Summary
The CEO of a $5.5 billion tech company says the best way for unemployed Gen Z workers to find a job is to spend two to three days a week building their network. Sanjay Beri, who runs the software firm Netskope, believes that many good jobs are never posted online. Instead, they are filled through personal connections. He advises young people to attend local events, conferences, and club meetings to meet the right people.
Main Impact
Beri’s advice comes at a time when many young people are struggling to find work. About one in five Gen Z workers worldwide are classified as "NEETs" – meaning they are not in education, employment, or training. In the UK last year, more than 1.2 million graduates applied for fewer than 17,000 entry-level jobs. Beri says that in this tough market, a strong network can make the difference between getting hired and being ignored.
Key Details
What Happened
In an interview with Fortune, Sanjay Beri shared his top tip for breaking into the tech industry. He said that sending out resumes and cover letters is not enough. The real secret is meeting people face to face. He recommends that job seekers without family responsibilities attend networking events two or three times a week. These events can be as simple as a talk by a company leader, a university event, or a local club meeting.
Important Numbers and Facts
- Netskope is valued at $5.5 billion.
- The company went public on the Nasdaq stock exchange in 2025.
- More than 30% of Netskope’s clients are Fortune 100 companies.
- Netskope operates in over 220 countries and has more than 3,000 employees.
- About 20% of Gen Z workers worldwide are NEETs.
- In the UK last year, 1.2 million applications were submitted for fewer than 17,000 graduate jobs.
Background and Context
Beri started his career working on an IT help desk at age 16 in Toronto with no connections. He later built Netskope from scratch in 2012. The company reached a $1 billion valuation (unicorn status) within six years. Beri says his own success came from attending investor events and building relationships long before he needed them. He believes the same approach can work for young people today, even if they feel they have no network to start with.
Public or Industry Reaction
Beri’s advice has sparked mixed reactions. Some people agree that networking is key, especially when AI tools flood employers with hundreds of similar applications. Others say that asking unemployed young people to attend multiple events each week is unrealistic. Many Gen Z job seekers already feel overwhelmed by the job search process, which includes AI-screened applications, ghosted interviews, and unpaid tests. Critics argue that networking events can be expensive or hard to find for those without money or transportation.
What This Means Going Forward
Beri’s message is clear: in a world where jobs are rarely advertised, who you know matters more than ever. He suggests that job seekers should stop eating alone and instead use meal times to attend events or meet people. This approach helped him raise money and build a global company. For Gen Z workers, the takeaway is that building a network takes time and effort, but it can open doors that online applications cannot.
Final Take
Sanjay Beri’s advice may not be what tired job seekers want to hear, but it reflects a simple truth: personal connections still matter in the digital age. As AI makes it harder to stand out in a pile of applications, meeting people face to face could be the best way to land a job that was never posted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Sanjay Beri say networking is more important than applying online?
Beri believes that many good jobs are never published online. Instead, they are filled through personal referrals and connections. He says that building a network over time helps job seekers learn about these hidden opportunities and get noticed by employers.
How often does Beri recommend networking for unemployed Gen Z workers?
Beri suggests that job seekers without family responsibilities should network two to three times a week. This can include attending local events, conferences, university talks, or club meetings. He says even simple activities like having coffee with a contact count as networking.
What is the "Never Eat Alone" rule that Beri follows?
The "Never Eat Alone" rule comes from a book by Keith Ferrazzi. Beri follows this rule by using meal times to attend events or meet people instead of eating by himself. He says this habit helped him build relationships that later supported his business and fundraising efforts.
