Building a Professional Network in the United States: Practical Tips for Vietnamese People Seeking Career Advancement

Networking is one of the most important skills for career advancement in the United States — but it's also something many Vietnamese people find most difficult to do. This article will explain what networking is, why it's particularly important for the Vietnamese community, and how to practice it step by step without needing to be an extrovert or have pre-existing connections.

Networking is not "pulling strings

Many Vietnamese people hear the word networking and immediately think of scenes of "asking for favors," "begging," or even old-fashioned influence peddling. In reality, networking in America is completely different.

Think of it simply this way: networking is like knowing many people in your profession or industry. When job opportunities, new projects, or the need for advice come up — you have people to ask. And conversely, you also help others when they need it.

This is a two-way relationship, based on trust and mutual support — not a one-time transaction.

Why is networking so important in the United States?

There's a statistic many people don't know: according to surveys of the American job market, approximately 70 to 80 percent of job positions are never publicly advertised. They are filled through internal referrals — meaning someone inside the company recommends a candidate.

If you only submit applications online (Indeed, LinkedIn...) without anyone inside knowing your name, your chances of competition will be much lower compared to someone who was referred.

Beyond that, networking also helps you:

• Learn "inside information" about company culture before making a job change

• Find a mentor — someone who has gone before to show you the way

• Increase your chances of being considered for promotions when your boss remembers you

• Open opportunities for collaboration, freelance projects, or starting your own business

What difficulties do Vietnamese people commonly face when networking?

Let's be honest with each other. There are some cultural and psychological barriers that are very common in our community:

• Barrier 1 — Not wanting to "bother" others: Vietnamese people often think that taking the initiative to approach strangers is bothersome and impolite. But in America, this is completely normal and actually encouraged.
• Barrier 2 — Reluctant to talk about yourself: Our culture often teaches that "humility is gold." But in the American workplace environment, if you don't talk about your achievements yourself, no one will know to evaluate you properly.
• Barrier 3 — Only networking within the Vietnamese community: This isn't wrong — relationships within the community are very valuable. But if you only stay within that circle, you'll miss out on many opportunities from the larger market.
• Barrier 4 — Fear of language, fear of accent: Many Vietnamese people have excellent skills but are hesitant because their English isn't "perfect." In reality, Americans — especially in fields like technology, healthcare, and engineering — are very accustomed to diverse accents.

Where to start? A networking roadmap for Vietnamese people

Below are the "circles" you can tap into, from easiest to hardest:

Advice: Don't jump straight into circle 5. Start with circles 1 and 2 to practice your skills and build confidence first.

LinkedIn — An indispensable tool

If you don't have a LinkedIn account (the largest professional social network in America), create one today. This is your "digital business card" in the American job market.

A good LinkedIn profile needs:

• A professional profile photo: You don't need to hire a photographer, just a clear face photo with a simple background and neat clothing.

• A clear headline: Don't just list your job title; write what you do and for whom. For example: "Software Engineer helping startups build mobile products" instead of just "Software Engineer.

• A summary (about section): Write in the first person, concisely, highlighting your strengths and career direction.

• Intentional connections: Don't just connect for the sake of numbers. Connect with people in your industry, former colleagues, and people you meet at events.

• Regular interaction: Like, comment, or share posts in your industry. This helps you "appear" in others' eyes without needing to send direct messages.

The art of "small talk" — Purposeful casual conversation

One of the biggest differences between Vietnamese and American workplace culture is the role of small talk. Americans build trust through casual conversations before getting into important matters.

Think of it this way: before people trust you with a big project, they need to know who you are and whether you're easy to work with. Small talk is that "getting to know you" step.

Some simple open-ended questions to start conversations at events or in the office:

• "What do you work on?

• "How did you get into this field?

• "What's been the most interesting part of your week?

After the other person answers, don't just listen and then stay silent — respond with a related point from your own experience. This is how a conversation becomes a real connection.

How to approach strangers on LinkedIn — Without being seen as spam

Many people send LinkedIn messages like: "Hi, I want to connect to learn from your experience." This message is vague, has no specific reason, and usually gets ignored.

Here's a more effective message structure:

• Step 1 — A specific reason why you're contacting them: "I see you're a product manager at Company X, and I'm looking to transition into this field from a technical position.
• Step 2 — A specific, simple question: "Could you share one thing you wish you'd known before making the transition?
• Step 3 — Respect for their time: "I know you're very busy; if you don't have time, that's okay too.
• A short message with a clear objective and no pressure — the response rate will be much higher.

Informational interview — A secret weapon few Vietnamese people use

An informational interview is when you suggest meeting or calling someone who does work you want to do — not to ask for a job, but just to learn about their experience.

This is one of the most effective networking tools in America, yet it's rarely used in the Vietnamese community.

Practical benefits:

• You better understand the industry or company before making a decision

• The person remembers you — and when a position opens up, they might think of you first

• You practice professional conversation skills in a low-pressure environment

How to suggest it: "I'm researching the field of Y and I'm very impressed with your career path. If possible, I'd like to ask you about 20 to 30 minutes of your experience. Do you have time next week?

After meeting — Follow-up is most important

Many people skip this step, and this is the biggest mistake in networking. Meeting someone once without follow-up will cool the relationship very quickly.

Simple follow-up rules:

• Within 24 hours: Send an email or LinkedIn message thanking them. Mention a specific point from the conversation so they remember who you are.

• After 1 to 2 months: Send an article, news, or information related to something they care about that you happened to find. It doesn't need to be anything major — just show you still remember them.

• Regularly: Interact with their LinkedIn posts, congratulate them when they have career news (changing companies, getting a promotion...).

Remember: networking is not about collecting business cards — it's about building long-term relationships. Like a plant, it needs regular watering.

Organizations and networking communities for Vietnamese people in America

If you don't know where to start, here are some communities worth joining:

• UNAVSA (United National Association of Vietnamese Student Associations): Good for students and recent graduates.

• OCA — Asian Pacific American Advocates: Has mentoring and professional networking programs.

• PIVOT (Progressive Vietnamese American Organization): Focuses on community leadership and policy.

• Facebook groups, Slack, Discord by industry: Search for "Vietnamese professionals in tech," "Vietnamese nurses network," or your specific field.

• Local events: Meetup.com and Eventbrite often have industry-specific networking events in major cities like Houston, San Jose, Los Angeles, and many other places.

How do you know when networking is working?

Networking doesn't produce results within a week. But there are a few signs that show you're on the right track:

• ✅ People in your industry know your name and remember what you do
• ✅ You start hearing about job opportunities through people you know before they're posted publicly
• ✅ When you have questions about your field, you know who to call
• ✅ Other people start asking for your advice — you become a reference source in your field
• ❌ If after 6 months you still haven't had a real conversation with anyone in your industry outside of current colleagues — that's a sign you need to change your strategy.

A realistic 30-day networking schedule

Start small. Don't try to do everything at once.

After 30 days, you won't become a networking master right away — but you will have your first relationships built proactively and purposefully.

Vietnamese people's strengths in networking — Don't forget them

Many articles only talk about what Vietnamese people need to "fix." But we want to remind you of the strengths Vietnamese people often already have:

• Diligence and reliability: These are two qualities that American partners, bosses, and mentors deeply value. When you say you'll do something, do it right — that's the foundation of trust in professional relationships.
• Humility in the right place: In a world full of boasting, humility combined with genuine ability is a huge differentiator.
• Community spirit: Vietnamese people are naturally willing to help others in the community. Bring that spirit outside the community — help people regardless of background, and you'll receive many times over.
• Networking is not something Vietnamese people are bad at — we just aren't used to its "public and systematic" version. In fact, Vietnamese people already know how to build relationships — we just need to learn how to apply it in the American environment.