Networking 101: How to build and maintain relationships to support your career growth

Welcome to Keeping the Balance, a newsletter for Gen Z. Subscribe to receive upcoming editions. This week, I spoke to Google's Caitlyn Kumi about the basics of networking. Keeping reading for our Q&A on everything from crafting an outreach note to following up.

When I told my parents I planned to pursue a degree in journalism, they advised against it. Be an accountant, they said. It wasn't that my parents thought being a journalist was a risky career choice. They were hesitant because they didn't have any connections in the field.?

From an early age, my parents instilled in me that it's not what you know, but who you know. Sound familiar? There is a lot of truth to this sentiment. I never doubted that professional relationships were important, but I was OK with having to build them for myself. And that's what I did.

The significance of networking has only grown more apparent to me throughout my early career. I landed my full-time job at LinkedIn because of the relationships I formed during my internship and maintained while completing college. I know that making those early-career connections can be intimidating.?

If you're starting your career and feel overwhelmed by the idea of networking, this article is for you. I spoke to Caitlyn Kumi, who is a content creator and associate product marketing manager at Google, to understand who Gen Zers should reach out to, how we should prepare for networking conversations and more. Below are excerpts from our conversation (some quotes were lightly edited for length and clarity).

When Gen Zers are beginning to network, who should we reach out to?

Think about your peer network first. Think about some of the people you went to college with and make sure you're nurturing relationships on that peer-to-peer level. They can give you basic insights. If you're applying to a job at their company, what's the interview process like? What's the culture like? Those people are really good to have in your network.

When it comes to building that network outside of your peer group … I try to see it as a networking map. There are some people in your network, especially if they're older than you, who might be strategizers. They can help you strategize for that next role and figure out what steps you need to take. Some might be more of those connectors, or people who are willing to make introductions. Then you might have your sponsors. You can find them in the workplace or outside of the workplace. They will champion your work. Then you have your everyday mentor or coach who can give you day-to-day guidance on how to navigate your professional life.

What should we include in an outreach note??

When I connect with people, I prioritize people who I genuinely admire. I really want to get to know them as a person. Before anything, take away their job title. Do you really like who they are as a person? Optimize for that. In my outreach email, I'll usually say: 'Hi, I'm Caitlyn. I work at XYZ company or I went to XYZ school. I really admire your career path and I'd like 15 minutes to learn about your career journey.' Sometimes people will ask follow-up questions like, 'What do you want to learn?' I'll have the three things I want to learn: 'I saw you worked at XYZ company. I want to know how you transitioned from XYZ.' People don't have a lot of time, so keep it brief.

How should we prepare for a networking conversation?

It's always good to be prepared. Have a rough outline like an agenda, including your career journeys and a few follow-up questions. When you're having this chat, make sure you're listening and not so glued on your questions. Be able to adapt and adjust. Maybe you went in and thought it was going to be a serious conversation but then you have a genuine connection and start talking about life and different things.

One of the biggest mistakes I think people make, especially if they're talking to someone really senior, is not researching articles they've written before. Maybe they're a thought leader and post a lot. Nine times out of ten, they've answered the same questions over and over again, so your chat might not be effective. In those situations, skim some of their articles and say, 'Hey, I read your article on XYZ. I love when you talk about this. Can you expand on that and get a little bit more specific?' That shows, 'This person is really interested in me.'?

What’s your advice on maintaining a relationship after the conversation?

Let's say I attend a networking event and meet a lot of amazing creators. I'll often try to connect on Instagram or LinkedIn and figure out how to stay in touch. Some, it's just sending that thank-you note and being social media acquaintances. There are some where I might say, 'Hey, do you want to grab lunch or coffee?'? I'll follow up via text or email to set time on their calendar. Don't forget the basics. LinkedIn literally has a feature where it tells you when it's people's birthday, it tells you when it's people's work promotion. It's automated. Just press the button. For more serious people, a sponsor at work or business advisors, I set up quarterly chats with them or monthly chats, depending on what they feel comfortable with.

Gen Zers who feel like they don’t have anything to offer are often hesitant to network. How should they position themselves to demonstrate value??

As young people, really think about what your unique value proposition is. What would your elevator pitch be if you were to go to a networking event? What's your secret sauce? What are the things that people always compliment you on at work? Then as you're developing your online persona or you're at in-person events, find a way to articulate this. Obviously, be humble. That is key. Start before you're ready. If you're in a scenario where you've just gotten laid off or you're just looking for your first job, give yourself grace. You're starting from scratch. It's a journey. Go in with the strategy of building a network over time. Sometimes you're not going to get that referral or you're not going to get all of the job secrets in that first call. It's in that second call or third call.

What’s your advice on making networking habitual?

It looks different for everyone, whether you're an introvert or extrovert. I schedule it into my routine. Once a month or once a week, I'll set up time to reach out to a few people who come across my LinkedIn feed or Instagram. I leave conversations to 15 minutes because the idea of talking to someone for 30 minutes sometimes makes me anxious. Blocking time in your schedule to do that type of stuff is really important. Another secret, especially if you're an introvert, would be when you meet people at networking events, tell them, 'Hey, if you're ever going to a networking event, would you be willing to let me know about those events?'

?? What are your top tips on building and maintaining a network? Share in the comments below.

?? College corner: Tips for career starters?

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Using social media to get hired by Brandi Fowler: Social media has not only become a place to share industry thoughts, inspire others, and build your community. You can also use it to land a job. The way you construct your personal brand on LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, etc., can attract hiring managers and recruiters. Your accounts can also be their first look into who you are during the hiring process. Read more.

The best city for a remote job by Todd Dybas:: If you're hunting for a remote role, check job postings in Washington, D.C. The U.S. capital ranked as the top region where the share of remote jobs increased the most. That's according to new findings from the National Bureau of Economic Research, which examined open roles from 2014 to 2023 in five English-speaking countries. One reason Washington secured the No. 1 spot? Federal workers, which dominate the city's workforce, are still at home. Read more.

?? The 411: What Gen Z is talking about

Natalie Neptune has learned that cultivating a strong personal brand can unlock early-career opportunities. The college senior has prioritized fostering connections through social media, which has helped her grow her company, The Group Chat Queen. See more in her LinkedIn post below.

?? Stay a student: How to gain new skills

Building connections at work is key to developing a network to support your long-term career growth. For advice on creating an effective relationship with your manager, check out this LinkedIn Learning course. It covers everything from understanding working styles to managing feedback. You can watch the course below or by clicking here.

?? Coming up…

Entering the job market can feel overwhelming, especially in an uncertain economy. LinkedIn News will have more to share on which jobs, industries and cities are on the rise for those starting out with the release of our 2023 Guide to Kickstarting Your Career on May 22. In the meantime, we want to hear from you:?

What questions do you have about securing a job in today’s market? Share your questions by leaving a comment on this post. We’ll take your questions to the experts in an upcoming episode of LinkedIn News Live. You can RSVP here.