TL;DR

  • Networking isn't about asking strangers for favours — it's about building genuine relationships before you need them, and most graduate jobs are filled through connections, not job boards
  • LinkedIn is your starting point, not your only tool — optimise your profile, then move conversations offline (or onto Zoom) for real impact
  • Informational interviews are the single most effective networking tactic — most professionals are happy to chat, and you'll learn far more in 20 minutes than from any job description
  • Follow-up is what separates networkers from ghosters — a thoughtful message within 24 hours turns a coffee chat into a lasting connection

Why Networking Matters More Than You Think

Let's get one thing straight right now: networking isn't about schmoozing at boring events with a glass of warm white wine, handing out business cards like you're in a 2005 sales movie. That's not what works.

Here's what actually matters: the hidden job market. Studies consistently show that 60–80% of jobs are never formally advertised — they're filled through referrals, internal recommendations, and people who knew someone who knew someone. For graduate roles, that number is slightly lower, but it's still significant. If you're only applying to advertised positions, you're competing for maybe 30% of the available opportunities.

Networking is how you access the other 70%. And the good news? It's a skill you can learn, just like writing a CV or passing a psychometric test.

Step 1: Get Your LinkedIn House in Order

Before you start reaching out to people, you need a profile that doesn't make them wonder whether you're serious. You don't need a professional headshot or a perfectly crafted "About" section (though both help), but you do need these basics:

  • A clear headline — not just "Recent Graduate" but "Psychology Graduate | Aspiring HR Professional | Interested in People Analytics"
  • A professional photo — a well-lit headshot against a plain background. No selfies, no party photos, no cropped-out ex-partners
  • Your degree and a brief summary — two to three sentences about what you studied, what you're looking for, and what makes you interesting
  • At least 300 connections — classmates, society members, lecturers, people from internships. LinkedIn favours profiles with connections, and so do recruiters

Your LinkedIn profile is your digital shop window. If it looks neglected, people will assume you're not serious about your career. Spend an hour getting it right before you send a single message — it'll pay off every time someone clicks on your name.

Once your profile is solid, use the CV Builder on padgrad to make sure your CV tells the same story as your LinkedIn. Consistency matters — recruiters will check both.

Step 2: Find the Right People to Connect With

You don't need to connect with CEOs and C-suite executives. In fact, trying to network with very senior people as a graduate often backfires — they're busy, your request gets lost in their inbox, and you feel rejected before you've even started.

The sweet spot is people who are 2–5 years into their career, in a role or industry you're interested in. Here's why:

  • They remember what it was like to be a graduate — they're more likely to empathise with your situation
  • They're not overwhelmed with messages from other graduates
  • They can give you genuine, recent insight into the application process, company culture, and what the first year is really like
  • They're closer to the hiring managers who might be looking for junior talent

Use LinkedIn's alumni tool — search your university, then filter by industry and location. Alumni are significantly more likely to respond to a message from a fellow graduate. It's the easiest networking win you'll ever get.

Step 3: Send Messages That Actually Get Replies

Here's what not to do: "Hi, I saw your profile and I'd love to pick your brain about your career." This gets ignored 95% of the time. It's vague, it's demanding, and it puts the effort on the other person.

Here's what works. The specific, low-effort ask:

"Hi [Name], I'm a recent [subject] graduate from [university] and I'm exploring careers in [field]. I noticed you joined [company] after graduating — I'd love to hear about your experience if you have 10 minutes for a quick chat. Thanks either way!"

Why this works:

  • It's specific — you've clearly looked at their profile and have a genuine reason for reaching out
  • It's low-pressure — 10 minutes is easy to say yes to; an hour is not
  • It gives them an out — "Thanks either way" makes it easy to decline without feeling guilty
  • It respects their time — you're not asking for a job, you're asking for advice

Send 10–15 of these per week. Expect a reply rate of about 30–40%. That's 3–5 conversations per week, which is more than enough to build a real network over a couple of months.

Track who you've messaged, who replied, and who you need to follow up with using the Application Tracker. Yes, it's designed for job applications, but it works just as well for managing your outreach pipeline. Create a board for networking and move people from "Reached Out" to "Chat Scheduled" to "Followed Up."

Step 4: Nail the Informational Interview

If someone says yes to a chat, you need to make it worth their time. Here's a structure that works:

  1. Thank them and set the context — "Thanks so much for making time, I really appreciate it. I'm exploring [field] and your career path stood out to me."
  2. Ask about their story — "How did you get into this industry? What was your first role out of university?" People love talking about their own journey.
  3. Ask specific, informed questions — "I've seen that [Company] is investing in [project/tool/area] — what's it like working on that?" This shows you've done your research.
  4. Ask for advice, not jobs — "What would you recommend I focus on in the next 6 months to break into this field?" This positions you as someone who's coachable, not desperate.
  5. End with gratitude — "This has been genuinely helpful, thank you. Is it okay if I follow up in a few months to let you know how I'm getting on?"

Key tip: Keep it to 20 minutes maximum. If the conversation is flowing well after 20 minutes, let them lead — but always go in planning to be brief. Professionals respect brevity.

Step 5: Follow Up Like It's Your Job

This is where most graduates fall apart. They have a great chat, feel inspired, and then... nothing. The connection goes cold, and all that effort is wasted.

Within 24 hours of your chat, send a follow-up message:

"Hi [Name], thanks again for the chat earlier. Your advice on [specific thing] was really helpful, and I'll definitely look into [action you said you'd take]. Appreciate your time!"

Then, 3–6 months later, send a brief update:

"Hi [Name], hope you're well! I just wanted to share that I took your advice and [did the thing — got an internship, landed a role, completed a course]. Thanks again for the help — it made a real difference."

This is what separates people who "network" from people who build a professional network. The 3-to-6-month check-in turns a one-off chat into a genuine relationship. And when that person hears about a graduate role opening up in their team, who do you think they'll think of?

Don't Forget In-Person Networking

Online networking is where you start, but in-person is where real connections deepen. Here's how to make the most of events without feeling awkward:

  • Set a small goal — not "network the room" but "have three genuine conversations." Achievable targets reduce anxiety.
  • Ask open questions — "What brought you here tonight?" is infinitely better than "So what do you do?"
  • Listen more than you talk — people remember good listeners, not good talkers. Ask follow-up questions and show genuine curiosity.
  • Collect one specific thing from each conversation — a recommendation, an insight, or a follow-up. Don't just collect LinkedIn connections.
  • Follow up the next day — "Great to meet you at [event]. I loved your point about [specific topic]. Let's stay in touch."

Many universities and graduate schemes run free networking events, career fairs, and alumni meetups. These are low-stakes environments to practise — take advantage of them before you're in a high-stakes interview setting.

Common Networking Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

  • Asking for a job outright — nobody networks to give away jobs. They network to build relationships. Ask for advice, insight, and perspective. Jobs come from the relationship, not the ask.
  • Only reaching out when you need something — this is the fastest way to burn bridges. Build connections before you need them, and maintain them when you don't.
  • Being too formal or robotic — "Dear Sir/Madam" energy on LinkedIn is a turn-off. Be polite but human. Use normal language.
  • Not preparing for conversations — if you show up to an informational interview without having done basic research on the person and their company, you're wasting their time. Spend 10 minutes preparing for every 20-minute chat.
  • Giving up after 5 messages — networking is a numbers game. If you send 5 messages and get 0 replies, send 10 more. Then 20 more. Persistence — not perfection — wins.

The Networking-to-Application Pipeline

Here's where padgrad helps you connect the dots. As you build your network, you'll hear about roles, internships, and opportunities that aren't advertised. When you apply, you'll often have an inside track — someone who can put in a good word, or at least give you the inside scoop on what the hiring manager is looking for.

Keep your applications organised alongside your networking efforts. Use the Application Tracker to log every role you hear about through your network, track where you've applied, and note who your contact is at each company. When a rejection comes (and it will), log it in the Rejection Log — even network-referred applications don't always succeed, and the data will show you where to improve.

Final Thoughts

Networking feels uncomfortable at first because it forces you to put yourself out there. But here's the secret: almost everyone who's successful in their career got there partly because someone gave them a chance, introduced them to the right person, or passed their CV to a hiring manager. That's not cheating — that's how the professional world works.

The grads who build strong networks aren't slick, polished networkers. They're just consistent. They send thoughtful messages, have genuine conversations, and follow up without being needy. And over time, those small actions compound into a professional network that opens doors for the rest of their career.

Start today. Optimise your LinkedIn. Send five thoughtful messages. See what happens. The worst outcome is you learn something. The best outcome changes your career.

Ready to take control of your graduate job search? Create your free padgrad account — track your applications, build your network, and manage your entire job search in one place. It takes five minutes, and it's completely free.