There are numerous articles that explain the best way to network, which events to attend, how to keep your LinkedIn or Xing profile up to date and how to maintain new contacts. It is often emphasized that it is especially important for students, young professionals and women to network properly.

In cooperation with the opinion research institute OnePoll, we carried out a representative study among 1000 German employees to find out whether Germans network, what they do, how active they are and whether it really drives their careers forward. The following interesting results were obtained.

Only every third German is network active

Before we can look at what Germans are doing to build and maintain their network, a crucial question arises: Do Germans actually network? It is often portrayed as extremely important, and yet almost two thirds (65%) of our study participants say that they do not actively network. The majority (70%) of the other 35% consider networking to be quite or very important for their career.

Then why do we Germans stop networking? More than three quarters (77%) say that something is preventing them from networking. Of these, a third (30%) say they have too little time, one in ten (11%) sees a lack of events in the area and 36% are simply not interested in networking.

Where and why we network

A third of Germans who network do so with good reason. Half (50%) say they want to get to know people from the same industry while networking. 42% also want to meet people who are in the same professional situation as themselves and who can support or promote their own careers. One in five (21%) hopes to get in touch with people who are responsible for personnel decisions through networking.

The three most popular ways to network are to take part in a work conference (33%), talk to contacts on LinkedIn or Xing (32%) or go to events with colleagues (29%).

But that doesn’t seem like the best strategy, because most opportunities arise at recruitment fairs and career days of companies, where almost 40% have already been invited to an interview or have been offered a job or a promotion.

However, those who allegedly do not network are still not idle: almost half of all survey participants state that they meet at least once a year with former colleagues (48%) or other professional contacts (47%), to talk about work. Maintaining professional contacts in particular is probably a good idea, because a third (34%) of all respondents were offered an interview, a job or a promotion as a result.

With vitamin B to the job

Although two thirds do not actively network, they still seem to be helpful: almost every third German has already supported the careers of others and 41% have not yet had the opportunity, but would be willing to do so. Overall, only 29% have not yet helped and would not do it.

Apparently, Germans don’t necessarily mind if someone gets their place on the office chair through relationships. Almost one in three (28%) thinks it’s fair, provided the person is good at what they do and 22% would or have already done the same. Only one in seven (15%) objects because the person may not deserve the job.

How do women and men network?

There are numerous articles that emphasize that women should network more, better and differently than men. The results of our survey confirm that many women are not doing enough for their professional network.

Because almost three quarters (73%) of the women surveyed state that they do not actively network, whereas this is the case for only 58% of the men. But 70% of the men and women who network find it equally important for their careers.

What motivates women and men

Men and women who network largely also pursue the same goals. Both 42% want to get to know like-minded people and around a third of both genders want to meet people who can teach you important skills. The top three reasons for men to be different from women are as follows:

• 41% want to meet potential customers (women: -9%)
• 25% want to meet people who are responsible for personnel decisions (women: -12%)
• 23% want to get to know people in high management or leadership positions (women: -6%)

Women network mainly for these reasons:

• 54% want to get to know people from the same industry (men: -7%)
• 41% want to get to know people from other industries (men: -8%)
• 13% want to find a mentor (men: -3%)

Where opportunities are sought and found

There are only a few differences between men and women in the way they network. Participating in a social event with colleagues is probably the most popular way of networking with 37% of women, while only a quarter (25%) of men have already participated in an event with colleagues. On the other hand, every fifth (19%) had more men at recruitment fairs, compared to just one in nine (11%) women.

It is therefore hardly surprising that the career opportunities women and men have had at networking events. Recruiting fairs and career days at companies are the most successful way of networking for men. In both cases, 42% of men were offered an interview, job or promotion. In the case of women, the various networking events are roughly in balance; only at recruitment fairs do they come off significantly worse than men with 30%. Most career opportunities arise when they get in touch with contacts on LinkedIn or Xing (38%) and at work conferences (37%), but 36% of women have already been offered an offer at company career days.

Who cares more, gets more opportunities?

If you look at how often men and women maintain their networks, there seems to be a correlation between how often you are offered opportunities and how well you take care of your network. More than half (53%) of men meet with professional contacts at least once a year to talk about work, and one in eight (13%) men even meet once a month. Most of all, women look after former colleagues, who 44% meet at least once a year and 20% even several times a year to talk about work.

The three biggest barriers that keep men and women from networking are the same for both sexes: a lack of interest in networking, lack of time and too few events nearby. Another obstacle that is greater for women than for men is the fear of meeting new people.

Networking is worth it – the young people show it

Networking is often presented as particularly important, especially for young people. It is all the more gratifying that almost 60% of Millennials (18 to 34 year olds) actively network. For the 55+ generation, it is only one in five (22%). Millennials also rate networking as much more important than the German average: nine out of ten say it is quite or very important for their careers.

Meeting people from the same industry and like-minded people are an important reason to network for all ages. Interestingly, almost a quarter (24%) of 35 to 44 year olds would like to get to know someone who works in their dream company, compared to only one in six (16%) of younger people.

The Greatest successes for millennials

Apparently, millennials’ efforts are paying off too. Almost two thirds (64%) have already been offered an interview, job or promotion at a recruitment fair, and 63% also scored points at workshops. No other age group in our survey is as successful at networking. In addition, half (50%) of millennials received career opportunities through professional contacts and 44% through parents, with one in six even getting a job through their parents.

Maintain contacts regularly

In addition, they also take good care of their contacts. A sixth (17%) meet with former colleagues once a week to talk about work, and more than a third (36%) attend a webinar at least once a month.

This is actually surprising, because 30% of millennials say they don’t have enough time to network and 20% also complain that there aren’t enough events in their area. However, the older the survey participants are, the less interested they are in networking. More than half (51%) of those over 55 are not interested in it.

With networking in the management level?

In our survey, we also wanted to find out how the various job positions are networked. It is noticeable that, from junior staff to management, one of the goals is to get to know others from the same industry. It is noticeable, if not surprising, that half of those in senior management and as many as 56% of managing directors network to meet potential customers. For 47% of junior staff and freelancers, it is also important to make as many contacts as possible. In addition, 89% of senior management employees and 88% of junior staff rate networking as fairly or very important for their careers.

It is all the more surprising that only about a quarter of the young professionals attend networking events at least once a year (23%) or take part in webinars (26%). In contrast, more than half of the managing directors do this with 52% each. In general, managing directors are more active than junior employees in all networking areas in our survey – maybe that’s part of their professional success?

Online vs Offline

Apparently, Germans prefer to network offline rather than online. Only 36% of network users have spoken to a contact or a recruiter on LinkedIn or Xing. This is more than at some other offline events, but given the fact that 90% of Germans have an Internet connection, it is surprising that the number is not higher.

Even millennials don’t prefer being online to be offline. Only around a quarter of active networkers have spoken to a contact (25%) or a recruiter (22%) on LinkedIn or Xing. That seems to be relatively effective, however, because more than half (55% and 59% respectively) were offered such an interview, a job or a promotion.

Half of the 18- to 34-year-olds nevertheless take care of updating their LinkedIn or Xing profiles at least once a year, finding new contacts, talking to contacts or recruiters on LinkedIn or Xing, or attending webinars to participate.

Only about 23% of junior employees and freelancers do the same. Managers are a lot more active: half (50%) network online at least once a year.