Getting a job today is not only about sending resumes—it’s also about who you know. Networking Help You Get a Job by building good relationships with people who can support your career, like friends, family, teachers, or past co-workers.
Many jobs are shared privately through contacts, not posted online. This is called the hidden job market. When someone trusts you, they recommend you or tell you about a job opportunity.
Networking also helps employers learn your skills, speeds up hiring, builds your confidence, and allows you to learn from others’ real-life experiences.
Why Is Networking Important for Jobs
Networking is crucial for job hunting because it opens doors to opportunities and helps you connect with industry insiders. It also builds relationships that can lead to job referrals and valuable insights.
🔹1. Most Jobs Are Filled Through Referrals
In the business world, many job openings are filled not through advertisements or job boards but through employee referrals. This means that companies often rely on their current employees to recommend candidates for job roles. When someone is referred by a trusted employee, it saves the company time and effort in hiring, as they already trust the person recommending the candidate.
🎯Example: In tech companies like Google, referrals are a huge part of the hiring process. Employees are encouraged to refer talented people they know, and Google’s hiring managers often prioritize these referrals. It’s been reported that employees who refer candidates are 3 to 4 times more likely to get hired (Study: Google Careers).
🔹2. Employers Trust People Recommended by Someone They Know
One of the main reasons networking is so important is that trust plays a big role in hiring decisions. If an employee or a colleague recommends someone for a role, the employer is more likely to trust the candidate, even if they don’t have all the technical qualifications. This is especially true in industries where culture fit and team dynamics are just as important as technical skills.
🎯Example: At IBM, the company is known for hiring through referrals. If an employee vouches for someone they’ve worked with in the past, the hiring team is more likely to consider that candidate. This is because IBM places a strong emphasis on company culture, and referrals from trusted employees give them confidence that the candidate will fit well in their teams.
🔹3. You Learn About Job Openings Before Others
Networking gives you an inside track on job openings. Many jobs are never advertised publicly and are shared only within networks. People you know might share job leads before they’re even posted online or internally at a company, giving you a huge advantage over others who are just waiting for public job listings.
🎯Example: Consider a marketing professional who attends networking events and stays in touch with industry leaders. One day, a contact at a company mentions that they are looking for a marketing manager but haven’t advertised the position yet. This insider knowledge can help the professional get an early application in before anyone else even knows about the opening.
🔹4. Networking Helps You Get Advice, Mentorship, and Insights Into Companies or Roles
Networking doesn’t just help you find a job—it also helps you grow professionally. Through networking, you can connect with people who can provide advice on how to improve your skills, offer mentorship, or give you insights into companies or specific job roles. This help is really important for finding a good job in today’s tough market.
🎯Example: A person interested in working at a startup might network with entrepreneurs and current employees of successful startups. These connections can provide tips on how to succeed in a startup environment, advice on specific skills needed, and even introduce the person to potential employers. One example of this is Sarah Blakely, the founder of Spanx, who credits her success to the mentorship she received from people in her network.
Real Ways Networking Helps You Get a Job
Networking isn’t just about shaking hands or collecting LinkedIn connections — it’s about unlocking real opportunities through human connection. Here’s how networking helps you land a job, with real-world-style examples and actionable tips.
✅ 1. Job Referrals – Getting In Through a Trusted Contact
What does it mean:
When a friend, family member, or someone you know suggests you for a job at their company, it’s called a job referral. Referrals are highly effective because employers trust the people they already know, and they are more likely to hire someone recommended by a current employee.
Real Example:
At Google, more than 50% of employees are hired through referrals, according to a report from Glassdoor. This means if someone you know at Google trusts you and recommends you, it’s much easier for you to get noticed for a job.
How does it work for you:
- Stay connected with people in your network.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals when a job opening comes up.
- A simple message like, “Hi, I’m interested in this job at your company. If you think I’m a good match, I’d be grateful for a referral,” can make a big difference.
2. Insider Information – What Job Descriptions Won’t Tell You
Networking gives you non-public info—things you won’t find in job listings. That includes team challenges, hiring manager preferences, or current internal problems.
🧠 Example:
A friend working at Salesforce tells you the company is expanding its AI sales division but struggling to find people who understand both tech and sales. You fix up your resume, show your mixed skills, and just like that — you’re hired.
💡 Expert Tip:
Ask smart questions during networking:
“Can you share what kind of background the team prefers?”
This can help you make a better resume and do well in interviews.
3. Skill Matching – Targeted Upskilling Based on Market Needs
Most job seekers guess what skills they need. Networking tells you exactly what’s in demand.
🧠 Example:
In Silicon Valley, product managers are increasingly expected to understand data analytics. After hearing this trend from multiple sources, Anna (a junior PM) took a short course in SQL and Tableau. She landed a job at Airbnb within three months.
💡 Expert Tip:
Use your network to ask: “What skills helped you get hired at your current company?” You’ll hear trends before they show up in job posts.
4. Confidence Building – Practice Talking Like a Pro
Networking isn’t just about getting jobs — it’s also training. Every coffee chat or LinkedIn DM is practice for presenting yourself.
🧠 Example:
Michael, an MBA student in New York, attended regular mixers hosted by startup incubators. Talking to founders and hiring managers helped him pitch himself better — when he interviewed at a VC-backed tech firm, he spoke their language and got hired.
💡 Expert Tip:
You don’t have to be extroverted. Just be curious. Ask people about their work, listen actively — you’ll build confidence and clarity in your path.
5. Learning from Others – Avoiding Mistakes and Following Proven Paths
Most successful professionals followed non-linear paths, and their stories can save you years of trial and error.
🧠 Example:
Jessica, a marketing coordinator in Chicago, was confused about her next career step. After networking with three CMOs through LinkedIn, she noticed all of them had experience in performance marketing. She pivoted to that, gained certification, and landed a new role at a fast-growing startup within 6 months.
💡 Expert Tip:
Ask people:
“If you had to start again, what would you change?”
That question alone can unlock career-defining insights.
Where and How to Build a Network
Build your network by joining local business groups or online platforms like LinkedIn. Connect with people, share ideas, and stay active in conversations.
1. LinkedIn – Your Professional Gateway
What to do:
Connect with professionals in your field, follow industry leaders, engage with relevant content, and send thoughtful messages.
🧠 Real Example:
In the U.S., recruiters from companies like Meta and Tesla actively use LinkedIn to source candidates. If your profile is optimized and you engage regularly, you can appear in recruiter searches.
2. Job Fairs and Seminars – Face-to-Face with Employers
What to do:
Attend career fairs, industry expos, or networking nights. Bring your resume, elevator pitch, and confidence.
🧠 Real Example:
Tech companies at SXSW (Austin, Texas) regularly scout fresh talent. Many startups do on-the-spot interviews at booths. A marketing graduate once landed an internship at a SaaS firm just by striking up a conversation at their booth.
3. Online Groups and Communities – Your Niche Tribe
What to do:
Join Reddit threads, Slack channels, Facebook Groups, and Discord servers focused on your field (e.g., design, finance, coding, etc.).
🧠 Real Example:
In the r/UXDesign subreddit, designers share real-time job openings and referrals. One user shared that they got a remote design role at a fintech company through a Slack group, bypassing public job boards entirely.
4. Volunteering – Build Skills and Relationships
What to do:
Offer your skills for non-profits, community projects, or events. You not only give back, but you also work side-by-side with professionals.
🧠 Real Example:
In Los Angeles, a data analyst volunteered for a local food bank. The nonprofit’s board member was a director at a major logistics company, and later offered him a full-time role. One act of service turned into a job offer.
Final Thought
Networking is one of the most powerful ways to get a job in today’s competitive world. We talked about how building real connections with friends, professionals, or even people online can open doors to job referrals, insider tips, and career advice. Many jobs are filled through people, not job boards, and being part of a network helps you stay ahead. Whether it’s through LinkedIn, job fairs, volunteering, or online communities, networking helps you learn, grow, and confidently step into new opportunities. It’s not just what you know, but who you know—and who knows you—that matters.
