Networking doesn’t have to mean forced small talk or collecting business cards. Think of it as building a small circle of professional relationships—one helpful conversation at a time. Here’s a practical, low-pressure routine you can repeat weekly (in about 15 minutes a day) to grow your network and make it feel natural.

1) Make your LinkedIn “hello” easy to say yes to

Before you reach out, set yourself up so people immediately understand who you are and what you’re exploring.

• Headline: Add a clear direction (e.g., “Data Analyst | SQL + Tableau | Healthcare Analytics”).
• About section: 3–5 lines: what you do, what you’re pivoting toward (if relevant), and what you’re curious about.
• Featured section: Add 1–2 items (portfolio, project, talk, or a strong post).

Quick win: If someone clicks your profile after you message them, they should instantly know why you’re contacting them.

2) Use a “warm” outreach formula (even with strangers)

Cold outreach works best when it’s specific and respectful of time.

Message template (copy/paste):

• Why them: “I saw your transition from X to Y / your work at Z.”
• Why now: “I’m exploring roles in ___ and trying to learn what great looks like.”
• Small ask: “Would you be open to a 15-minute chat next week?”
• Easy out: “No worries if your schedule’s packed.”

Keep it under 70–90 words. The goal is a conversation, not a life story.

3) Make informational interviews actually useful

When you land the call, aim for insight + next steps (not validation).

Ask questions like:

• “What skills make someone stand out in your team?”
• “What’s a common misconception about this role/industry?”
• “If you were starting over, what would you learn first?”
• “Is there someone else you’d recommend I speak with?”

Pro tip: End with: “What would you do in my shoes over the next 30 days?” You’ll get actionable guidance.

4) Follow up like a professional (without being clingy)

Most people drop the ball here—this is where you differentiate.

• Send a thank-you message within 24 hours with 1 specific takeaway.
• One week later: share something relevant (article, event, quick update).
• Once a month: a simple “thought you’d find this useful” touchpoint.

5) A weekly mini-plan (repeatable)

• Mon (5 min): Comment thoughtfully on 2 posts in your target field.
• Tue (10 min): Send 2 connection requests with a custom note.
• Wed (15 min): Do 1 informational interview or schedule one.
• Thu (10 min): Follow up with 2 people.
• Fri (5 min): Track: who you contacted + next action.

If you tried this for two weeks, what part would feel easiest—and what would feel most uncomfortable?