Tips to Network Remotely
As opposed to previous decades, if you want to network remotely now, it’s a whole different ball game. Instead of handing out business cards, techies are emailing resumes, connecting through tools like LinkedIn, and are posting content to their personal blogs.
Quick Tips & Tricks
Below are several tips or suggestions for networking. Feel free to try one, or all, of these:
- Attend Virtual Conferences
- Generally speaking, speaker and panel representative information is available. Consider reaching out to them after the conference and see if they would be willing to help.Â
- Drop Greetings in Calls
- Now that it’s 2021, we’re all-too-familiar with the CDC stay-home guidelines, so you can nix the “Good morning, how is your day?” part. In fact, a lot of individuals report feeling the same day-to-day.
- Block Off Down Time
- Be sure to set “Out of Office” or “Busy” time during your day so you can plan to be unavailable, or focus on a task.Â
- Create Reminders for Yourself
- When you have a lot on your plate, it’s easy to forget what time meetings are. Create reminders ten minutes before your meetings to remind yourself to prepare.
- Practice Patience
- Though instant messaging is being implemented by companies globally, it doesn’t mean you should feel obligated to reply instantly, 24/7. Similarly, a coworker in a different time zone may be enjoying their lunch. Be patient.
Network Remotely with Confidence
It’s not a secret that many IT folk use LinkedIn to find networking opportunities and potential roles. In fact, a few years ago, LinkedIn indicated that 85% of its users found jobs through networking. These tips will help improve your confidence in your ability to network.
Come prepared: if you are doing a digital “face-to-face” meeting, be sure to dress to fit the part.Â
If you haven’t already, start posting as your organization on social media. A lot of people check social media daily, and, through an article, link, or funny video, can be what brings your brand to mind.
Update your professional social media profiles. Be sure to call out any volunteering opportunities, projects, or publications that you were an integral part of.
Lists are your new best friend. Create a list at the end of each workday that has your schedule for the next day. Make note of any deliverables that are due, and a list of top priorities.
Look for opportunities to give to people in your network. Share knowledge of, reports about, or analytical findings related to your field. Alternatively, write a review about a former coworker.Â
In Conclusion
Lastly, you should know yourself better than anyone. You have the skills and experience, now you just need to ensure your brand reflects that. Setting up “face-to-face” meetings is a great way to ensure your team remains engaged. While we can’t go out for coffee, we can both join in on a webinar!
Resources & Further Reading
Costello, R. (2020, June 23). How to network during a pandemic. Retrieved January 07, 2021, from https://www.welcometothejungle.com/en/articles/networking-during-corona
Pittman, T. (2020, June 20). How to network during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond – remotely. Retrieved January 07, 2021, from https://enterprisersproject.com/article/2020/6/how-network-during-covid-pandemic
Youngquist, M. (2020, June 30). 5 Ways to Keep Networking During COVID-19. Retrieved January 07, 2021, from https://www.pce.uw.edu/news-features/articles/5-ways-to-keep-networking-during-covid-19
Zamora, J., Burnison, G., Carney, S., Guarino, A., & Ginchansky, D. (2020, April 15). Networking in the Age of COVID-19. Retrieved January 07, 2021, from https://www.kornferry.com/insights/articles/job-networking-search-coronavirus