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More Gen Zers are calling themselves founders than ever, according to new LinkedIn research<\/a>. But when it comes to asking someone for help, 73% freeze up. Gen Zers report being held back by a fear of bothering people, sounding inauthentic or being judged.<\/p>\n \u201cGen Z knows relationships matter, but many are still figuring out how to build them,\u201d says Catherine Fisher<\/a>, LinkedIn VP and career expert. \u201cIf you\u2019re worried about bothering someone, sounding awkward, or getting ignored, it\u2019s easy to see why sending that first message can feel intimidating.\u201d<\/p>\n This lack of confidence has a real cost. Only 11% of Gen Z\u2019s job applications include an inside connection, but those applications are nearly 7 times more likely to lead to a hire.<\/p>\n Gen Zer Tracy Mendoza<\/a> knows the feeling. \u201cI used to hesitate to ask my network for help,\u201d she says. That changed after she contacted someone whose LinkedIn post resonated with her which led to landing both jobs she has today. \u201cI\u2019m certain I wouldn\u2019t be where I am today if I hadn\u2019t reached out,\u201d she says. \u201cIt made me a firm believer in networking casually and consistently, not just when you need a job.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the irony: the people Gen Z is afraid to network with are mostly willing to help. 83% of Millennials, Gen X and Boomers say they\u2019d offer advice to a total stranger, and Gen Z is just as willing, at 83%, when asked.<\/p>\n Fisher\u2019s advice for overcoming this fear is to stop thinking about it as asking for a favor and start thinking about it as a conversation: \u201cIt can be as simple as commenting on someone\u2019s work, asking a thoughtful question, or reaching out over something you have in common,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n More Gen Zers are calling themselves founders than ever, according to new LinkedIn research<\/a>. But when it comes to asking someone for help, 73% freeze up. Gen Zers report being held back by a fear of bothering people, sounding inauthentic or being judged.<\/p>\n \u201cGen Z knows relationships matter, but many are still figuring out how to build them,\u201d says Catherine Fisher<\/a>, LinkedIn VP and career expert. \u201cIf you\u2019re worried about bothering someone, sounding awkward, or getting ignored, it\u2019s easy to see why sending that first message can feel intimidating.\u201d<\/p>\n This lack of confidence has a real cost. Only 11% of Gen Z\u2019s job applications include an inside connection, but those applications are nearly 7 times more likely to lead to a hire.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n