How to Virtual Network

Networking is often described as one of the most common ways to start of your job search, but what if you’re still in school? When’s the ideal time to start networking?

The correct answer: Now. It takes tmes to build a solid network and it’ll be too late if you wait untl you graduate. Once you’re ready to start your job search, you should have your updated resume, cover leter, portolio and a signifcant list of connectons ready to go. Even when you have limited opportunites to network now due to enforced social distancing measures, that’s no excuse as you can stll start making connectons through virtual means!

In fact, for the introverts out there, it may be even easier to network online. For starters, you don’t have to worry if you’ve bad breath, something stuck in your teeth afer lunch or sweaty palms if you reach out for a handshake. But that doesn’t mean you can take virtual networking less seriously or strategically! This guide will highlight the most important points for each step of virtual networking.

How to start

The frst step is the easiest step – look through all your social media accounts. Remove any traces of embarrassing posts or photos. It may be good enough to just set certain personal posts to “Private”, but with social media companies frequently changing their privacy policies, don’t be surprised if your setngs change without notce overnight.

Once that’s done, look at developing your LinkedIn profle. Refer to other professional profles and look at how yours can match up to theirs. Look at the language used and copy the relevant keywords. It doesn’t bode well on you to have zero connectons, so link up with people you already know ofine, such as your friends, lecturers and even family members.

Look for and join relevant groups on LinkedIn, whether the groups are related to your future career or simply your hobbies. Take part in the discussions to increase your knowledge and make connectons along the way.

Once you’ve set up your digital presence, you may think it’s tme to start adding everyone to your list. Actually, hold your horses. Take some tme to understand how you should act and communicate with others, frst.

Adopt proper networking etiquettes

It doesn’t mater how hard you try to make connectons if you don’t have good manners to begin with. The diferences between networking face-to-face or virtually are slim when it comes to etquete, but you’ll stll need to behave well in a professional setng. One good tp is to always put yourself in the other person’s shoes and re-read your messages before clicking “Send”.

Quick tip! Remind yourself that if you dare not say something in someone’s face, chances are you shouldn’t do it online either!

Connecting with someone

When you’re ready to connect with someone you don’t know, it’s important to craf the right personalised message. The frst thing someone will ask themselves when they receive a connecton request is “Do I know this person?”

If they don’t, you have 300 characters available to explain your intenton and convince them to not only accept your request, but also to reply and engage with you. Always be sincere, transparent and polite when reaching out to others.

Quick tip! Establishing the connecton isn’t the end of the story. Be sure to interact with them, be it congratulatng them on a milestone or commentng on their posts.

Strengthen your network

Ultmately, it’s not about how many connectons you have, but how strong your network is. This means bringing the relatonship beyond LinkedIn and preferably to video calls, which are practcally today’s version of face-to-face meetngs, anyway.

You can also look at having virtual “dates” to make the setng more comfortable and less awkward. For example, order your favourite warm drink and get on a video conference to discuss your career aspiratons and get advice on how to prepare for your future job search.

Other questions to keep the sparks alive • What are your thoughts about the latest news in your industry? • Where do you see this feld going in the future? • What is your biggest challenge at work currently? • What training or courses should I take up to help me get into your feld? • How can I help you? Networking works beter if you don’t look at it as a means to an end. It’s not about just getng a job, but a way to progress in your development throughout your career. You’ll never lose out by having a strong network, so take the tme to build meaningful relatonships in your professional circle. Your future self will thank you for it!