85 Crucial Networking Statistics You Need to Know in 2024

Communicating with each other is how humans were able to evolve as a species. It is the primary way for humankind to establish, develop, and maintain relationships. Being able to relay one’s thoughts is especially critical in business settings. But, of course, communication is not just speaking or talking, it also involves body language and listening.

Below are networking statistics that show how important communication and networking are for humans in general and for professionals and business people in particular.

General Networking Statistics

Because of Covid-19, many workers in the United States were put out of jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 9.7 million unemployed U.S. professionals as of March 2021. It put the unemployment rate to 6%, 1.6% lower than in March 2020.

Employment and Hiring Statistics

Recruitment statistics, as well as employment statistics, like the ones below, provide a clear overview of the state of employment and the recruitment practice.

• The global unemployment rate at the end of 2020 was 6.47%. (World Bank, 2021)
• In the US, the search for a job typically takes five months. (SWNS Digital)
• 99% of Fortune 500 companies use applicant tracking software solutions to manage applications. (Jobscan, 2019)
• 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before the hiring manager sees them. (TopResume, 2021)
• 43% of resumes are submitted in file types incompatible with companies’ ATS. (TopResume, 2021)
• Recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds scanning a resume. (The Muse, 2021)
• 77% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find talent. (TopResume, 2021)
• 57% of employers are less likely to interview a candidate who does not have an online presence. (CareerBuilder)
• 70% of employers use social media to evaluate candidates. (CareerBuilder)
• Social media profiles can have negative impacts on a job seeker—54% of employers decided not to hire someone based on their social media profile. (CareerBuilder)
• Only 5 out of 250 applicants get a face-to-face interview. (TopResume, 2021)
• 51% of employers research their current employees on social media. (CareerBuilder)
• 34% of employers have found undesirable content on employees’ social media posts, which led to reprimands or getting fired from the job. (CareerBuilder)
• 68% of recruiting professionals admitted that thank-you notes from interviewers affect their decisions. (TopResume, 2021)

Networking

How do employment and business success relate to networking? The numbers below give an overview of what networking means.

• 88% of professionals consider networking to be crucial in furthering their careers. (GrowMap, 2020)
• 82% participated in networking at least once per month. (Harvard Business Review, 2020)
• 1 in 4 people does not engage in networking. (HubSpot, 2019)
• 10% of conversations in the US take place with the assistance of the Internet.  (GreatBusinessSchools, 2021)
• Meetings can be time-wasters and 61% of people feel they waste a lot of time in meetings. (Project.co, 2020)
• Over half of POCs in a survey responded that they were too busy to participate in networking events. (Harvard Business Review, 2020)
• 17% of POCs do not join networking activities because they associate it with politics. (Harvard Business Review, 2020)
• In one survey, 11 respondents expressed that they prefer to network professionally via digital means. (Chakir, 2020)

Face-to-Face Communication and Networking Statistics

Networking is a valuable activity because it allows professionals and business people to expand their circle. It also enables them to find new clients, jobs, or growth opportunities. With the following networking conference statistics, one can see the value of meeting like-minded individuals in an intimate setting.

• 5% of workers liked to communicate face-to-face with colleagues. (Project.co, 2020)
• Only 5% of businesses like to meet up face-to-face with clients. (Project.co, 2020)
• 68% of professionals starting out value face-to-face networking over online networking. (HubSpot, 2019)
• 7 in 10 Millennials find that going to the office is unnecessary. (GreatBusinessSchools, 2021)
• Though there are people who find meetings to be a waste of time, nearly 100% of people say they are crucial for long-term professional and business relationships. (HubSpot, 2019)
• Around 38% of professionals attest that bars and restaurants are effective venues for networking. (Fit Small Business, 2019)
• Professionals of color prefer professional conferences for networking (73%). (Harvard Business Review, 2020)
• 15 out of 63 job-seekers rely on connections to land a job. (Chakir, 2020)
• 26.98% of respondents would rather have face-to-face networking. (Chakir, 2020)
• For people who prefer networking, 77% said they prefer it because it allows them to read the body language and expressions of other people. (GreatBusinessSchools, 2021)
• Men and women have the same chance of finding a job through networking. (Clutch, 2019)
• 35% of job seekers find out about job opportunities through friends. (Jobvite, 2021)
• 24% of those looking for work find out about job openings through their professional connections. (Jobvite, 2021)

Impressions

When meeting new people, first impressions matter. Other than that, there are communication mannerisms that can affect how one person perceives another.

• 72% of individuals say a person’s appearance and handshake impact their first impressions. (HubSpot, 2019)
• Doing eye contact 30% to 60% of the time is good practice when doing in-person networking. (Fits Small Business, 2019)
• 43% of the attention given to someone is directed to their eyes. (Fits Small Business, 2019)
• 55% of the time, what matters the most during interactions is a person’s facial expressions. (GreatBusinessSchools, 2021)

Online Networking Statistics

Of course, networking does not always have to happen in in-person settings. The advent of the internet and social media have made it possible for professionals to expand their network beyond their geographical boundaries. These networking statistics social media show how people use online social platforms to grow and nurture their connections.

• 65% of businesses like to use email to get in touch with clients. (Project.co, 2020)
• 84% of people prefer to conduct meetings remotely. (HubSpot, 2019)
• Remote meetings generate an average of 10.43 ideas compared to 13.36 in face-to-face meetings. (HubSpot, 2019)
• 59% of workers use technology more often for remote business meetings. (TechJury, 2021)
• The US has the most number of LinkedIn users: 170 million. (Statista, 2021)
• One study showed that 41.3% of individuals use LinkedIn as their main professional networking platform. (Davis, et al., 2020)
• 60.1% of LinkedIn users are aged 25 to 34 years old. (Statista, 2021)
• 84% of LinkedIn users use the site to strengthen their professional network. (AudienceProject, 2019)
• 40% of people say they conduct networking activities more online than in person.
• 27% of users on LinkedIn only have 1 to 50 connections. (Marketing Expertus, 2020)
• Only 3% have more than 500 connections. (Marketing Expertus, 2020)
• 44% of females discovered a job through online job boards. (Clutch, 2019)
• On the other hand, only 33% of men found a job through the same avenue. (Clutch, 2019)

Moreover, Covid-19 drastically changed the working life. The pandemic meant closed office doors and little to no physical contact with others for weeks or even months. Because of this, communication and networking dynamics are further changing. Virtual team statistics also show how teams are adapting.

• 67% of workers use Zoom and email to keep in touch with colleagues. (Expert Market, 2021)
• 56% of professionals preferred Slack for work communications. (Expert Market, 2021)
• Only 12.7% of respondents used Skype to communicate.  (Expert Market, 2021)
• 75% of virtual teams shared that online collaboration has made them more effective in their work. (Meluso et al., 2020)

Benefits of Networking Statistics

Sixty-four percent of job seekers report that the job-seeking process is more stressful today compared to before the pandemic. Add to that the fact that the job search takes at least five months on average, finding a new position in a different company can be challenging. Thus, it is a good idea to look towards the members of a person’s network for assistance.

• 85% of open job positions are filled through networking. (HubSpot, 2019)
• In-person meetings produce a close rate of 40%. (HubSpot, 2019)
• 66% of event planners find new clients through networking conferences. (Event  Manager Blog, 2021)
• Networking provides business opportunities (70%). (GrowMap, 2020)
• 5% to 20% of new customers are gained from trade shows. (Fit Small Business, 2019)
• 46% of freelancers find work through friends and family. (Fit Small Business, 2019)
• Regular contact with people in their network can produce opportunities, a fact that 61% of professionals agree with. (Review42, 2021)
• 60% of individuals have gotten a job through their network. (Chakir, 2020)
• One study revealed that 25% of recent hires got their jobs through networking. (Clutch, 2019)
• 26% of males got jobs because of their connections. (Clutch, 2019)
• Meanwhile, 25% of females found job opportunities because of networking.  (Clutch, 2019)
• 18% of workers applied to their most recent or current job through friends or former workmates. (Jobvite, 2021)
• 14% of workers were able to apply to their current or last job using social platforms like LinkedIn, Craigslist, or Facebook. (Jobvite, 2021)

Referrals

• Referrals are the source of 40% of hires. (The Muse, 2021)
• Though only 7% of applicants were employee referrals. (The Muse, 2021)
• 71% of US workers are more likely to participate in referral programs and in sharing open positions in their companies on social platforms. (Jobvite, 2021)
• 38% of workers participated in their company’s referral program at some point. (Jobvite, 2021)
• 82% of job seekers are highly likely to click on a job opening they see someone on their network post about. (Jobvite, 2021)

Who is most likely to share job openings on social media?

According to Jobvite (2021), these are the people who are most likely to share job openings in their companies on their social media accounts.

• 29% – Workers with children
• 27% – College-educated workers
• 26% – Married workers

Who is most likely to join their company’s referral program?

A survey by Jobvite (2021) revealed that these are the workers who are most likely to be a part of their company’s referral program.

• 54% – Workers with children
• 49% – College-educated workers
• 48% – Single male workers
• 47% – Married workers

The effects of poor communication

Networking is beneficial; however, building relationships with fellow professionals and business people can have their challenges. Often, these are due to communication barriers. Take for example remote work. In itself is a huge hurdle to overcome. But add poor communication to the mix and it becomes an overwhelming task. According to 47% of respondents, managing distractions at home is the number one difficulty in communicating with colleagues. Because of that, repercussions follow.

• 74% of people have stopped doing business with a company because they felt that the company was disorganized. (Project.co, 2020)
• 92% of respondents have had to repeat the same piece of information to two or more people within the same company. (Project.co, 2020)
• 96% of respondents think that businesses could still improve their communication and project management. (Project.co, 2020)
• 20% of an employee’s time is spent on finding information or people that can help complete their tasks. (Pingboard, 2019)

How can personal branding enhance your networking efforts?

Personal branding is an often overlooked aspect of networking that can significantly impact how others perceive you and your career growth. Establishing a strong personal brand helps professionals stand out in competitive industries and build meaningful connections. Here’s how personal branding can improve your networking efforts:

• Showcase your expertise: A well-developed personal brand allows you to highlight your skills, experiences, and unique qualities. This can make it easier for others to recognize your expertise and seek you out for collaboration, mentorship, or job opportunities.
• Build trust and credibility: Consistently sharing valuable content and insights on platforms like LinkedIn can help you establish a reputation as a thought leader in your industry. This credibility can open doors to new connections and strengthen existing relationships.
• Create a memorable impression: Personal branding helps you craft a distinct image that others can easily recall. Whether it’s through your online profile, business cards, or elevator pitch, a strong personal brand ensures that you leave a lasting impression.
• Align your network with your goals: A clear personal brand helps attract like-minded professionals who share your values and interests, making it easier to connect with people who can support your career or business objectives.
• Differentiate yourself in a crowded market: With many professionals vying for attention, personal branding allows you to distinguish yourself from others by clearly communicating your unique value proposition.

Becoming Effective in Networking

The networking statistics above show that networking is a powerful tool in professional and business settings. These numbers demonstrate that connections matter when looking for a job or new business prospects. Thus, “it’s not what you know but who you know” truly matters.

However, not everyone is interested or is effectively able to build strong professional relationships. In that case, it is time to start making changes.

Number one is to start interacting with people in your industry and other fields of interest. Because of the Covid-19 situation, conferences and other large gatherings are not possible or are not recommended. But there are online events that you can join. A visit to Eventbrite can help you find events that may be right for you. Some could even be free!

Another is to keep track of your professional connections. A good place to do that is LinkedIn, with a growing number of users every day. You can also share your thoughts and like and comment on others’ posts. This can also be an avenue for you to discover new connections.

Other than LinkedIn, you can rely on productivity tools like Evernote. While it is primarily for taking notes, it can also serve as a contacts database. This will also allow you to categorize your contacts and let you take notes or make reminders to help you keep in touch with them.

However, with connections, most of the time it is about quality rather than quantity. According to author and professor Yuval Noah Harari, humans can only form stable bands with up to 150 individuals. Today, it is possible to know people far greater than that number due to the internet and especially social media but it is difficult to have or maintain meaningful relationships. So, while it is a great idea to have a large network, it is a greater strategy to have meaningful bonds with select people.

Key Insights

• Importance of Networking: 88% of professionals consider networking crucial for career advancement. Face-to-face interactions are highly valued, especially for building long-term professional relationships.
• Recruitment Trends: 99% of Fortune 500 companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS), and 75% of resumes are rejected by these systems before reaching hiring managers.
• Face-to-Face vs. Online Networking: While 68% of professionals starting out prefer face-to-face networking, 40% of people now conduct more networking activities online. LinkedIn is the leading platform, with 170 million users in the U.S. alone.
• Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic has increased the use of online networking tools, with 67% of workers using Zoom and email to stay in touch. Virtual collaboration has also been reported to improve work effectiveness by 75%.
• Networking for Job Opportunities: 85% of open job positions are filled through networking. In-person meetings have a 40% close rate, demonstrating the effectiveness of personal connections in securing job opportunities.
• Challenges in Networking: Despite the benefits, 61% of professionals feel that meetings can waste time, and 47% report managing distractions at home as a significant barrier to effective communication during remote work.
• Referral Programs: Referrals account for 40% of hires, with 71% of U.S. workers more likely to share job openings on social media if they are part of a referral program.

FAQ

1. Why is networking important for professionals? Networking is essential because it helps professionals build relationships, find new job opportunities, and expand their business connections. 88% of professionals consider it crucial for career advancement.
2. What role does LinkedIn play in professional networking? LinkedIn is the primary platform for professional networking, with 170 million users in the U.S. alone. It is used by 77% of recruiters to find talent and by 84% of users to strengthen their professional network.
3. How has COVID-19 affected networking activities? The pandemic has shifted many networking activities online. Tools like Zoom and Slack have become essential for remote communication, with 67% of workers using these tools to stay in touch with colleagues.
4. What are the benefits of face-to-face networking? Face-to-face networking allows individuals to read body language and facial expressions, which can lead to more meaningful connections. It is preferred by 68% of professionals starting their careers and is effective for long-term relationship building.
5. How effective are referrals in the hiring process? Referrals are highly effective, accounting for 40% of hires. Employees are more likely to participate in referral programs and share job openings on social media, increasing the chances of finding suitable candidates.
6. What are the main challenges of remote networking? Remote networking can be challenging due to distractions at home and the lack of in-person interaction. Managing these distractions and finding effective ways to communicate online are significant barriers.
7. How do professionals perceive the effectiveness of networking conferences? Networking conferences are seen as valuable for finding new clients and business opportunities. 66% of event planners find new clients through these events, and they are preferred by professionals of color for networking.
8. What is the impact of poor communication on business relationships? Poor communication can lead to negative outcomes such as loss of business, repeated information sharing, and inefficiencies. 74% of people have stopped doing business with a company due to perceived disorganization.

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By Jenny Chang

Jenny Chang is a senior writer specializing in SaaS and B2B software solutions. Her decision to focus on these two industries was spurred by their explosive growth in the last decade, much of it she attributes to the emergence of disruptive technologies and the quick adoption by businesses that were quick to recognize their values to their organizations. She has covered all the major developments in SaaS and B2B software solutions, from the introduction of massive ERPs to small business platforms to help startups on their way to success.