How to Build Professional Networks: Start with People You Know, Attend Offline Events, Optimize Your Professional Profile, Make Specific Requests, and Always Follow Up

The word "networking" often brings to mind socializing and playing politics, which makes many students somewhat resistant to it. In reality, the essence of professional networking is simple: getting to know people who understand you and are willing to offer information and advice when it matters, and being willing to help them in return. Whether you're looking for an internship, considering a career change, or exploring an industry, networking often provides information and opportunities beyond what's on your resume. This article combines the networking and LinkedIn guides from the UK government's National Careers Service with survey data from the US National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) to explain how students and early-career professionals can build their networks.

I. Why It's Worth Investing Time in Networking

• Access to information and opportunities: The National Careers Service notes that networking can help you learn about job, internship, and training opportunities, get referrals, and build your reputation;
• NACE lists it as a career competency: Under "Career and Self Development," NACE includes building, maintaining, and leveraging relationships that can support your career;
• Networking preparation is one of the most effective career services: The NACE 2022 Student Survey shows that networking preparation, along with internship search assistance and mock interviews, is among the most effective services offered by university career centers, yet only about 21% of students have used it.

II. Your Network is Larger Than You Think

The National Careers Service reminds us that your network may be larger than you realize: friends, family, classmates, teachers, colleagues, recruiters, social media contacts, and club members are all part of your network. The first step isn't to meet strangers, but to take stock of the people you already know and think about who might be familiar with the industry you're interested in.

III. In Person: Where to Meet People

In-person events recommended by the National Careers Service include: career fairs, industry conferences, university open days, business talks, and workshops.

NACE surveys also show that in-person career fairs and on-campus recruiting are the most frequently used and highly effective methods for employers hiring interns, with over two-thirds of employers finding them effective. Therefore, attend events in person whenever possible.

How to Start a Conversation

• If you're nervous, start by asking them a question about themselves, such as "What do you primarily do in your role?" (advice from the National Careers Service);
• Prepare a 30-second self-introduction: who you are, what you study, and what you're interested in;
• After chatting, politely ask if you can stay in touch.

IV. Online: Optimize Your Professional Profile

The National Careers Service provides specific advice for your LinkedIn profile:

• Photo: Just you, with a simple background, clear face, and good lighting;
• Headline: You have 120 characters to clearly state who you are, what you do, and your career direction;
• About section: Write in the first person ("I"), include relevant keywords, and end with how employers can contact you;
• Experience: Include internships, co-ops, etc., and use the STAR method to highlight your achievements;
• Skills: Add at least 5 skills to appear in searches (up to 50 allowed); it's recommended to have at least 10 relevant to your target roles;
• Build connections: Start with friends, family, and people you know from school, then add connections after meeting them at events;
• Stay active: Like, comment on, and share others' posts, and publish your own content to stay visible to your connections.

How to write the experience section on your profile is similar to a resume; see our guide on how to write an English resume.

V. Asking for Help: Be Specific, Small, and Easy to Say Yes To

The core advice from the National Careers Service is: make your requests specific; the easier it is for them to help, the more likely they are to do so. For example, you can ask:

• If they know anyone working in the industry you're interested in;
• If they know of anyone currently hiring.

A common approach is to ask for a brief "career chat" (the following are experiential recommendations):

• About 15 to 20 minutes, either online or over coffee;
• The goal is to learn, not to job hunt: Ask about their day-to-day work, how they got into the field, and their advice for newcomers;
• Prepare three or four questions in advance and wrap up on time;
• End with a question: "Who else do you think I should speak with?"

When reaching out for the first time, you can write something like this (example):

Hi [Name], I'm a [master's student in Data Science at XX University] and I'm interested in [data roles in retail]. I noticed you've worked at [Company] for several years. Would you be open to a 15-minute call to share your experience? I'd really appreciate your advice.

VI. Always Follow Up

The National Careers Service says: after making a connection, always follow up with an action. If they give you a contact, reach out to that person.

• Send a thank-you message within 24 hours of the chat, mentioning one thing you learned;
• If you acted on their advice, update them on the results after some time;
• Once you secure an internship or job, thank those who helped you again.

VII. Networking is a Two-Way Street

The National Careers Service emphasizes that networking is a two-way street; let them see that you can provide value too, such as by sharing a relevant article. Students actually have a lot to offer:

• Share new knowledge or tools you've learned;
• Help junior students answer questions;
• Forward suitable opportunities to friends who might need them.

In the long run, those who are willing to help others are more likely to receive help when they need it.

VIII. Tips for International Students

• Don't just stay in your comfort zone: While connections with fellow countrymen are important, proactively meet local classmates, professors, and industry professionals;
• Make the most of university resources: Alumni networks, career center events, and professors' industry connections;
• Maintain connections back home: If you might return to your home country to work, keep in touch with classmates, former internship employers, and industry contacts there; see how to prepare for job hunting back home;
• It's okay if your language skills aren't perfect: Sincerity and thorough preparation matter more than fluent spoken language.

IX. A Networking Action Checklist

1. List 10 people you already know who might be familiar with your target industry;
2. Optimize your professional profile: photo, headline, about section, experience, and at least 10 relevant skills;
3. Attend an in-person career fair or industry event this month;
4. Schedule a 15-minute career chat;
5. Send a thank-you message within 24 hours after the chat;
6. Proactively share something or help someone once a month.

Final Thoughts

Networking isn't about playing politics; it's about genuinely getting to know people, asking for help in specific ways, following up promptly, and being willing to give back. Start with the people you already know, schedule one chat a month, and by the end of the year, you'll find your career horizons and opportunities vastly expanded.

For other aspects of workplace relationships, see our guide on how to handle workplace relationships. If you need one-on-one help with career planning or job searching, feel free to chat with our career counselors.

Verification note: This article was verified in September 2026. The benefits of networking, who is in your network, where to network, how to start a conversation, making specific requests, the importance of follow-up, and networking as a two-way street are from the UK National Careers Service networking guide; LinkedIn profile advice is from their LinkedIn guide; "building and maintaining relationships" is from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies framework (December 2025 edition); the effectiveness and usage rate of networking preparation services are from the NACE 2022 Student Survey, and the effectiveness of in-person career fairs is from the NACE 2025 Internship Survey, all verified in articles 76 and 78 on this site. The practices for career chats, contact examples, follow-up details, tips for international students, and the action checklist are our experiential recommendations, and the examples are fictional.

References:

• National Careers Service: Networking tips
• National Careers Service: How to stand out on LinkedIn
• NACE: Career Readiness Competencies (December 2025 Edition, PDF)
• NACE: The Value of Career Services
• NACE: In-person Activities More Effective Than Virtual Ones for Recruiting Interns