Virtual networking has become the norm for most of us over the past few months and it looks like it’s here to stay. However, it requires some different skills to face to face networking, so here’s our virtual networking advice to help you.
At Careers Springboard we emphasize the importance of networking as part of your job search. With 15 – 30% of jobs never being advertised networking is a great alternative to the highly competitive job application route.
Virtual networking advice
- Attend as many free webinars, online conferences etc. as you can that are relevant to your sector.
- Introduce yourself in the chat, mentioning your target job title and your LinkedIn url. It’s best to wait until everyone has joined the event, so you don’t miss potential contacts.
- During the call engage with people in the chat.
- If you’re put into breakout rooms engage fully, ask people questions, give advice, support or positive feedback. People will remember you as being helpful.
- Suggest that people share their LinkedIn url’s so that you can connect with each other and benefit from everyone’s network. Remember to follow up. If you’re sending an invitation to connect via LinkedIn remember to personalise it with a message.
- If someone mentions something they need during a conversation and you know someone who could help, connect them. You’ll be remembered by both parties for helping them solve their problem.
- Join virtual sector based groups e.g. on LinkedIn, Facebook and engage in the group, commenting on people’s posts, or sharing content.
- Sign up to a course and build rapport with the attendees. If you can connect with the tutor via LinkedIn do that and thank them for the course. Or write a post about it on LinkedIn tagging them.
- Make sure that you have a great LinkedIn headline, as whenever you comment, or post on LinkedIn this is what people will see. A great format is “I help X achieve Y by Z” You can then add some keywords that are relevant to what you do e.g. Project Manager | PRINCE2 qualified | Change Management
Practice your “Tell Me About Yourself” response
Tell me about yourself (TMAY) is one of the most common interview questions, but it’s also a question you get asked in everyday situations. Virtual networking is no different. At the start of a meeting, you’ll often be asked to introduce yourself. This is your chance to make an impact, so make sure you get it right.
At Careers Springboard we run free webinars on how to perfect your TMAY. If you’re not currently a member register for free now.
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