Half of Gen Z have landed a job through networking, with 50% of respondents reporting that networking events have boosted their professional growth, according to a new survey. The study by money.co.uk surveyed 2,000 people and revealed varying attitudes towards networking across generations and genders.

The survey found that 44% of men secured a job opportunity through networking, compared to 33% of women. Furthermore, 34% of respondents said they enjoyed attending business networking events, while only 13% admitted they dreaded them. Interestingly, 20% of people surveyed reported attending networking events weekly.

With 39% of overall respondents reporting they secured a job through business networking, the findings underscore the value of these events for career progression. LinkedIn data supports this, showing that 70% of professionals hired in 2023 had a connection at their company, while 80% of professionals view networking as essential to career success.

The survey revealed that Gen Z is the most likely to benefit from networking, with half of them securing jobs through these channels. Men generally find greater success at networking events, with 44% securing job opportunities compared to 33% of women.

In-person events remain the preferred choice for 37% of respondents, while 29% of participants said they primarily use online platforms like LinkedIn to network. This trend aligns with a 2023 study that reported LinkedIn as the most widely used professional networking site among UK internet users.

Despite the benefits, the survey highlighted challenges associated with business networking. Time constraints were cited as the biggest hurdle, with 29% of respondents marking it as a concern. Confidence is another major challenge, with women feeling less confident than men. Only 19% of men reported struggling with confidence, compared to 29% of women.

Age also plays a role in confidence levels, as the over-55 age group showed the most confidence in networking. Over half (55%) of this age group reported facing no challenges at all.

The survey revealed that over a quarter (27%) of respondents wanted to see business networking in the UK become more accessible and inclusive. Younger generations, in particular, are calling for change, with 38% of respondents aged 16-24 and 37% of those aged 25-34 expressing the desire for more diversity in networking events and better digital tools.

By contrast, only 14% of those aged 55 and over felt the same. These figures suggest that as younger professionals move up in their careers, they may push for a more diverse and inclusive approach to business networking.