{
  "id": 20126788,
  "title": "How cold messages and networking work better than AI-polished resumes in landing jobs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/how-cold-messages-and-networking-work-better-than-ai-polished-resumes",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-11-15T06:15:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/education/how-cold-messages-networking-work-better-than-artificial-intelligence-polished-resumes-landing-jobs-linkedin-report-10963753/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the age of flawless AI-generated resumes and cover letters, the adage \"it's not who you know, it's what you know\" is proving to be inaccurate. A LinkedIn report reveals that 96% of Indian professionals consider their professional network crucial to their career progression. In fact, applicants with an inside connection are 8.5 times more likely to secure a job compared to those without. The same trend holds true for younger professionals, with Gen Z job seekers having nearly 10 times higher chances of receiving a response when they have an inside connection.\n\nLocation no longer dictates career opportunities. According to Nirajita Banerjee, a LinkedIn Career Expert, professional networking can widen access to opportunities for talent even outside India's traditional hubs. The research indicates that 87% of Indian professionals believe that networks can expand access to opportunities for talent beyond India's traditional job markets, with the belief being strongest in Chennai (91%). In Pune, 50% of professionals attribute their career advancement to a combination of skills, visibility, and network, highlighting the importance of relationship-building in the competitive job market of the city.\n\nFor Anjali Shukla, a Career Advisor and Content Creator, the importance of networking became evident when she started her career without any connections. Her curiosity to reach out and ask for help led to her breakthrough. Initially, cold messages made her feel nervous, but she persisted, and the response she received was a pleasant surprise. People, including seniors, were eager to help and appreciated her initiative. This experience boosted her confidence and opened doors to new job offers and business opportunities, demonstrating that the ability to ask questions and respond effectively outweighed factors like her city, college, and degree.\n\nDespite the proven benefits of networking, many professionals hesitate to reach out. A fear of judgement (46% of Indian professionals) and uncertainty about how to begin (52% nationally) are common concerns. However, 92% of Indian professionals are willing to respond to and support someone seeking career advice, including strangers. LinkedIn Career Expert suggests starting small with a thoughtful comment, a shared interest, or a genuine question to overcome this barrier. These small steps have proven effective in building confidence, with 39% of Chennai professionals reporting that their connections made them feel more confident. Moreover, women have been leading the way in growing their professional networks, having expanded their connections at a faster rate than men over the past six years (86% vs 76%).",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "96% of Indian professionals value professional network for career progression",
    "Gen Z job seekers have 10x higher response chances with inside connection",
    "Networking expands opportunities beyond India's traditional job markets"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}