A useful professional network is not a large list of people on LinkedIn. It’s a set of relationships with context: people who know what you do, where you want to go and why a conversation with you makes sense.

Good networking doesn’t start with a job application. It starts with relevance.

Define who you want to meet

Before sending messages, separate contacts by function:

Type of contact	What is it for
People in your area	understand skills, routine and real requirements
Recruiters	know processes, vacancies and screening criteria
Managers	understand team problems and priorities
Peers in target companies	validate culture and entry paths
Former colleagues	regain existing trust
Communities	create recurring presence without asking for favors

A good list might have 30 people. You don’t have to have 500.

Messages that open a conversation

Weak message:

Hello, I’m looking for a job. Can you help me?

Better message:

Hello, Ana. I saw that you work in operations at X in Madrid. I have experience in B2B processes and am mapping companies with international teams. Can I ask you two quick questions about which profiles usually fit there?

Message to recruiter:

Hello, João. I applied for the Operations Analyst position in Lisbon. I have 5 years of experience with CRM, reporting and process improvement in B2B teams. I saw that the role crosses sales and support, a context in which I have already worked. Thanks.

Message to former colleague:

Hello, Marta. I’m exploring customer success roles in European teams. As you worked with me on onboarding, I wanted to ask you for a quick read: do you think it makes sense to position my experience more towards CS or operations?

A good message has context, a small request and low effort for the other person to respond.

Better questions than “are there any vacancies?”

Question:

• What skills are most important in this role?
• What errors do you see in applications for this area?
• What job titles should I search for?
• Which teams are growing?
• What type of experience is most valued?
• Are there any barriers that I should anticipate: language, visa, tool, seniority?
• If you were to enter this area today, where would you start?

These questions generate information. Information generates better applications.

Keeps in touch without being pushy

After a conversation:

1. Give thanks with a specific point.
2. Register name, company, theme and date.
3. Only resume when there is a reason.

Legitimate reasons:

• a vacancy has arisen;
• the company announced expansion;
• you applied the person’s advice;
• you have a new project or result;
• the person asked you to come back later;
• you’re going to the same event.

Avoid weekly messages without content. Professional relationships are not built on demand.

30-minute routine per week

Week	Action
1	list 30 relevant contacts
2	send 5 messages with a specific question
3	track responses and request 2 short conversations
4	update CV/LinkedIn with what you learned

Give me:

• response rate;
• quality of conversations;
• new information about the market;
• discovered vacancies;
• spontaneous indications;
• clarity about positioning.

To use LinkedIn as your main channel, read How to use LinkedIn to find jobs in the European market.

Common mistakes

• Ask for a job before creating context.
• Send the same message to everyone.
• Talk only about yourself.
• Do not research the person.
• Transform conversation into informal interview.
• Ask for recommendations from those who don’t know your work.
• Don’t say thank you.
• Do not register contacts.
• Disappear after receiving help.

Useful sources

• LinkedIn Help: networking and connecting.
• EURES, to complement networking with vacancies and European mobility.
• Europass, to keep CV and profile coherent.

Professional networking is not a magic shortcut. It’s a system to learn faster, arrive with context and let opportunities make sense for both sides.