The DM age has a networking problem—and it’s fear

They may be the most digitally connected generation at work, but many Gen Z professionals are still struggling to make the human connections that could help their careers.

In India, 83% of Gen Z professionals hesitate to interact or network with people who could help them professionally, according to a new LinkedIn report. Fear of being judged is the biggest barrier, cited by 44% of respondents, followed by concerns about bothering others (39%) and sounding inauthentic (37%).

The hesitation comes despite Gen Z recognising the importance of professional relationships. About 79% of Indian Gen Z professionals said such relationships are important, but 52% are unsure how to get started and 53% struggle to turn contacts into meaningful connections.


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The global findings tell a similar story. LinkedIn found that 72% of Gen Z professionals feel disconnected from people who could help them in their careers. More than half (53%) are unsure how to get started with professional relationships, while 52% do not know how to turn contacts into meaningful connections.

Networking could mean better job prospects

The reluctance to network could have a direct bearing on career opportunities. LinkedIn data showed that Indian job applicants with an inside connection were nearly 8.5 times more likely to get hired than those without one.

Globally, 27% of Gen Z professionals said they found their next opportunity through professional communities online, according to LinkedIn. The company also found that members are almost three times as likely to receive connection requests if they have interacted with posts from their network.

Yet many young professionals are figuring out networking on their own. Nearly three in five Indian Gen Z professionals (59%) said no one had clearly shown them how to build professional relationships.

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The gap is also visible across generations. While younger professionals worry about approaching people they do not know, 92% of Millennials and 95% of Gen X professionals said they would help someone at the start of their career, even if they did not know them.

"As jobs evolve and career paths become less linear, the ability to build meaningful relationships is becoming just as important as building skills.

The good news is that networking doesn't have to mean cold outreach or awkward introductions. Over time, small interactions build trust, expand your circle, and can lead to opportunities, insights, and support when you need it most," LinkedIn Career Expert and India Senior Managing Editor Nirajita Banerjee said.

The report also highlights a broader shift in how Gen Z approaches work and professional decision-making. LinkedIn said Gen Z is increasingly becoming a key decision-making group in the workforce, making professional communities and trusted voices more important for both career development and businesses seeking to engage younger professionals.

The research was conducted by Censuswide among 18,050 full-time and part-time professionals aged 18-80 between July 20 and August 11, 2026, across India, the UK, US, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, Australia, Brazil, UAE and Saudi Arabia.