Last Updated: 27 August
Finding a job can be difficult when you don’t have professional contacts who can recommend you, introduce you to employers, or tell you about opportunities before they are advertised.
You may have heard the frustrating advice, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” While professional connections can certainly help, not having a network does not mean you are at a disadvantage forever.
Networking is a skill that can be learned. You can build professional relationships from scratch, even if you are a student, recent graduate, unemployed job seeker, or someone trying to change careers.
This guide explains practical networking strategies you can use in South Africa, including how to use LinkedIn, connect with university alumni, attend free events, approach professionals, and build relationships that can help your career over time.
Reframe What “Networking” Actually Means
Many people imagine networking as attending expensive business events, walking into a room full of strangers, shaking hands, exchanging business cards, and trying to impress people.
It doesn’t have to be like that.
Networking is simply building genuine professional relationships with people who can share knowledge, advice, experiences, introductions, or opportunities.
You don’t have to become friends with hundreds of professionals. In fact, having a small number of genuine connections can be more useful than having thousands of people on your LinkedIn account whom you’ve never interacted with.
Networking can happen through:
- University alumni networks
- Career fairs
- Free webinars
- Professional associations
- Community events
- WhatsApp or online professional communities
- Former classmates
- Lecturers and tutors
- Internships and learnerships
- Volunteering
- Industry conferences
- Online discussions
The goal isn’t to immediately ask someone for a job. The goal is to become part of the professional community in your chosen field.
Start With People You Already Know
If you believe you have “no network”, start by looking at the people already around you.
Your existing network may be larger than you think.
Teachers, Lecturers and Tutors
Former teachers, lecturers and tutors can be valuable professional contacts.
A lecturer may know:
- Employers looking for graduates
- Former students working in your industry
- Companies offering internships
- Researchers looking for assistants
- Professional organisations
- Other academics who can provide career advice
You don’t have to ask them directly for a job.
You could say:
“I’m currently looking for entry-level opportunities in my field. If you know of any companies or professionals I should connect with, I’d really appreciate your advice.”
Classmates and Former Students
Your classmates are building careers too.
Someone you studied with might eventually work at a company you want to join. Another classmate might hear about an opportunity before it is widely advertised.
Stay connected with people you studied with, especially through LinkedIn.
Family and Family Friends
Don’t underestimate people outside your industry.
A family member may know someone who works in:
- Banking
- IT
- Government
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Retail
- Finance
- Human resources
- Construction
- Education
- Manufacturing
You don’t need to ask everyone for a job. Simply let people know what type of work you are looking for.
For example:
“I’m currently looking for entry-level opportunities in IT. If you happen to know anyone working in that area, I’d appreciate an introduction.”
Former Employers and Supervisors
If you have worked part-time, volunteered, completed an internship, or participated in a youth employment programme, don’t forget those contacts.
A previous supervisor may know another employer who is hiring.
Even short-term work experience can help you build relationships.
How to Actually Approach Someone
Knowing that you should network is one thing. Knowing what to say is another.
Here are some simple rules.
1. Be Specific About What You’re Asking For
Avoid sending a message like:
“Hi, please help me find a job.”
The person may want to help but have no idea what you need.
Instead, explain what you are looking for.
For example:
“I’m a recent Business Management graduate looking for entry-level opportunities in administration or operations. Do you know of any companies I should consider, or would you be willing to give me some advice about entering the field?”
This gives the person something specific to respond to.
2. Keep Your First Message Short
Don’t send someone you’ve never met a five-paragraph explanation of your entire life.
Keep your first message:
- Polite
- Short
- Professional
- Specific
- Easy to answer
Example LinkedIn Message
Hi Thabo, I hope you’re doing well. I recently completed my qualification in Computer Science and I’m interested in starting my career in software development. I noticed that you work in the technology industry, and I’d really appreciate any advice you might have for someone trying to enter the field. Thank you.
You are not asking the person to give you a job. You’re starting a conversation.
3. Don’t Immediately Ask for a Referral
If you’ve just connected with someone, don’t immediately send:
“Can you refer me for this job?”
Sometimes a referral may eventually make sense, but first establish a genuine connection.
Ask about their career, their industry, or how they entered the profession.
4. Don’t Only Contact People When You Need Something
Networking becomes uncomfortable when every interaction is a request.
You can maintain relationships by:
- Congratulating someone on a promotion
- Commenting on an interesting post
- Sharing a useful opportunity
- Thanking someone for advice
- Checking in occasionally
- Celebrating their professional achievements
The aim is to build a relationship rather than create a list of people you can ask for favours.
Use LinkedIn Properly, Even With a Thin Profile
LinkedIn is one of the most accessible networking platforms for job seekers because you don’t need to know someone personally before connecting with them.
However, don’t simply create an account and start sending hundreds of random connection requests.
Build a professional presence first.
Complete Your LinkedIn Profile
At minimum, try to have:
- A professional-looking profile photo
- Your real name
- A clear headline
- Your qualification
- Your university or college
- Relevant skills
- Projects
- Work experience
- Internships
- Volunteer experience
- Certifications
- A short About section
You don’t need ten years of experience to have a good LinkedIn profile.
If you are a recent graduate, your projects, university work, certifications and skills can demonstrate what you can do.
Connect With University Alumni
One of the easiest ways to find professionals to network with is through your university or college.
Search LinkedIn for people who attended your institution and now work in your target industry.
For example, if you studied Computer Science, you could search for alumni working as:
- Software developers
- Data analysts
- Cloud engineers
- Cybersecurity analysts
- IT consultants
- DevOps engineers
- Database administrators
You already have something in common: you attended the same institution.
That makes your introduction much more natural.
Example Alumni Message
Hi [Name], I noticed that we both studied at [University/College]. I’m currently looking to start my career in [field], and I saw that you’ve built a career in this area. I’d really appreciate connecting and learning from your experience. All the best.
How to Find Professionals on LinkedIn
If you’re starting from zero, try this simple process.
Step 1: Search for your job title
Search terms such as:
- Software Developer
- Accountant
- HR Graduate
- Data Analyst
- Civil Engineer
- Marketing Specialist
- Financial Analyst
Step 2: Add your location
You can narrow your search to South Africa or your province.
Step 3: Look for people with a similar background
Prioritise people who:
- Attended your university
- Studied the same qualification
- Started their career recently
- Work in the industry you’re targeting
- Share useful career content
Step 4: Engage before asking for anything
Follow them and read their posts.
If they share something useful, leave a thoughtful comment.
Instead of:
“Nice post.”
Try:
“This is useful advice, especially the point about building practical experience alongside your qualification.”
This gives people a reason to notice you.
Commenting on LinkedIn Can Also Be Networking
You don’t always need to send someone a private message.
Thoughtful public comments can help you become visible within your industry.
For example, if a software developer posts about their career journey, you could say:
“I’m currently trying to enter software development, so this was really helpful. What would you recommend a graduate focus on during their first year in the industry?”
The person may respond publicly or privately.
That conversation can become the beginning of a professional relationship.
Attend Free or Low-Cost Events
Networking does not have to cost hundreds or thousands of rand.
There are often free or inexpensive opportunities available to South African job seekers.
Look for:
- University career fairs
- Employer information sessions
- Free webinars
- Online conferences
- Industry panels
- Community business events
- Professional association events
- Public lectures
- Technology meetups
- Entrepreneurship events
- Career workshops
Many events are now held online, which makes them particularly useful if transport costs are a problem.
Don’t Just Attend — Participate
Simply joining a webinar and leaving isn’t really networking.
If the event allows questions, ask one.
For example:
“What skills would you recommend graduates develop if they want to become more competitive for entry-level positions in this industry?”
After the event, you can connect with the speaker on LinkedIn.
Your message could say:
Hi [Name], I attended your webinar on [topic]. I found your comments about [specific topic] particularly useful. I’m currently trying to enter the industry and would appreciate connecting with you on LinkedIn.
That’s much stronger than:
“Please give me a job.”
Consider Professional Associations and Communities
Depending on your career, professional organisations can be another way to meet people working in your industry.
Look for relevant:
- Industry associations
- Student organisations
- Graduate communities
- Technology communities
- Business groups
- Engineering organisations
- Finance communities
- Marketing communities
- HR communities
Some organisations offer free events, student memberships, webinars, newsletters or online communities.
The important thing is to participate rather than simply join.
Informational Interviews: An Underused Tool
An informational interview is a short conversation with someone about their career and industry.
It is not a job interview.
You’re asking someone to share their experience so you can learn.
You could ask:
- How did you enter this industry?
- What skills are most important in your role?
- What mistakes should graduates avoid?
- What would you recommend someone learn before applying?
- What does a typical day look like?
- What entry-level roles should I search for?
- Which skills are employers currently looking for?
Example Request
I’m exploring a career in [field] and would really value hearing about your experience. Would you be open to a brief 15-minute call sometime in the next few weeks? I’d mainly like to learn about your career path and any advice you’d give someone starting out.
A 15-minute conversation can give you information that you might never find in a job advertisement.
Ask Better Questions
When someone agrees to speak with you, prepare beforehand.
Don’t waste the entire conversation asking questions you could easily answer through Google.
Instead, ask questions that benefit from personal experience.
For example:
Weak question:
“What does a software developer do?”
Better question:
“When you were applying for your first software development job, which skills or projects helped you stand out?”
The second question encourages the person to share their personal experience.
Networking at Career Fairs
Career fairs are especially useful for students and graduates.
Don’t walk up to an employer and immediately say:
“Are you hiring?”
Instead, introduce yourself and show that you’ve researched the organisation.
For example:
“Hi, I’m Thendo. I recently completed my qualification in Computer Science and I’m interested in software development and cloud technology. I noticed your company has graduate opportunities in technology. Could you tell me what skills you normally look for in candidates?”
This starts a much better conversation.
If the representative is willing, ask whether you can connect with them on LinkedIn.
Build a Portfolio Before You Start Networking
Networking works even better when you have something to show people.
This is particularly important for fields such as:
- Software development
- Data science
- Graphic design
- Digital marketing
- Writing
- Engineering
- Cybersecurity
Your portfolio could contain:
- Personal projects
- GitHub repositories
- Websites
- Data analysis projects
- Designs
- Research projects
- Certifications
- Case studies
- Technical articles
You don’t have to wait until you have a job before you start demonstrating your abilities.
A professional contact may be more interested in helping someone who can say:
“I recently built this project.”
rather than someone who only says:
“I need experience.”
Networking Doesn’t Replace Applying for Jobs
One important point is that networking should support your job search, not replace it.
You should still:
- Apply for advertised jobs
- Apply for internships
- Apply for graduate programmes
- Apply for learnerships
- Improve your CV
- Build relevant skills
- Prepare for interviews
- Create projects
- Monitor company career pages
Networking can help you discover opportunities, understand employers better and get advice, but there is no guarantee that a connection will result in employment.
Be Careful of Networking Scams
Unfortunately, job seekers can be targeted by scams, especially when they are desperate for work.
Be cautious if someone:
- Guarantees you a job in exchange for money
- Requests payment for an interview
- Requests your banking password or PIN
- Asks you to buy equipment from an unknown supplier
- Wants you to pay a “registration fee” before employment
- Offers unusually high pay for very little work
- Pressures you to provide sensitive information
- Uses a suspicious email address or website
A genuine professional connection should not require you to pay someone simply to introduce you to an employer.
Follow Up and Maintain the Relationship
Networking doesn’t end after your first conversation.
If someone gives you advice, sends you an opportunity, introduces you to someone, or reviews your CV, say thank you.
For example:
Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me. Your advice about building practical projects was really helpful. I’ve started working on one of the projects we discussed, and I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
If their advice eventually helps you get an interview or job, tell them.
People appreciate knowing that their advice made a difference.
You don’t need to message them every week.
An occasional genuine interaction is enough.
What to Do If You’re Genuinely Starting From Zero
If you genuinely don’t have professional contacts, don’t try to build a network of 500 people immediately.
Start small.
Your first month could look like this:
Week 1
- Create or improve your LinkedIn profile
- Add your qualification and skills
- Upload a professional profile photo
- Write a clear About section
Week 2
- Find five alumni from your institution
- Connect with them professionally
- Follow people in your target industry
- Comment on a few relevant posts
Week 3
- Find one free webinar or industry event
- Attend it
- Ask at least one question
- Connect with one speaker or participant afterwards
Week 4
- Contact one former lecturer, teacher or supervisor
- Ask for career advice
- Thank anyone who helped you
- Continue engaging with your new connections
You don’t need to do everything at once.
One meaningful professional connection every week can become a surprisingly strong network over time.
A Simple Networking Routine for Job Seekers
If you are actively looking for work, try spending 20–30 minutes a day on networking.
Monday
Find five professionals in your target industry.
Tuesday
Send two or three personalised connection requests.
Wednesday
Comment thoughtfully on industry posts.
Thursday
Look for a free webinar, career event or professional community.
Friday
Follow up with someone you’ve already spoken to.
This is much more sustainable than spending one day sending 100 random LinkedIn requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is networking really that important if I don’t know anyone?
Yes, but networking is something you build gradually.
You don’t need to start with influential contacts. Your network can begin with one lecturer, classmate, former supervisor or fellow graduate.
Everyone starts somewhere.
Is it awkward to reach out to someone I barely know?
It can feel awkward at first, but professional outreach is normal.
The key is to be respectful and avoid putting pressure on the other person.
A short message asking for advice is generally easier to respond to than a demand for a job.
Should I ask for a job directly when networking?
Generally, it’s better to start by asking for advice, information or an introduction.
Once you have established a relationship, opportunities may naturally come up.
However, if someone specifically posts a job opening, you can of course apply and mention the connection where appropriate.
How do I network if I’m naturally introverted?
You don’t have to become extremely outgoing.
Start with written communication:
- LinkedIn messages
- Emails
- Comments
- Online communities
- Webinars
You can gradually become more comfortable with phone calls and face-to-face networking.
Networking is about being genuine and consistent, not being the loudest person in the room.
How many LinkedIn connections should I have?
There is no magic number.
Having 300 random connections isn’t necessarily better than having 50 relevant people you genuinely interact with.
Focus on quality and relevance rather than numbers.
Can networking help me get a job without experience?
It can help, but it cannot guarantee employment.
A professional connection might tell you about an opportunity, recommend a useful skill, introduce you to an employer, or give you advice that improves your applications.
You still need to demonstrate that you can do the work.
What if nobody responds to my messages?
Don’t take it personally.
Professionals are busy, and many messages will go unanswered.
Keep your messages short, personalise them, and continue building connections.
If ten people don’t respond, the answer isn’t to give up. Try another ten people while improving your approach.
A Simple Rule to Remember
When networking, think:
Learn → Connect → Help → Follow Up → Repeat
Don’t approach every person thinking:
“What can this person do for me?”
Instead ask:
“What can I learn from this person, and how can I build a genuine professional relationship?”
That mindset makes networking much more natural.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need wealthy parents, influential friends, or hundreds of LinkedIn connections to start networking.
You can begin with the people you already know, then gradually expand your network through alumni, LinkedIn, free events, professional communities and genuine conversations.
The most important thing is consistency.
One connection today might not help you tomorrow. But the relationships you build over months and years can open doors you didn’t know existed.
Start with one person.
Send one message.
Attend one event.
Have one conversation.
Then do it again.
That’s how a professional network is built from zero.
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Disclaimer
CareerConnectSA publishes career guidance to help South African job seekers build professional skills, improve their job-search strategies and develop professional networks. This article is for general informational purposes only and does not guarantee employment, interviews, referrals or job offers.