive connection requests if they have interacted with posts from people in their network.Older professionals are more open to helpingDespite Gen Z's concerns about approaching others, LinkedIn's research suggests that experienced professionals may be more receptive than young workers expect.As many as 92 per cent of Millennials and 95 per cent of Gen X professionals surveyed said they would be willing to offer advice or support to someone at the beginning of their career, even if they did not know that person.Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and India Senior Managing Editor, LinkedIn News, said, “As jobs evolve and career paths become less linear, the ability to build meaningful relationships is becoming just as important as building skills.”Banerjee added that networking does not necessarily require cold messages or formal introductions. It can begin through smaller actions such as commenting on posts, sharing opinions on topics of interest or reconnecting with existing contacts.LinkedIn recommends that young professionals first approach people with whom they share some common ground, such as a university, industry or professional interest. Following someone's content before sending a connection request can also make the process less intimidating.The platform also advises professionals to build relationships before they actually need something, rather than contacting people only when they are searching for a job.- EndsPublished By: Ankita GargPublished On: Sep 2, 2026 13:43 IST