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Published on September 28, 2026

Building your professional network isn’t just about collecting contacts.

It’s more about creating meaningful interactions that improve your understanding of a profession, discover companies, get practical advice and identify opportunities.

A network is no substitute for your CV, your motivation letter or an interview. But it does help you prepare your application more effectively by giving you a better understanding of how a company works, spot opportunities that haven’t (yet) been advertised, get feedback on a sector, or receive a recommendation at just the right time. This network is working for you even before you apply. Every potential contact is important. It’s not about having as many as possible, but rather knowing how to get the most out of them.

5 tips for building your professional network

Your professional network is at its most useful when you know what you’re looking for. Internships, work/study opportunities, a first job, a change of career... the more specific your goal, the better you’ll know who to turn to and what to ask for. A blurred lens can only produce blurred images.

On LinkedIn - and other professional social media platforms - a few well-chosen details are all it takes to create a polished online profile: a clear job title, up-to-date work experience, and a short introduction giving an idea of what it is you’re looking for next. You don’t need to be everywhere in the online world; you just need to be clear and consistent about your career plans.

A short, personalised message consistent with your career plans is far more likely to prompt a conversation than a generic message. Show that you’ve taken an interest in the other person before writing to them. What you’re looking for isn’t a job, but a conversation, opinion or advice. This subtle difference changes the way people will respond to you.

Sending a simple ‘thank you’ message after a conversation is a good start. Sharing a useful article, commenting on a post, or posting an update on how your plans are progressing are all small gestures that ensure people remember you, without ever feeling as though they’re being pestered.

A handful of genuine contacts actively engaged with your career plans are worth more than two hundred contacts who don’t know you. A useful network is one where the interactions are meaningful, rather than an artificially inflated address book.

It takes time to build your network, so don’t leave it until you want to apply for a job

Yuri Arcurs peopleimages.com

The best time to build your network is before you need it... A network built when you’re in a rush to find a job is often more fragile than contacts made and maintained over time. Think about the people you’ve met in the past. Classmates, tutors or mentors, teachers or lecturers, former colleagues, trainees on a course… All these people are in your network already. And it doesn’t take a great deal of effort to maintain this network over time. Post an update after an interview, share useful content, reach out again a few weeks after a conversation: focus on consistency and sincerity, not on frequency or volume.

Questions - answers

Do you need a large number of contacts for a good professional network?

No. A useful network can’t be measured by the number of contacts, but rather by the quality of interaction between the contacts you have. Maintained over time, a few truly relevant contacts are far more valuable than a long list of people you’ve interacted with.

What should you say in your first message to a professional contact?

Keep it simple and personal. Introduce yourself briefly, explain why you’re reaching out to this person and make it clear why: an opinion, a ten-minute chat or advice on a particular sector. A short, sincere message that relates directly to your career plans is more likely to prompt a conversation.

How can you maintain your network without going overboard?

After a conversation, you can thank the other person for their time. You could also comment on a useful post, share content related to your field of work, or get back in touch a few weeks later to update them on your progress. The idea here is to maintain a measured and appropriate presence.

Find the vacancies you think would be best for you!

Your efforts to expand your network are starting to pay off, so now’s the time to take the next step and identify opportunities that match your profile!

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