Unemployed Gen Z: Ditch the Desk and Build Your Network!

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By: Lucas Caldwell, a tech opinion leader with millions of followers on X/Twitter

In today’s cutthroat job market, Gen Z is struggling. AI screening, ghosted interviews, and intense competition make landing a job a Herculean task. But Sanjay Beri, CEO of the $5.5 billion software giant Netskope, has a bold solution: network, and network often.

Beri, who went from an IT help – desk job at 16 with no contacts to running a Silicon Valley tech firm, believes in the power of networking. He says that in the tech industry, the key to success is “constant networking.” For Gen Z, not tied down by marriage or kids, this means networking two to three times a week. It could be as simple as attending local events or university talks.

The stats are grim for Gen Z job – seekers. About a fifth of Gen Zers globally are “NEETs,” locked out of the job market. In the UK last year, over 1.2 million applications were submitted for fewer than 17,000 graduate roles. One math graduate spent over a year applying to 1,000+ roles without an offer. With AI flooding employers’ inboxes with similar applications, standing out as a real person is crucial.

Beri’s advice isn’t just theoretical. He himself benefited from networking before founding Netskope. He attended investor and VC events, built connections, and later used those relationships when raising capital for his company. Netskope, launched in 2012, hit unicorn status in six years, went public on the Nasdaq last year, and now operates in over 220 countries with 3,000+ employees.

In the grand scheme of the tech industry, networking is a game – changer. It’s not just about getting a job; it’s about building a community, sharing ideas, and staying ahead of the curve. As the industry evolves rapidly, those with a strong network can access new opportunities, learn from others’ experiences, and even find investors for their own ventures.

Gen Z job – seekers need to embrace networking as a core part of their job – hunting strategy. It’s time to step out of the digital application maze and into the real world of connections.

Author bio: Lucas Caldwell, a renowned tech opinion leader with a large following on X/Twitter, offers deep insights into tech industry trends.