How to Network on LinkedIn and Build Career Connections

1. Define Your Networking Goal

Before sending connection requests, decide what you want to achieve.

Your goal might be to:

• Find a new job
• Explore a career change
• Connect with recruiters
• Learn about an industry
• Build relationships with potential clients
• Meet mentors or peers
• Increase your professional visibility

A clear goal helps you identify the right people and write more relevant messages.

For example, someone exploring a move into project management should focus on project managers, team leaders, recruiters, and professionals who recently made a similar career change.

2. Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile

People usually review your profile before accepting a connection request. Your profile should clearly show who you are, what you do, and where you want to go next.

LinkedIn’s guidance on how to create a complete LinkedIn profile can help you present your experience, education, skills, and professional goals more clearly.

Before making changes, consider what recruiters notice first on your resume and LinkedIn so you can prioritise the details that influence first impressions.

Focus on these areas:

• Use a clear, professional profile photo
• Write a headline that explains your expertise and value
• Add a concise About section
• Include measurable achievements in your experience
• List relevant skills, certifications, and projects
• Use keywords related to your target role or industry

Instead of using a headline such as “Seeking New Opportunities,” describe what you offer.

For example:

Operations Manager | Process Improvement | Team Leadership | Business Growth

These practical tips can help you improve your LinkedIn headline using your target role, specialities, outcomes, and relevant keywords.

It is also worth checking for LinkedIn mistakes that can hurt your job search, including a vague headline, missing keywords, outdated experience, and generic connection requests.

A strong profile makes it easier for new contacts to understand why connecting with you may be worthwhile.

3. Identify the Right People

Do not connect with people at random. Look for professionals who are relevant to your goals.

Good potential contacts include:

• Current and former colleagues
• University alumni
• Recruiters in your industry
• Hiring managers
• Professionals in your target role
• Industry experts
• Conference speakers
• Members of relevant professional groups
• People connected to someone you already know

Start with people who share a genuine point of connection, such as an employer, school, industry, location, professional interest, or mutual contact.

4. Use LinkedIn Search Strategically

Use LinkedIn search to find people by:

• Job title
• Company
• Industry
• Location
• School
• Skills
• Shared connections

Try combining terms that reflect your goal.

For example:

• Marketing manager healthcare
• Software recruiter Sydney
• Project manager construction
• Financial analyst alumni
• UX designer career change

Review each profile before connecting. Look for details you can mention in your message, such as a recent post, shared employer, career path, or mutual interest.

5. Start with Existing Connections

Your current network may be more valuable than you realise.

Reconnect with:

• Former colleagues
• Previous managers
• Clients
• Suppliers
• University classmates
• People you met at events
• Professional association members

A warm relationship is often easier to develop than a completely new one.

A simple reconnection message could be:

Hi Sarah, it has been a while since we worked together at Apex. I saw your recent promotion and wanted to congratulate you. I would be glad to reconnect and hear how things are going.

6. Engage Before Sending a Request

Where possible, interact with someone before sending a connection request.

You can:

• Like a relevant post
• Leave a useful comment
• Share their content with your own insight
• Respond to a question they have posted
• Mention something you learned from their article

Avoid generic comments such as “Great post” or “Thanks for sharing.”

A stronger comment adds a useful observation or question:

Your point about involving stakeholders early is especially important. I have seen projects lose momentum when feedback starts too late. How do you decide which stakeholders should be involved during the planning stage?

Thoughtful engagement helps people recognise your name before your invitation arrives.

7. Personalise Your Connection Request

A strong connection request should be brief, relevant, and easy to understand.

Mention:

• Why you are contacting them
• What you have in common
• What interested you about their work

Do not immediately ask for a job, referral, meeting, or favour.

For more outreach guidance, learn how to start better career conversations on LinkedIn instead of relying on blank or generic invitations.

Connection Request to an Industry Professional

Hi Daniel, I enjoyed your post about moving from finance into data analytics. I am exploring a similar path and found your experience helpful. I would be glad to connect.

Connection Request to an Alumnus

Hi Melissa, I noticed we both studied at Monash University and now work in digital marketing. I am expanding my network in the industry and would be pleased to connect.

Connection Request to a Recruiter

Hi James, I came across your profile while researching recruiters who specialise in engineering roles. I work in civil project delivery and would be glad to connect.

8. Send a Message After They Accept

Do not allow the connection to become another forgotten name in your network.

Send a short message that continues the conversation without putting pressure on the other person.

For example:

Thanks for connecting, Daniel. Your move into analytics caught my attention because I am currently developing similar skills. Was there one course or project that helped you most during the transition?

Ask a focused question that is easy to answer. Avoid sending several questions at once.

9. Ask for an Informational Conversation

Once you have established some context, you may ask for a brief conversation.

Be clear that you are seeking advice, not asking them to find you a job.

For example:

I appreciate your insights. I am learning more about product management and would value hearing about your experience in the field. Would you be open to a brief 15-minute call sometime in the next two weeks?

Respect their time. If they decline or do not respond, do not continue pushing.

10. Offer Value Before Asking for Help

Good networking should not feel one-sided.

You can offer value by:

• Sharing a relevant article
• Introducing two useful contacts
• Congratulating someone on an achievement
• Recommending a tool or resource
• Supporting their professional content
• Sharing an event they may find useful
• Providing an informed answer to a question

You do not need to offer something significant. Small, relevant actions help build trust over time.

11. Follow Up Without Being Annoying

If someone does not reply, wait about one week before sending one polite follow-up.

For example:

Hi James, I wanted to follow up in case my earlier message was missed. I understand you may be busy, so there is no pressure to respond. I would still be glad to stay connected.

Do not send repeated messages. A lack of response may simply mean the person is busy or not interested.

For existing contacts, follow up when you have a genuine reason, such as:

• Congratulating them on a new role
• Responding to a recent post
• Sharing a useful resource
• Updating them on advice they gave you
• Inviting them to a relevant event

12. Maintain Your Professional Relationships

Networking does not end after one message or meeting.

Keep relationships active by:

• Engaging with your contacts’ posts
• Checking in occasionally
• Sharing relevant updates
• Thanking people who help you
• Letting contacts know how their advice helped
• Offering support when appropriate

LinkedIn is only one part of relationship building. This broader career networking guide explains how to create and maintain professional relationships across online and in-person channels.

A simple follow-up after receiving advice can make a strong impression:

Thank you again for recommending that project management course. I completed the first module and have already applied one of the planning frameworks at work. Your suggestion was very useful.