24 Nov 2023Read of the weekRead of the week: Gen Zers network via their peers
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Gen Z is shaking up the workplace, and their networking style epitomizes the effectiveness of unconventional methods. Professional networking has been a timeless tradition, but Gen Z is redefining the game with their unique approach to peer-to-peer connections – yielding impressive results.

Author
J’Nae PhillipsJ'Nae Phillips is a Senior Insights Editor at Canvas8. After an early career working in fashion and media, her passion for culture and journalism grew and she made the transition to writing and editing full-time. She specialises in fashion, trends, cultural shifts and all of the good stuff that gets people talking.

Gen Zers have ushered in a more relaxed, relationship-driven, and global approach to professional networking, allowing them to forge quick connections with minimal pressure. What sets this cohort apart is the fact that they network continuously, not just when job-hunting or changing careers as it's become a daily practice. The results are speaking for themselves, as Gen Z is expanding their networks 28.7% faster than Gen Y and a remarkable 54.7% faster than Gen X.

This innovative approach to networking has seen Gen Z flock to platforms like LinkedIn and even use dating apps to discover networking opportunities among their peers. The shift is also evident in their preference for peer-to-peer connections over traditional top-down skill acquisition – 85.4 million views of TikTok videos tagged with #NetworkingTips underline the resonance of these unconventional methods with Zers, with a particular buzz surrounding the art of initiating conversations through LinkedIn DMs.

Catering to their desire for constant peer interaction, initiatives like The Gen Z Club provide a hub for young go-getters, while Word Tonic fosters a supportive community for Gen Z freelancers to share knowledge. Pineapple offers a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their projects, passions, and personalities, encapsulating the spirit of this new era of networking. In the age of Gen Z, networking isn't just an occasional activity – it's a way of life that's working. Their fresh perspective is redefining the landscape of professional connections and proving that the future of networking may be decidedly different.