Building a social and professional network as an expat in London is vital to achieving the perfect work-life balance. The people you choose to spend time with will help you maintain and improve your well-being. Your friends and professional contacts would often bring you out of your comfort zone and create a safe emotional space as you settle into a new city. A robust social network in London will help you feel connected to your new place and give you a sense of belonging.
It is commonly said that over 80% of vacancies in today's job market are not advertised, and people get to them by word of mouth. London offers many networking events, from casual gatherings in the pub to university alumni programs and conferences dedicated to specific sectors. Whether you're building a career, trying new things, looking to practice your English language skills, or just making friends, networking is your way to succeed in the vibrant London scene.
Developing your social network in London
Join social media
As an expat in London, a highly tech-friendly hub, you should create a profile (if you don't already have one) on popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Social media helps you connect instantly with people you meet at work events and parties, through other acquaintances, etc., and reveal a lot of information about the profiles of these connections: their interests, routine, employment status, etc. At the same time, you build your visibility too and become available for new social interactions, which may begin with a 'like' on one of your photos and evolve into a conversation about the best ongoing modern art exhibitions in London, for example.
Apart from the prominent social media brands, there are dedicated platforms for expat life, hosting forums and encouraging open conversations among expats and expats-to-be.
Important:
Obtain a UK phone number as soon as possible to make it easy for your new contacts in London to reach you. Most mobile phones take two SIM cards, so you can have your home country's SIM and your UK SIM and switch between them easily.
Express your interests
When meeting new people or creating your online profile, share some of your interests so that other like-minded people can approach you regarding a volunteering opportunity in the refugee sector, a jewellery-making workshop, or a pub crawl night in London, for example.
Follow organisations and causes on social media, post in their groups, and don't hesitate to send private messages to people you would like to get to know better. The things you are passionate about are opening the networking doors widely and often without much effort.
Organise a party
Expand your network by taking some serious action; throw a housewarming or birthday party at your house, and encourage your colleagues or close friends to bring their acquaintances. When your guests are around, be yourself, wear a big smile, and showcase your hospitality skills by speaking with everyone and making them feel welcome. Naturally, you won't be able to connect with everyone meaningfully.
However, there's a possibility that you will make at least one new good friend based on something you have in common, such as a hobby or a personality trait.
Accept invitations
The more yeses you say, the more your network grows. Of course, not all days and nights are good for social interaction, and, understandably, some evenings, all you want to do is relax on your sofa with a glass of wine and your favorite Netflix series. However, sometimes you should make this extra effort, attend a dinner, or join a few friends in the pub for after-work drinks to show that you care about spending time with the people in your network, keeping up with their lives so that you feel included.
When meeting with people from your network, you will likely meet other people, especially if the occasion is significant, such as a wedding or a birthday party.
Good to know:
Expats in London tend to celebrate their country's holidays with other expats of the same nationality. For example, attending a party for the DÃa de Muertos (Day of the Dead) or the Notting Hill Carnival is an excellent opportunity to meet international people in London.
Volunteer your time
Another way to meet new people in London while doing some good for your community or serving a cause is through volunteering. Unfortunately, many people believe that it's not worth it unless they can dedicate themselves to a purpose on a full-time basis. However, we say that every little helps and something is always better than nothing. Research what is going on in your community and what are the most profound needs that match your interests to do some good for the world while interacting with people from all walks of life and exchanging views about activism and life in general.
Are you environmentally and climate change conscious, or do you wish to promote and support young artists? Are you into scientific research and medical developments, such as curing and treating rare diseases, or do you wish to stand by people with disabilities? London has thousands of operating local, national, and international charities, covering all the good causes that may come into your mind.
Good to know:
With a breadth of volunteering opportunities to choose from, you can use this  to filter according to the interest/cause, location, and distance from the location, making it easy to find precisely what you are looking for.
Useful link:
Building your professional network in London
Understanding networking in London
Networking events are an excellent opportunity to understand who you are, what you expect from your career, and what you would like to achieve in the future. Often, we think we already know the answers to these questions; however, when verbalising our thoughts in front of others, we may find out that we are confused or uncertain.
In any case, being nervous at your first networking event is normal, especially if English isn't your first language and you are still trying to understand the rhythms of London and adapt to a new lifestyle.
So, if you are always too busy to attend networking events, retreats, talks, and seminars, or you feel overly exposed when socialising, think of all the opportunities you might miss by not being present. Are you ready to sharpen your networking skills and take your career to the next level while in London?
Networking etiquette in London
In-person networking
In a networking event, regardless of where it takes place, you want to be yourself and feel comfortable in your skin. Here are some networking etiquette tips to help you positively present yourself and land your dream job in London:
- Remember, your actions reflect your personality, and you don't want to be rude. So, never cut a person off when they are in the middle of speaking.
- Keep your mobile phone out of sight and in silent mode, and don't take any calls unless they are urgent.
- Don't be argumentative or highly opinionated in networking events; this is not the right place or time to start a debate. Remember that everyone is entitled to an opinion, and be careful when expressing extreme thoughts, as you may offend others (and lose them from your contacts list).
- As an expat, don't generalise about the people in London, and don't be judgemental about the way they do business and the London work ethics that might be different from what you have been used to before moving to London.
- At networking events, you have to give to get. Therefore, always approach people thinking about how you can help them or connect them with someone you know who would be interested in their profile. As an expat, remember that you have one additional benefit: you have an international network.
- Before arriving at a networking event, set your goals and know what you are looking for. Also, carry your business card with you in English to hand to those interested.
- Don't use the first names of the people you meet unless they have permitted you to do so.
- Remember that the first impression is the most lasting: dress in neutral colors, wear clean shoes, and groom your hair. Ensure you have confirmed whether the event organisers have set a dress code.
Good to know:
Londoners have developed what is known as "pub culture". Hence, a lot of professional networking in London occurs in pubs near offices.
Tip:
If you are a digital nomad, some coworking spaces will give you access to networking opportunities. Be on the lookout for these events when you are on the hunt for a coworking space.
Remote networking
In recent years, professional networking has also been shaped through online meetings and virtual networking events. Despite face-to-face being the preferred mode, remote networking is a convenient way to meet people from the comfort of your office or home.
The networking etiquette doesn't change massively between face-to-face and online meetings, and politeness remains critical. However, some bits and bobs will help you get the best out of online events and add new professional contacts to your list:
- At the beginning of the online event, introduce yourself in a few words, and don't oversell your skills and qualifications.
- When other people take turns introducing themselves, listen carefully, keep notes with questions to ask when given the opportunity, and most importantly, don't interrupt, do not use your phone, or work on other tasks.
- Start with an informal conversation, which will help you connect and build a rapport with the other person, thereby boosting engagement. Remember that not everyone has the same personality; some may need more time to open up than their outspoken colleagues.
- Attend online networking meetings from a quiet area with your other electronic devices on silent.
- Join the meeting prepared with a plan about what you will bring to the meeting.
Important:
Don't neglect the dress code despite being seen partially on camera.
Leveraging LinkedIn for professional networking
As of 2025, LinkedIn has over 30 million users in the UK, representing about 45% of the adult population. This makes it the most essential platform for professional networking in London. Londoners use social media extensively for networking purposes, especially Twitter and Linkedin. Facebook and Instagram are used primarily for personal connections and casual socialising, and many companies block these websites in the workplace to prevent employees from being distracted.
Optimising your LinkedIn profile
If you haven't already, make sure your LinkedIn profile is completely filled out. LinkedIn prioritises complete profiles over empty ones. Having a half-filled LinkedIn profile is like having a half-page resume. Make sure to include:
- A clear and professional headline with industry keywords;
- An engaging summary that highlights your strengths;
- Detailed experience section (keep it concise);
- Skills and certifications;
- Professional profile photo.
Building meaningful connections
The goal of networking on LinkedIn isn't to add as many people as possible. Rather, it is to create meaningful connections with people who can help you grow professionally. Focus on:
- Sending invites to managers, recruiters, or company representatives that work in your specific field.
- Sending personalised messages with your connection requests (2-3 sentences explaining why you two should connect).
- Joining LinkedIn groups dedicated to your industry or interests.
- Actively liking, commenting, and engaging with your connections' content.
- Posting quality content regularly (several times a week).
- Responding promptly to messages, invites to connect and InMails.
- Congratulating people on promotions and new jobs in a professional manner.
Good to know:
Many networking experts recommend having more than 1,000 contacts on LinkedIn to use it to its full potential. Be intentional about building your network over time.
Finding networking events in London
London offers an abundance of networking opportunities across various industries and interests. Here are some ways to find events that suit your needs:
Professional networking events
- London Chamber of Commerce hosts regular business networking events
- City Professionals Network (CPN) offers monthly networking events and educational talks
- Business Junction runs networking lunches across London
- Industry-specific events through Eventbrite
- University alumni programmes
- Sector-specific conferences and seminars
Social and community events
- Meetup.com groups based on interests and hobbies
- Expat community gatherings
- Cultural celebrations and festivals
- Volunteering events
- Sports clubs and fitness groups
- Creative workshops and classes
Hybrid networking
Many organisations now offer both in-person and virtual networking options, making it easier to participate regardless of your schedule or location.
Useful link:
Corporate culture in London
Punctuality and time management
In London, even more than in other parts of England, employees and executives are very time-conscious and value time when doing business-related activities, such as meetings, networking events, workshops, etc. When you have an appointment, if you want to be professional and respectful, you should arrive on time or just before. If you arrive late for a business meeting, it's impolite unless you have a serious excuse, which you can present with an apology.
If you know that you will be running late, call ahead to apologise and give a timeframe of how late you will be, or reschedule the meeting for a new time and day.
Make sure to check if there are any train or tube strikes when travelling to avoid any delays.
Gift-giving in business
British business etiquette doesn't praise gift-giving, and some companies explicitly prohibit accepting gifts on a legal basis. However, when gifts are received or offered, they should be neither expensive (bribe) nor inexpensive (insult). If you receive a gift in public, you should open it immediately and express your gratitude.
Also, if you have been invited to your colleague's house for dinner or a party, bring something to show appreciation, such as a bottle of good wine or a box of chocolates.
Dress code
In London's business environment, the norm is conservative attire with dark and neutral colours. If you are attending a business event and are unsure about the dress code, it's advisable to go overdressed rather than casual.
That said, most companies have established Fridays as dress-down days, when employees can bring their style to the office, as long as it's not offensive towards their colleagues and doesn't overlook the professional context.
If you are working for a start-up company, the dress code will likely be casual, and you will be free to get creative with the items in your wardrobe.
Social etiquette in London
All the above tips about meeting new people and expanding your social network aren't of any use unless you apply the correct and widely accepted networking rules to your social interactions in London. From punctuality and queuing to over-politeness and appropriate behaviour in public spaces, Londoners appreciate good manners, even on not-so-formal occasions such as riding the tube or drinking in the pub.
The art of queuing
London is the busiest city in Britain, and coffee shops, pubs, clubs, and public transport are some of the most crowded places you will find yourself in. Thus, it's essential to be aware of the number one British habit: patiently waiting for your turn. For example, if you are trying to push through the crowd at the bar to order first, don't expect any of the people queuing to approach you to get to know you better because, unfortunately, you haven't made a good impression.
Politeness is key
Being in the middle of doing something important or in a hurry is not an excuse for Londoners to skip using basic politeness signifiers such as 'please' and "thank you". If you want to make London friends, remember that they don't like to be ordered to do things; they want to be kindly asked. Of course, they can kindly refuse to do something, too.
"Sorry" is another frequently used word; never too many sorries are spoken during your time in London and the UK. Even if someone bumps into you aggressively, tell them you are sorry!
Good to know:
"Please" is usually put at the end of a request, which begins with "could", "can", and "would". However, "please" can also be inserted at the beginning or middle of a question.
If you have guests over, send text messages or give calls the next day to express your gratitude for showing up and spending time with you.
Dining etiquette
When dining out with a group, etiquette says you must wait until everyone's food arrives before you start eating. We understand that this can be frustrating, especially if your food smells nice or you are starving, but show patience unless you want people to give you dismissive looks.
Physical contact and personal space
Social kissing isn't common in England; it will be amongst women if you ever encounter it. However, a good handshake (not too firm) is the norm in social interactions among acquaintances, friends, and colleagues. At business meetings or interviews, shake hands with everyone when you arrive and leave. However, keep your handshake light, as the British aren't affectionate in public and don't like being touched, hugged, or kissed by non-family members or people with whom they aren't very close friends.
Remember that the British respect personal space, so don't stand too close to your colleagues and don't stare at other people (even if it's to admire their chic suits). Medieval chivalry has made it to modern society, and London men are still expected to offer their seat to a lady, open the door for her, offer to carry a bag, or provide their jacket.
Conversation topics
When socialising with someone you don't know very well, one of the main concerns is finding exciting conversation topics. The British have found the best ice-breaker - the weather! Especially Londoners, who get some of the most unpredictable weather conditions in the world, love to talk about the weather, and it's the safest topic one can choose to set the stage for more meaningful conversations.
Important:
Discussing how much you earn or the costs of things you own is considered rude and taboo. Never ask a person how much they earn; you will make them genuinely uncomfortable.
Tea culture
Finally, to gain more London friends, take your tea seriously, as it is part of most British people's daily routine and social life. Enjoy a "cuppa" with others, and if you are served a pot, pour tea for your friends before you do so for yourself (milk and sugar are added afterward). Your tea should not be blown on or slurped if it is too hot.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
