Before 2020, networking was mostly done in person. There were events that you could go to where you would network with many people or you set up coffee or office meetings. For some of us who are introverts, networking events can be very draining and take a lot of energy to do well. The coffee meetings tended to get moved or cancelled, and it took time to leave the office and meet at a coffee shop. Meetings scheduled for in the office were more likely to occur as the individual you were meeting with didnt need to travel to see you, but you did have to take time to travel to them.

With in-person meetings are still not really happening (at least for now), we need to look at other ways to network effectively. As a coach who works with individuals looking for their next role, the idea of networking is critical to success. Here are five tips to consider as you look at virtual networking:

1. Consider the virtual platform you are using.

Networking calls and meetings can still be very effective when done by phone and video. If you're doing the meeting by video, make sure you have a fairly strong internet connection. Video is the next best thing to in-person networking as you can see expressions and get a feel for how the conversation is going.

For those who have more than one camera or monitor, ensure that you look toward the right camera so that you are looking at the person. Its much better to see the person you are speaking to looking at you, rather than off in a different direction.

If youre using a virtual background, ensure that it's professional and not overly distracting. And, check to make sure there are no unusual filters set. Many have seen the viral clip of the lawyer and the cat face filter. Test everything before logging in to your meeting!

2. Dress professionally.

Dress as you would if you were going to meet someone in their office if the person you were meeting was working in a professional office, you would want to dress professionally, too. As I see it, networking over video doesnt change things. If you are meeting someone to discuss employment opportunities or to simply have an informational interview, dress as if you were meeting them in person. Im still amazed at how many people are attending professional meetings in hoodies!

3. Engage in networking event breakout rooms.

Ive attended a number of conferences and events that have been held virtually over the past year. Most of these events have included smaller group networking breakout rooms. My tip here is to be present when you are put in a breakout room and turn your camera on. Many people find these a bit awkward when they are suddenly on a screen with several strangers. Be an active participant to get the most out of these sessions. Ask questions, share perspectives, and take note of people you may want to connect with offline.

4. Keep your network active while working virtually.

I used to tell people in office settings to consider getting out of the four walls and network throughout the year. You dont always have to have a reason to reach out to your network and, in fact, its best if people hear from you when you dont want something from them. Consider reaching out to people you havent spoken to for a while to find out how they are and just to connect. It will make it easier to get a meeting when you do need their assistance.

5. Think globally

. In the past, in-person networking was often the most common way to connect with people. It took a little extra effort to reach your connections who lived in different cities or countries. Now that many of us are networking in a virtual environment, consider who you want to meet or reconnect with that lives further away from you. Expand your network to include people in different locations. If you do set up meetings with individuals in different cities or countries, be mindful of their time zones.

Networking is all about relationship building and maintenance. It can be easier to connect with more people when you dont need to physically meet with them. Take advantage of this time of virtual working and connect!

Source: Lockwood, K. (2021). Five Tips For Effective Virtual Networking. Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/03/22/five-tips-for-effective-virtualnetworking/?sh=4d8bbe1f60b8. [Accessed: 19 June 2021]

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