In a world where AI can write your emails and job boards are flooded with openings, it is easy to believe that networking is becoming less important, especially post-pandemic, when we thought the whole world would stay online for longer. But the reality is the opposite: networking has never mattered more.
Technology has made information accessible, but relationships remain the real differentiator. According to a recent report by Accenture (2025), after the Pandemic, working culture has felt considerably low. All the energy we used to have for socialising and committing has been absorbed by a year-round of self-isolation and remote working. In the workspace, research done by Forrester (Accenture, 2025) has indicated that post-COVID years have noted a decrease of 4% in employee engagement. Only 53% of employees chose not to attend an end-of-year party in 2023. A troubling statistic.
Moreover, 42% of Gen Z and Millenials feel insecure when discussing their financial standing. A new trend has risen from this, where the latter generations have refused to take on more tasks than their assigned ones. With the ongoing rise of layoffs and hiring freezes, it makes sense that going beyond and above someone’s role is unnecessary at this moment (Accenture, 2025). Experts say that while career influencers as well as social media peers can provide valuable advice to younger workers, they can also create unrealistic expectations and foster a reliance on less experienced voices. This would only lead to strained relationships with employers.
As a result, many newly graduated professionals and early-career individuals are increasingly turning to networking as a vital strategy to stand out in a competitive job market. After all, who you know — and who knows you — can be the bridge between you and your next opportunity.
Networking Isn’t Just for Job Hunting
Have you ever been one of those known to “hate networking”?
A familiar refrain that recalls that uncomfortable, dirty feeling. When people hear “networking,” they often think of handing out business cards at awkward events. This phenomenon is usually a passion for extroverts who love social interactions, but it has always been seen as exploitative and inauthentic for the more introverted people.
Networking is much broader (and more powerful) than that. It is about building genuine connections, not just because you need something now but because you’re planting seeds for the future. According to Gino et al. (2016), many studies have shown that professional networks lead to more opportunities in the job and business sphere. Not only that, but it also supports more profound knowledge, improves the capacity to innovate, and adds to the status and authority of a person. Who wouldn’t like that?
When you get that job or are a current employee, networking improves your quality of work and increases job satisfaction.
Good networking opens doors to mentorship, partnerships, collaborations, insights into your industry, and even lifelong friendships. Some of the best career moves come from conversations, not applications.
And let’s be honest about this: we all know those who get promoted are often the best communicators. While they may not always be the top performers regarding work achievements, they excel at building strong relationships.
How to Build Meaningful Connections
Forget about collecting as many contacts as possible. Instead, one of the major and key aspects of networking that should always be your golden rule is to focus on quality. Reach out to people you admire. Ask thoughtful questions. Offer help when you can. Real networking is about creating value on both sides.
People tend to have either a “promotion” or “prevention” mindset. Promotion-focused individuals view networking as an exciting opportunity for growth, while prevention-focused ones see it as a necessary task they do reluctantly. As Carol Dweck’s research shows (Gino et al., 2016), it is possible to shift from a prevention to a promotion mindset, viewing networking as a chance for discovery rather than a chore.
Here’s a key piece of advice from MySmartCV team: instead of overthinking and stressing about your next question at the event, try to stay open to the conversation. Focus on listening, asking genuine questions, sharing your thoughts, and engaging with others, whether you agree or disagree. This way, you can maximise networking opportunities and enjoy the experience.
By showing genuine interest, you can capture the attention of your next potential employer. Someone who dares to ask unconventional questions and encourages others to think more deeply is seen as a person of interest—a potentially valuable employee even!
A few simple steps you can take:
- Stay curious: Instead of pitching yourself, start conversations. Ask people about their experiences and challenges.
- Be consistent: Don’t wait until you need something. Regularly check in with your network, even if it’s just a quick “How’s everything going?” message.
- Step further: Give before you take: Share useful articles, introduce people to one another, or offer advice. When you give first, people remember you.
Online Networking Matters Too
Networking doesn’t require attending a conference. You might not have the budget to access such events or the ability to be there right now. LinkedIn, X, Slack groups, and even comments on blogs and webinars are modern networking platforms, and sometimes even more reliable. A thoughtful comment on someone’s post can be the start of a meaningful connection. For example, if someone shares a post about a new project they’re working on, you could comment, “I admire the approach you’re taking with this project. The way you combined innovation and sustainability is inspiring! I would love to hear more about how you tackled the challenges”. This type of thoughtful engagement shows genuine interest, sparking a conversation that could lead to a meaningful connection.
Engage where your peers and industry leaders are already spending time. Authenticity always beats forced interactions.
Your Network Is an Investment
Building relationships takes time. You might not see results overnight — and that’s okay. Think of your network like a long-term investment. Your effort today could open unexpected doors a year, five years, or even ten years down the line.
In a noisy digital world, human connection is your competitive edge. So start a conversation today — and keep building.
References
All images used in this document are sourced from Unsplash.
Accenture (2025). Life Trends 2025. Accenture Song. Retrieved from https://www.accenture.com/content/dam/accenture/final/accenture-com/document-3/Accenture-LifeTrends2025-Report.pdf#zoom=40
Gino, F., Kouchaki, M., & Casciaro, T. (2016, May 1). Learn to love networking. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2016/05/learn-to-love-networking
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