5 Tips for Virtual Networking
Posted on Thursday, October 8th, 2020
2020 has been a difficult year for all of us. For students, finding a work placement and experience in their field after graduation has become more challenging than before, due to the economy shutdown and the social distancing rules. While students are getting more and more used to online learning and networking tools like Zoom, some may still find it awkward to connect with people virtually. The following are 5 tips for virtual networking, which can help students establish professional profiles, keep effective relationships and reach their career goals.
- Build your social media profile
Employers often use social media platforms such as LinkedIn to find potential candidates. Your profile connects you to the peers and authorities in your industry. A professional profile includes a formal headshot with a confident smile, a summary of your past educational and work experiences, and emphasizes your technical and soft skills. Using hashtags related to your field can make your profile more visible. You can also share your insights and engage with your followers. The more popularity and authority you gain, the more likely the recruiters will give you opportunities.
- Stay connected with existing contacts
If you have existing contacts such as professors, the employment support centre, and the co-op office, you can connect with them through email methods. If you need professional help these are great contacts to ask for advice. You may share your progress and update your career status with anyone you feel connected to, such as former co-workers, supervisors or your LinkedIn followers. Filter out those unresponsive contacts and invite the active ones to video chat. Doing so keeps these relationships fresh. The people you connect could lead to career opportunities and inspiration in the future.
- Find relevant online communities for professional help
Online communities are great platforms for students to find people with similar interests. Some of these communities, like Reddit forums, are free, while some others may require membership fees, such as GitHub. In these communities, you can get relevant information and insights into your field, share your experiences and knowledge, ask for professional support and be friends with industry peers.
- Research before virtual meetings/interviews
Before going to a virtual meeting or interview, you should think of the event’s purpose and prepare for the questions. Sitting in front of a screen makes you more nervous and awkward than usual if you were unprepared. If you were going for an interview, it is necessary to research the company culture and background. Websites such as Glassdoor and Fairygodboss gives you an insight into the companies from the employee’s perspective. You can brainstorm and write the ideas and future questions on a piece of paper. You will give the people you meet a great impression if you show them your dedication to the meeting.
- Be professional and confident in front of your camera
While your personality and attitude are the most important, people want to look the best in front of the camera. If you are using Zoom for most of your online meetings, there are several tips for making you appear nicer. This blog from the Zoom website talks explicitly about the setups and functions of the Zoom App. It will be useful to look at and apply.