How do I build professional networking for my job search?

Build your network before you need it — that's the most common mistake. NBER Employee Referral Study: Referral applications have a 3-4x higher hiring rate and are cheaper for companies. LinkedIn Economic Graph: Contacts from former workplaces and university are the most active referrers. Concrete steps: (1) Optimise your LinkedIn profile and be regularly active (share, comment). (2) Connect with all former colleagues and fellow students on LinkedIn. (3) Attend industry events (online and offline) — BA career fairs, industry meetups, XING events. (4) Give before you ask — share helpful content, connect contacts, write recommendations. GDPR: When networking, only use publicly available contact information.