Real-world examples of creating a networking plan that actually works

Why examples of creating a networking plan matter more than theory

You’ve probably heard all the usual advice: “Put yourself out there,” “Build your network,” “It’s who you know.” Helpful? Not really. What most people need are specific, real examples of creating a networking plan they can copy, tweak, and test.

Research backs up why this matters. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and multiple career studies have long indicated that a large share of jobs are found through personal connections rather than cold applications. Career centers like MIT Career Advising & Professional Development emphasize networking as a core job search strategy, not a side activity.

So instead of theory, let’s walk through concrete examples of how different people might build and run a networking plan in 2024–2025.

Example of a networking plan for a career changer in 90 days

Let’s say you’re working in retail management and want to move into HR. You’re not going back to school right now; you just want to transition roles. Here’s an example of creating a networking plan you could follow for 90 days.

Goal: Land an HR coordinator or HR generalist role within 6–9 months.

Target network: HR coordinators, HR business partners, talent acquisition professionals, and HR leaders in your city or in companies you admire.

Weekly actions in this plan include:

You start by identifying 20–30 people on LinkedIn who work in HR roles you’re aiming for. You save them to a list and sort them into three groups: people at your current company, people at target companies, and people in your city.

Each week, you send 3–5 short, personalized connection requests. You’re not asking for a job. You’re asking for 15–20 minutes to learn how they moved into HR, what skills they actually use, and what they look for in candidates.

You block two 30-minute slots on your calendar—say, Tuesday and Thursday evenings—for networking. During those blocks, you:

• Send connection messages
• Follow up with people who haven’t replied
• Prepare 3–4 thoughtful questions for upcoming conversations

You also commit to attending one HR-related event per month—this could be a local SHRM chapter event, an online HR webinar, or a virtual conference. The plan is not just to attend, but to introduce yourself to at least two people and follow up with them on LinkedIn within 24 hours.

Over 90 days, this example of a networking plan results in:

• 30–40 new HR connections
• 8–12 informational interviews
• A clearer list of skills you need to highlight or build
• Your name popping up repeatedly in a small, focused HR community

This is one of the best examples of creating a networking plan because it’s specific, time-bound, and realistic for someone working full-time.

Real examples of creating a networking plan for new graduates

New grads often feel like they have “no network.” That’s rarely true. You already have professors, classmates, internship supervisors, and campus organizations.

Here’s an example of creating a networking plan for a recent marketing graduate.

Goal: Get a full-time marketing role at a mid-sized company within 4–6 months.

Target network: Alumni working in marketing, your internship contacts, and hiring managers in marketing roles.

This networking plan starts with your alumni network. Many universities offer searchable alumni directories; for instance, Harvard’s Office of Career Services outlines how alumni networking works and how to approach it respectfully.

In this plan, you:

• Make a list of 25–30 alumni with marketing titles (coordinator, specialist, analyst, associate)
• Send 3–4 short emails a week asking for quick conversations about their path and advice for someone just starting out
• Ask each person at the end of the call: “Is there anyone else you’d recommend I talk to?”

You also commit to showing your work online. Once a week, you post on LinkedIn about a marketing campaign you admire, a small project you did, or an article you read. You tag companies and sometimes people (when appropriate). Over time, your networking plan doesn’t just involve reaching out—it also makes it easier for people to find you.

Within 8–10 weeks, this example of a networking plan can lead to:

• Warm referrals to open roles
• Resume feedback from people already in the field
• A better sense of which marketing niches fit you (content, paid ads, social, email, etc.)

Best examples of creating a networking plan for remote workers

Remote work changed networking. You no longer rely on hallway chats or in-person meetups—you build relationships through screens. That can be intimidating, but it can also be powerful if you’re intentional.

Consider a software engineer working fully remote who wants to move into a senior role. Here’s one of the best examples of creating a networking plan adapted to remote life.

Goal: Be top-of-mind for senior engineer roles in 6–12 months.

Target network: Senior engineers, engineering managers, and tech leads at remote-friendly companies.

This plan leans heavily on online communities and consistent visibility:

You pick 1–2 high-quality communities (for example, a professional Slack group, a vetted Discord server, or a niche forum) and commit to participating 15–20 minutes a day. You answer beginner questions, share resources, and occasionally post short write-ups of problems you’ve solved.

You also schedule a monthly “networking sprint” week. During that week, you:

• Reach out to 5–7 engineering leaders on LinkedIn
• Comment thoughtfully on their posts (not just “Great post!”)
• Ask 2–3 of them for a short conversation about how they evaluate senior engineers

Over a few months, this example of creating a networking plan builds a reputation: you’re the person who’s helpful, visible, and clearly growing. When roles open up—especially at remote-first companies—you’re not a stranger.

Examples of creating a networking plan when you’re introverted

If you’re introverted, the standard advice (“go to more events!”) probably sounds exhausting. The good news: you don’t need to become someone you’re not. You just need a networking plan that respects your energy.

Here’s an example of creating a networking plan that works for a quiet analyst who prefers one-on-one conversations.

Goal: Expand your network by 20–30 meaningful professional relationships in 6 months.

Target network: People doing similar analytical work, plus a few leaders who value thoughtful, detail-oriented employees.

This plan avoids big events and focuses on low-intensity, high-depth interactions.

You schedule just one networking call per week. That’s it. But you prepare well: you read the person’s profile, scan their recent posts, and write down 4–5 questions. During the call, you listen more than you talk, and you ask follow-up questions that show you’re paying attention.

You also use email as your primary tool. After each conversation, you send a short thank-you note and one specific thing you learned. Every 6–8 weeks, you send a quick update: what you’ve been working on, a relevant article you found, or a small win.

Over time, this example of a networking plan shows that consistency beats volume. You’re not everywhere, but you’re memorable to the people you do talk to.

Real examples of creating a networking plan inside your current company

Networking isn’t just for job hunting. Internal networking can open doors to projects, promotions, and mentorship.

Imagine a mid-level project manager who wants to move into a director role in the next 2–3 years. Here’s a real example of creating a networking plan that stays inside one organization.

Goal: Become a known, trusted candidate for leadership roles within your company.

Target network: Directors, VPs, and senior managers in related departments.

This plan starts with mapping influence. You identify who makes decisions about promotions, high-visibility projects, and cross-functional initiatives. Then you:

• Invite one senior leader per month for a 20-minute “coffee chat,” virtual or in person
• Volunteer for at least one cross-functional project per quarter
• Join one internal employee resource group (ERG) or committee and actually participate

You come prepared to each conversation with questions like:

• “What skills do you see in people who are ready for director roles?”
• “What projects or experiences would you recommend I pursue over the next year?”

This example of creating a networking plan is less about external contacts and more about building internal advocates who know your work and can speak up for you when opportunities appear.

Examples of creating a networking plan for 2024–2025 trends

Networking in 2024–2025 looks different from a decade ago. Here are a few modern twists you can build into your own examples of creating a networking plan.

Short-form content as a networking tool:
On platforms like LinkedIn, short posts and comments can be powerful. A realistic plan might include:

• Commenting thoughtfully on 3–5 posts per week from people in your target field
• Sharing one short post weekly about something you’ve learned, tried, or noticed

Over time, this can attract people to you—your networking plan becomes partly inbound, not just outbound.

Micro-communities instead of giant conferences:
Instead of massive events, many professionals are joining smaller, topic-specific groups. Professional associations like SHRM (for HR) and IEEE (for engineering) now offer virtual chapters, webinars, and discussion groups. A modern example of a networking plan might prioritize:

• Joining one association
• Attending one virtual event a month
• Following up with 2–3 participants after each event

Skills-first conversations:
With more companies experimenting with skills-based hiring, your networking plan can focus on skills rather than job titles. You might reach out to people who use the tools or methods you’re learning and ask how they actually apply them on the job.

These real examples of creating a networking plan show that the old “collect business cards” approach is outdated. You’re building a web of ongoing, skills-focused conversations instead.

How to build your own example of a networking plan (step-by-step)

Now let’s turn all these examples into something you can actually use. Think of this as a template you can customize.

Step 1: Define a clear, specific goal
Not “network more.” Something like:

• “Get a product manager interview at three target companies in 6 months.”
• “Meet 10 people who work in data science to understand entry paths.”

Step 2: Choose your target network
Decide who matters most for that goal: hiring managers, peers, alumni, internal leaders, or community organizers.

Step 3: Set a weekly rhythm you can sustain
Look back at the examples of creating a networking plan above. Most of them boil down to a small set of recurring actions:

• A certain number of outreach messages per week
• A realistic number of conversations per month
• A simple way to stay visible (posts, events, or community participation)

Your plan might be as simple as:

• Two outreach messages a week
• One call every other week
• One event or webinar a month

Step 4: Track your progress
Use a simple spreadsheet or note app. Track:

• Who you contacted
• When you followed up
• What you talked about
• What you offered to send or do afterward

Career centers like University of California, Berkeley’s Career Center recommend similar tracking so you’re not relying on memory.

Step 5: Adjust every 30 days
Look at what’s actually happening. If no one is responding, tweak your messages. If you’re exhausted, scale back and focus on fewer, better conversations. Your networking plan is a living document, not a contract.

When you put all this together, you’re not copying someone else’s life—you’re using these examples of examples of creating a networking plan as starting points and then building something that fits your own schedule, energy, and goals.

FAQ: Examples of networking plans and how to use them

Q: Can you give a simple example of a networking plan for someone with very little time?
Yes. Here’s a minimalist example of a networking plan: once a week, send one short message to someone you admire in your field, and once a month, have a 20-minute conversation. That’s it. Over a year, that’s 12 conversations and 52 touchpoints—far more than most people manage.

Q: Are online-only networking plans effective, or do I need in-person events?
Online-only plans can absolutely work, especially for remote roles. Many professionals build entire careers through LinkedIn, Slack communities, and virtual events. The key is consistency and follow-up. Some of the best examples of creating a networking plan today are fully virtual.

Q: What are good examples of questions to ask during networking conversations?
Skip “Can you get me a job?” and focus on learning. For example: “How did you get into this field?”, “What skills do you use most often?”, “If you were starting today, what would you focus on first?” These questions create real conversations and often lead to referrals naturally.

Q: How long should I follow a networking plan before I change it?
Give it at least 30–60 days before making big changes. If you’re not getting any responses, adjust your outreach messages or your target audience. But don’t abandon your plan after a week; the real examples of creating a networking plan that work all have one thing in common: people stick with them.

Q: Do I need a different example of a networking plan for each career goal?
Not completely different, but slightly tailored. The core structure—goal, target network, weekly actions, tracking—stays the same. What changes is who you focus on and what you talk about. Use the examples of creating a networking plan above as templates, then tweak them for each new goal.