Networking gets a bad rap because it’s often treated like a transaction. But the best opportunities come from relationships built over time, not from collecting connections. Here are a few practical ways to make networking feel natural—and actually work.

1) Focus on people, not positions

Before you send a message, ask:

• What do I genuinely want to learn from this person? (career path, industry shift, team culture)
• Why them specifically? (shared alma mater, recent post, same tools, similar background)

A great mindset shift: you’re not asking for a job—you’re asking for perspective.

2) Upgrade your LinkedIn outreach (copy/paste framework)

Most messages fail because they’re vague (“Can we connect?”) or too heavy (“I’d love to pick your brain”). Try this instead:

• Line 1: Personal relevance (1 sentence)
• Line 2: Clear ask (15 minutes, 2–3 questions)
• Line 3: Low-pressure close (easy opt-out)

Example:

Hi Priya—your post on transitioning from QA to product really resonated. I’m exploring a similar move and would love to ask 2–3 questions in a 15-minute chat. If now isn’t a good time, no worries at all.

3) Make informational interviews actually useful

When you land the conversation, avoid generic questions. Better options:

• “What skills made the biggest difference in your first 6 months in this role?”
• “If you were starting over today, what would you do in the next 30 days?”
• “What’s a common misconception about working in your team/industry?”

Close strong:

• Ask: “Is there anyone else you’d recommend I speak with?”
• Confirm: “What’s the best way for me to keep you posted?”

4) Follow-up without being awkward

Most people drop the ball here—so you can stand out easily.

• Send a thank-you within 24 hours with 1 specific takeaway.
• Then send a light update 2–4 weeks later: what you tried, what you learned, or a resource you found.

Follow-up template:

Thanks again for your time—your point about hiring managers valuing X over Y was a big unlock. I tried your suggestion and updated my portfolio accordingly. Appreciate your guidance!

5) Build “micro-consistency” instead of random bursts

Try a simple weekly system:

• 2 thoughtful comments on LinkedIn posts
• 1 outreach message
• 1 follow-up/update

That’s enough to create momentum without burning out.

Your turn: What’s the hardest part of networking for you right now—starting outreach, keeping conversations going, or asking for help without feeling pushy?