Social anxiety holds back Gen Z from career networking opportunities

Nearly 83 per cent of Gen Z professionals in India are hesitant to network with people who could advance their careers, citing social anxiety and self-doubt as primary obstacles, a LinkedIn-commissioned report revealed on Wednesday.

The survey identified three key barriers preventing young workers from seeking mentorship and making professional connections. Fear of being judged topped the list at 44 per cent, followed by concerns about bothering others at 39 per cent, and worries about sounding inauthentic at 37 per cent. Despite growing up in a digitally connected environment, many Gen Z professionals remain reluctant to leverage their networks for career advancement.

The research was conducted by Censuswide among more than 18,000 full-time and part-time workers aged 18-80 across 12 countries, including India, the United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, Australia, Brazil, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. The findings underscore a significant disconnect between Gen Z's digital fluency and their confidence in professional interactions.

The barriers to networking among young professionals suggest a need for greater emphasis on building soft skills and professional confidence during early career stages. Industry experts suggest mentorship programs and structured networking initiatives could help Gen Z overcome these psychological hurdles and access opportunities that remain unavailable due to their reluctance to reach out.