{
  "id": 5069155,
  "title": "The DM age has a networking problem. It’s fear",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/the-dm-age-has-a-networking-problem-its-fear",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-02T10:23:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/hr-policies-trends/young-workers-networking-fear-dm-online-age-linkedin-gen-z-career-connections-new-report/articleshow/133706366.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "LinkedIn's new report reveals a networking predicament among Generation Z professionals, despite their high digital connectivity. In India, 83% of Gen Z workers fear interacting with those who could aid their careers, driven by concerns of being judged, bothering others, and sounding inauthentic. However, the report also underscores the importance of professional relationships, with 79% of Indian Gen Z pros acknowledging their value. Yet, 52% struggle to initiate contacts, and 53% find it challenging to transform connections into meaningful ties.\n\nThe same trend is observed globally, with 72% of Gen Z professionals feeling isolated from potential career mentors. More than half (53%) are uncertain about initiating professional relationships, while 52% lack the know-how to turn contacts into valuable connections. LinkedIn data shows that Indian job seekers with an inside connection are nearly 8.5 times more likely to secure a job compared to those without such a connection.\n\nThe reluctance to network could significantly impact career prospects. Globally, 27% of Gen Z professionals attribute their job opportunities to professional communities online, and those who frequently interact with their network are nearly three times more likely to receive connection requests. However, many young professionals are learning networking skills independently. In India, 59% of Gen Z workers reported having no one guide them in building professional relationships.\n\nThe gap in networking skills spans generations. While younger professionals fear approaching unknown individuals, 92% of Millennials and 95% of Gen X professionals would help someone starting their career, even if they don't know them. As careers become less linear, building meaningful relationships is becoming as crucial as acquiring skills. LinkedIn's Career Expert and India Senior Managing Editor, Nirajita Banerjee, suggests that networking doesn't always involve cold outreach or awkward introductions. Instead, small interactions can foster trust, expand networks, and open doors to opportunities, insights, and support when needed.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}