"Networking" sounds like something only adults with business cards do, but at your stage it just means having genuine, low-pressure conversations with people a few steps ahead of you. Here's how to do it without it feeling forced.
Setting up LinkedIn properly
- A clear, simple headshot — no filters, no group photo crops
- A headline stating what you're aiming for (e.g. "Aspiring Investment Banking Analyst | Year 12 Student")
- A short About section — 2–3 sentences, similar tone to a CV personal statement
- List any programmes, courses, or societies as you complete them, the same way you would on a CV
How to actually message someone you don't know
Keep it short, specific, and low-pressure. State who you are, why you're reaching out to them specifically (not a generic message), and ask one clear, easy-to-answer question — not "can we hop on a call" as an opener. Something like: "I'm a Year 12 student interested in [specific division]. I noticed you work in [specific area] — would you be willing to share what a typical week looks like?" is specific, easy to answer, and respectful of their time.
Where to actually meet people
- Insight days and spring weeks — the single best low-pressure networking environment, since everyone there expects to be networked with
- University open days and society events, once you're there
- LinkedIn alumni searches — search your school or sixth form and filter by industry
What not to do
Don't ask for a job outright, don't send the same copy-pasted message to fifty people, and don't disappear after getting a helpful reply — a short thank-you message costs nothing and is remembered.
The real point of networking at your stage
It's not about getting a job through a contact yet — it's about learning what the job actually involves so your applications sound informed rather than guessed at. That alone is a genuine competitive advantage.