Employment
“You just need to network more!” Right?
That’s the advice we all hear when struggling to find a job, receive opportunities, or make new friends. But what does networking really mean, and how do you actually do it, without feeling fake or pushy?
Many people see networking as fake, manipulative, or only for extroverts and job seekers. At its core, it is about building real relationships — not collecting business cards or LinkedIn connections.
The themes discussed in this lesson are about being curious, showing up, and creating value for others, which in turn can help open doors towards possibilities. Relationships grow stronger when both sides give and receive, so we hope you’ll gain enough courage and skills from reading this, to go out and explore connections into the world.
What is networking?
It’s not just about “meeting people” , “putting yourself out there”, or “building social capital” - think of it as cultivating a community.
At its heart, networking is about belonging, shared growth, and exchange — not transactions. It’s closer to gardening than accounting: you plant seeds, nurture relationships, and enjoy the growth together.
Networks are as much assets, as they are ecosystems. By joining groups, circles, or communities, you gain collective strength and identity.
When it comes to how to network, here are some tips on how you can get started, regardless of your current experience in social interactions:
Curiosity - Are you actually interested, or are you in there just for the potential gain? If you’re not a naturally curious or a problem-solver type of person, you may have a harder time, but there are traits you can develop in adulthood. By becoming more curious, you can develop a variety of interests, diverse skills, leading to richer conversations and finding yourself in all sorts of surprising and diverse connections / situations. If you’re not someone who is interested in people, trying the problem-solving route, or meeting others while doing things together may help you have more success in building a network.
Generosity - Offering Value is the part people forget in networking. It’s always talked about what you can get out of it, not what you give. And the giving element is the one, that attracts people to you, as opposed to always being the one seeking contacts. Share resources, advice, or contacts without expecting immediate return. Celebrating others’ wins or offer encouragement won’t cost anything, but may mean a lot to someone else.
Openness or Being Real & Vulnerable, with a dash of Passion - This is perhaps the hardest one for people, because it takes an effort to build/discover your personality to a point, where you’re willing to open it up to others. Being authentic, sharing experiences, being passionate about subjects, voicing challenges, coming to terms with yourself and letting your personality show is how people will remember you, not by your CV and job title, or business pitch.
Connecting with people online
(for those of you looking to sell or network in a business setting, check the separate section under Starting a Business)
Every online interaction — from Linkedin posts, to online courses, study groups, webinars, hobby forums— is an opportunity to learn, connect, and help others, without “hustling” or creating content. Online you can easily find the communities you’re really interested in, and engage with people who share your views.
The biggest downside however, is also because it is so easy to like or comment without real connection, it is also harder to build trust. With so many platforms, notifications, and communities these days, online interaction can feel sometimes more exhausting and less fulfilling, than in-person networking.
To be noted, that online networking isn’t about posting daily content or hustling for attention, but rather about showing up with curiosity and generosity in the digital spaces you already use. Platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram are good to stay in touch with your network, even if you don’t physically see them often. By interacting that way, people have an easier time remembering you. By engaging with people’s work in meaningful ways: leave a thoughtful comment, ask a genuine question, or share a resource that connects to what they’re doing, in the long-term small, consistent gestures matter more.
When it comes to contribution, looking for small ways to be helpful like recommending a book, forwarding an event link, or introducing two people who might enjoy meeting each other. You don’t need to be a content creator to bring value—simply being responsive, supportive, and kind goes a long way.
To make online networking truly valuable, focus less on the numbers of followers or contacts, and more on the quality of the exchanges. A single meaningful connection that grows into collaboration or friendship is often worth far more than a hundred surface-level likes.
In-person networking
In-person networking is all about being open - you don’t have to know everything, but you should be curious about learning.
When you meet people face-to-face, you were probably drawn to the event for at least one common reason, so asking open-ended questions like “What brought you here?” as opposed to coming in with a rehearsed pitch of your CV, can be a lot more welcoming. (you can still save the pitch, but for a later point of the conversation)
Relationships in person grow from meaningful interactions rather than simply collecting contacts, so messaging or online interaction to continue the connection are essential. One of the major factors for continuous growth is also location - if people are near you, it makes follow-up meetings a lot easier to arrange.
However, attending events requires more time and effort than online engagement, and some people may feel social pressure or anxiety in face-to-face settings. Your reach is limited compared to online communities, conversations happen in real time without the chance to pause or reflect, and opportunities are tied to specific gatherings or locations. A good place to start is by checking your local events - smaller happenings are usually with lower threshold to attend, and less pressure or risk for overwhelm.
For newcomers, a great starting point is joining local interest-based communities: hobby clubs, language cafés, volunteering groups, or local associations (for example, entrepreneurship societies, student unions, or cultural groups). These environments typically have a very low threshold to enter, create shared ground to talk about, which removes the pressure of “small talk” and gives you a reason to meet again.
Work-related events like seminars, meetups, or afterwork gatherings can also be great, but the overall vibe is more professional, than relaxed.” It can be a great opportunity to make connections with a future employer, so it’s always worth asking questions about people’s projects or opinions, and contribute when you have something relevant to share, as well as post-event contact follow up via Linkedin or email.
Relationships in Finland often deepen through repeated encounters and doing things together — don’t be discouraged if the first meeting feels reserved. Consistency and reliability are highly respected. Remember to be curious - even if you know nothing about a topic, you will always leave the event knowing more!