How to Build a Professional Network as a Graduate (Without “Networking”)
Networking can feel awkward, especially when it seems like everyone is trying to sell something. Here’s a more human way to meet people whose work you admire.
This is the type of network-building I can get on board with.
I’m an extrovert, and I hate networking with a passion.
Making small talk with a room full of strangers — some nervous, some trying to sell me something — sounds like my idea of hell.
But I love meeting people one-to-one. It’s easier to get to the good stuff when no one else is listening. And by “the good stuff”, I mean the things they’re genuinely interested in.
That’s the heart of building good connections, at work and in life:
Be curious about someone else’s interests, questions and particular enthusiasms.
Be willing to talk about your own.
If that sounds like an approach you’d be willing to try, here’s how to start building a professional network that feels more like you.
1. Make an Admiration List
In a world full of noise, what do you pay attention to? The things you really love.
That’s where we’ll start.
I ask everyone I work with to make an Admiration List: a list of brands, products, services and people they admire — and why.
Give it a try. If you get stuck, make a note on your phone each time you reach for something you love: a favourite snack, sweatshirt, song or service.
Then look at your list and ask: Who are the people behind the things I admire?
For example:
Love how a brand sounds? Look for its marketing or communications lead.
Love how a product feels in your hand? Find out who works on product design.
Love how a service makes you feel? Look for the founder or someone involved in delivering it.
LinkedIn and company websites can help you find names and learn more about what people do.
Why start here? Because people who work on the things you admire may have a real connection to the details you’ve noticed. A specific, thoughtful comment can show that you’ve paid attention to their work.
2. Turn your admiration into a good question
Once you have a list of people whose work interests you, ask yourself:
If I could ask this person one thing about what they’ve made, what would I want to know?
Go full geek-o-rama.
One young person I worked with was fascinated by a designer’s choice of material. Another wanted to know what software a producer used. Another was curious about the selection criteria an editor used.
What’s your nerdiest question?
The more specific your question is, the easier it is for someone to see what caught your attention. A thoughtful note about a particular project is more personal than a broad request to “pick your brains” about an industry.
For example, you might write:
Hi [Name], I’m a recent graduate exploring [area of geekery]. I really admired your work on [specific project or detail] - I probably [use/ recommend/ enjoy] it every day! I’m curious about how you chose [specific detail]. Could I buy you a coffee to hear more about the project? No worries if not.
Keep it brief, be clear about why you’re contacting them, and make it easy for them to say no. If they don’t reply, don’t take it personally or keep chasing them.
3. Find a personal way to show your interest
A thoughtful message can be enough. But sometimes you can show your interest in a more creative way.
I believe in approaching people with generosity rather than treating every connection as a transaction. That’s why we start with an Admiration List.
The easiest things to offer are your attention and curiosity. Don’t underestimate how valued people can feel when you’ve taken the time to notice their work.
You can also use a skill or interest of your own to make your approach more personal.
Jamie had emailed several architecture practices asking for work experience, without success. Then he tried a different approach.
He was passionate about a particular type of building design. So, instead of asking for work experience straight away, he hand-delivered a letter to a couple of local practices. He asked if he could buy someone a coffee and learn more about a project he admired.
He also included a hand-drawn sketch of the building. It showed his creativity, his interest in the project and the time he’d taken to make the approach personal.
The response surprised both of us. A team invited him in, offered him two weeks of work experience and told him about an entry-level role that wasn’t being advertised.
Jamie used a skill that came naturally to him — sketching — to make his interest clear. Your way of doing that might be different. You might enjoy designing concepts, reimagining collaborations or remixing tracks.
Ask yourself: What could I make, notice or share that would show why this work matters to me?
Keep it thoughtful and manageable. You don’t need to create a big project, and you shouldn’t expect a particular response in return. The point is to make a genuine connection, not to produce free work or guarantee yourself a job.
A note about recruiters and open roles
This approach works best for making connections before you need something from someone.
If a recruiter or hiring manager is working on a specific vacancy, use the usual application or contact process for that role. A creative introduction may not be the right fit when someone is handling a live hiring process.
But when you’re exploring a field or learning about someone’s work, a specific and respectful question can be a good way to start a conversation.
Start small
You don’t need to build a huge contact list. Start with one person whose work you genuinely admire.
Notice what interests you. Ask a specific question. Reach out in a thoughtful way, without treating the other person as a shortcut to a job.
That’s one way to build a professional network as a graduate without losing your soul — and you may be surprised by who you meet along the way.
Found this useful?
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