Want a job? LinkedIn says Indian applicants with inside connections get an 8.5x edge

LinkedIn research shows Indian job applicants with inside connections are 8.5 times more likely to get hired. Yet 83% of Gen Z professionals hesitate to network, with many unsure how to begin. Here is why professional relationships matter, what holds young job seekers back, and how they can start networking.LinkedIn research shows Indian job applicants with inside connections are 8.5 times more likely to get hired.Knowing the right person could make a much bigger difference to a job search than many young professionals realise.Indian job applicants with an inside connection on LinkedIn are nearly 8.5 times more likely to get hired than those without one, according to LinkedIn research.Yet there is a clear gap between understanding the value of networking and actually doing it.As many as 83% of Gen Z professionals in India hesitate to network with people who could help with their careers. Fear of being judged, worrying about bothering someone and sounding inauthentic are among the reasons holding them back. Around 79% still recognise that professional relationships matter. But 52% say they are unsure how to start building them, while 53% struggle to turn contacts into meaningful connections.WHY CONNECTIONS CAN MATTERProfessional networks can provide more than job referrals. They can help candidates discover openings, understand an industry, get advice from experienced professionals and become visible to people involved in hiring. Nearly one in three Gen Z professionals in India, or 30%, say they have found their next role through their professional communities online.There is also evidence that small interactions can make a difference. Globally, LinkedIn members are almost three times more likely to receive connection requests if they have interacted with posts from people in their network.The willingness to help may also be greater than young professionals expect. About 92% of Millennials and 95% of Gen X professionals surveyed say they would offer career advice and support to someone starting out, even without knowing them personally.HOW TO START WITHOUT MAKING IT AWKWARDLinkedIn Career Expert and India Senior Managing Editor Nirajita Banerjee says networking does not have to begin with a cold message asking for a job.A simpler starting point is to connect with people who share a school, university, industry or professional interest. Following their work and engaging with their posts can make the first interaction more natural.A comment, question or useful perspective can be enough to start a conversation.The bigger mistake, however, may be waiting until a job is urgently needed. Building relationships only when applying for jobs can make networking feel transactional.For young Indian job seekers, the lesson from the data is simple: build the network before you need it.- EndsPublished On: Sep 4, 2026 08:30 IST