East Meets West: Decoding the Hidden Rules of Networking in India and the U.S.

By Kavikuil Sarojini E, GlobalSaké NextGen Roundtable Member

What’s the best way to land a job - by sending in a strong application or by building the right relationships?

The answer often depends on where you are in the world. While professional skills and experience matter everywhere, the path to opportunity is shaped by cultural norms, especially when it comes to networking.

Networking in India: Trust First, Opportunities Later

In India, professional advancement has traditionally centered around the formal application process. Resumes, exams, and structured interviews are the main gateways into coveted roles. Networking exists, but it usually unfolds slowly within close, trusted circles - family, friends, alumni, or referrals. Relationships are nurtured first, and professional opportunities tend to emerge later, once trust has been firmly established.

This “trust-first” model reflects a relationship-driven culture, where credibility comes from shared networks and long-term connections. It emphasizes patience, loyalty, and community ties as the foundation for career mobility.

Networking in the U.S.: Opportunities First, Trust Along the Way

In the U.S., the dynamic is different. While applications are still important, networking plays a central - often decisive role. Here, professionals readily open doors for newcomers, whether through quick coffee chats, LinkedIn messages, or alumni introductions. The focus is on immediacy: seizing opportunities, sharing insights, and creating connections in fast-moving cycles.

Trust is built through these interactions after the first contact. Someone you meet in a short call may quickly connect you to their wider network or even recommend you for a role. Networking is not confined to long-established circles - it’s open, fluid, and accelerates professional momentum.

Insights From Both Worlds

Experiencing these two approaches side by side highlights valuable lessons for navigating today’s global workplace:

• In India, networking deepens trust before action. Professional circles may feel smaller, but relationships are long-lasting and dependable.

• In the U.S., networking prioritizes access and speed. Opportunities open up quickly, creating a ripple effect of new introductions and possibilities.

• Blending the two models offers balance. Building credibility through trust while staying proactive and open to new connections can lead to more sustainable, global professional growth.

A Personal Reflection

When I first moved from India to the U.S., I expected applications alone to speak for my experience. After nearly a decade in the localization industry with global companies like Apple and Meta, I assumed my profile would stand out. Instead, I quickly discovered that applications often went unanswered - but networking conversations led to genuine opportunities.

What surprised me most was how welcoming people were. Even busy professionals made time to respond, connect me to someone else, or share valuable insights. These interactions were not transactional but generous, creating a chain of opportunities I never would have accessed through applications alone.

The Bigger Picture

Networking is more than a job-hunting tool - it reflects cultural codes of how trust, opportunity, and relationships are valued. In India, credibility begins with relationships. In the U.S., relationships often begin with opportunity.

For professionals working across borders, the key is not to choose one style over the other but to adapt, blend, and thrive at the intersection. The global workforce rewards those who can build trust while also staying agile and open to immediate opportunities.