Most professionals in India believe that having a strong network can help them progress in their careers and to move ahead in life, reveals a report.

The findings by ‘LinkedIn Opportunity Index 2020 report’ showed that 88% of Indian professionals believe knowing the right people is key to getting ahead in life, while  only 13% are looking for networking opportunities. This vast difference between awareness and action suggests that while young professionals in India aspire for stronger networks, they lack necessary direction and guidance to build these networks.

The report stated that this barrier is visible across Asia Pacific, with a majority of respondents (51%) believing that a lack of networks is a difficult barrier to overcome and this is mainly because they lack the confidence and guidance on how to go about building a network.

Further, the report talked about socioeconomic barriers – specifically where you live, where you went to school or college, where you work ? and an impact on opportunities.

Based on LinkedIn data, findings claimed members in India living in metro cities are 1.76x more likely to have a stronger network than those living in non-metro areas. Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR are the top 3 regions with people with stronger networks, with members in Bengaluru leading the national average. Members who attend a top university are 1.53x more likely to have a stronger network than those who didn't.

Ashutosh Gupta, India Country Manager, LinkedIn said, “It is important for our members to know that they are not alone in these times of social distancing. By staying connected virtually, professionals can help each other seek new opportunities, connections, and navigate challenges together. It is our constant endeavour to ensure that people with equal talent have equal access to opportunities, and we are seeing the community come together to give help and get help like never before. We encourage our members to continue bridging this network gap amidst this pandemic and beyond.”