Online Networking: Making Connections Successfully
Book a Free Consultation5 min read. Updated on June 05, 2020
Master the world of online networking to advance your career.
If you work primarily from home, you may feel disconnected from others. Or, you might work in an office and feel like you don’t have much time to connect with other professionals outside of the office. Regardless of your situation, online networking could be the solution.
Even if you’re not feeling disconnected or lack time, online networking is still an essential skill to master.
Why?
Because professionals commonly use networking online to connect with other professionals and employers, and it’s how employers often connect with prospective candidates.
Types of online networking
From online networking events and job fairs to social media platforms, you have several options to build your professional network online.
Online networking events
A simple Google search for “online networking event” presents a lot of options. Some require a fee and are for a specific audience while many are free and open to anyone who wants to make new connections.
Once you've found an event to attend, ensure your computer is ready for video conferencing, dress appropriately, and meet some new people. When networking online, there's no need for handshaking.
Online job fairs
Whether you are currently in the market for a new job or not, an online job fair can be a great way to explore new options. Let's face it; no matter how much you love your job, there are always better opportunities out there. Just like online networking events, you can easily find online job fairs with a quick Google search.
Before the online job fair, ask yourself a couple of key questions:
What kind of job would it be?
Are your resume and cover letter ready to share?
Are there certain companies you're interested in more than a specific job title?
Put together a game plan. Research who will be representing companies at the job fair to see if there is anyone you can potentially connect with. Then, during the job fair, reach out to them. If there isn't a job fit right now, you can still make a great new connection.
As always, check and double-check your computer to ensure it is ready for an online conference. Dress as if you were attending a job fair in person – appearances still matter. Also, set your computer up so you have a pleasing background that looks professional. It doesn't have to be an office, just a clean and simple backdrop.
Social Media
Social media might be the best way to do your networking online. Here's how you can use some of the most popular social media sites for professional networking.
LinkedIn is a professional social media platform. You've probably built up a pretty good list of connections on it. Now what?
Look through your connections for people you respect highly, but haven't talked to in a while. Reach out to them via LinkedIn to say “hi” and ask them how they are doing. It's a simple way to reconnect with people.
Take a look at the LinkedIn “People You May Know” feature. Under “My Network,” LinkedIn will list people who have similar roles to yours, people with whom you share a lot of connections, or who simply live and work near you. Review these and see if there is anyone you know whom you haven't connected with. Adding a personal note to your connection request can help jumpstart the conversation.
Find and follow companies that you admire. Their posts will appear in your feed, allowing you to get a sense of what they are doing and who some of the key players are. You can then reach out to some of those people to connect.
Create and publish posts of your own. If you have a blog, great. Post some of your content to put your expertise on display. If not, post and share content you admire. It puts you out there so that your name and face show up on other people's feeds.
Interact with and post to other people’s posts and comments. You can get noticed by taking the time to comment and interact on other people’s posts. The LinkedIn algorithm is also more likely to boost your exposure when you’re interacting more frequently with others.
Expert tip: When using LinkedIn to network, ensure that your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and accurate.
X (formerly known as Twitter)
X is a lot more than just writing a short blurb about whatever crosses your mind; it is a great platform to build a network and display your own expertise.
Post about your industry frequently. Whether you have insights about new trends or want to share success stories, be sure to post on a regular basis using relevant hashtags so the right people see them.
Follow hashtags that are important to you and your industry. By following these hashtags, you'll find out who the thought leaders are out there on the subject, and you can begin to engage.
After you follow someone, comment on their posts or repost them to your own feed. This is a natural way to break the ice and create a new connection.
If you really want to deep-dive into X, consider posting a live video or even a poll. Polls are a great way to get people talking and engaged on a topic of your choosing.
Facebook can be a little bit trickier for professional networking, with most people preferring to use Facebook as their personal social media. Still, you'll find that many people also follow their favorite businesses there.
Don't underestimate the value of personal (rather than professional) connections. Look through your “People You May Know” section and see if there are any friends out there that you don't have as a Facebook friend. Add them and say “hi.” If they aren't working in your industry, chances are they know someone who does, or they know someone who knows someone — you get the drift.
Go live. Find a topic that is both timely and engaging, and post a live video showcasing your skills or knowledge. It's a great way to engage with other FB users. Just don't forget to promote the video for a week or two beforehand so people know it's coming.
Photos are a wonderful way to engage an audience, and that's what Instagram is all about. While you should keep it fun, you can also sneak in some professional networking from time to time.
Much like X, you can follow people you admire on Instagram and comment on their photos to start a connection. You can also use and follow hashtags to connect with others who have similar interests.
Always keep comments professional and polite. If you're looking to establish a professional connection, avoid commenting on factors that don't have to do with your industry or work aspirations, like physical appearance. While you might think it's a harmless compliment, it's better to avoid it altogether.
Advantages and disadvantages of online networking
Like many aspects of life, online marketing has both advantages and disadvantages. By understanding both, you can weigh your options to optimize the advantages and overcome some of the disadvantages.
Job Placement Services
Refine how you present your story with our expert services.
Advantages of networking online
Expanded reach. Online networking enables you to expand beyond your local geography and connect with people worldwide. You can easily connect with others in another state or country when networking online.
Convenience. As long as you have an internet connection, you can network online from anywhere in the world instead of having to be at a particular location for an in-person event.
Easy access to information. Networking online allows you to easily access information and learn from other professionals and leaders in your field through avenues like blogs, social media networks, and forums.
Cost-effective. Attending in-person networking events can be costly, from the entry fee to expenses such as transportation, lodging, and meals. Online networking offers easy access, as it is often free, thanks to the availability of various platforms. If it does cost to attend an online networking event, you’ll save money by not having to travel to and from the event, pay for lodging, and so on.
Disadvantages of networking online
Security concerns. Using technology, in general, comes with security and privacy risks. It should go without saying to use caution when sharing personal information online.
Can feel impersonal. Online networking can make it challenging to connect and truly get to know someone, which in turn makes it difficult to forge meaningful connections.
Get lost in the shuffle. With the millions of people online, it can be challenging to find ways to stand out from other professionals. Ways to overcome this include interacting with and commenting on others’ posts and blogs, as well as sharing your insights and professional expertise through social channels, forums, and blogs.
Communication challenges. During in-person meetings, you can read and convey body language and nonverbal cues, which aren’t available in written communications. As a result, misinterpretations can happen more easily.
5 Tips for networking online
Use the following tips to help maximize the benefits of online networking.
1. Review and update your online presence
You want to ensure your online presence is one that you’re comfortable with prospective employers seeing. You’re welcome to post what you want, though be aware that certain posts may impact your chances of landing a job.
When using social media platforms to network, for example, it’s best to avoid posting photos of yourself out there partying or not fully clothed. Political and religious posts can also rub some people the wrong way.
2. Remain positive
Avoid making negative comments about past and present coworkers and employers online. The same goes for clients and customers. You’re unlikely to make positive connections if other professionals see you posting these types of comments.
3. Master the informational interview
One of the most valuable skills you can develop during this time is conducting informational interviews. An informational interview is just what it sounds like – it's an exchange of words used to gather information.
Whether you're looking for information on a particular company or job, you can accomplish a lot just by finding someone online who is on the inside and then asking the right questions:
What is the company culture like?
What's your favorite part of the job?
The beauty of the informational interview is that it doesn't have to feel like an interview. Think of it as a conversation instead.
4. Grab a cup of (virtual) coffee
When you have an online coffee date, it should be a light and casual experience. Keep it fun, but still use the opportunity to build your professional relationships. Here’s who you can invite:
That new connection: Have you made a new connection that you've never met in person? Meet over Zoom, or a similar platform, for a cup of joe and get to know each other. It's a low-pressure way to kick off that new relationship.
That old connection: Is there a person you've been connected to forever who you've lost touch with lately? A virtual coffee date is a great way to reconnect.
A customer: Do you have a client or customer who is a champion for your business? Set up a virtual coffee chat to get to know them better.
Your boss: Why not reach out to your direct boss or someone else who's up the ladder from you at your company? This is a good chance to get to know them a little better while putting yourself on their professional radar.
5. Stay in touch
Once you've made the effort to reach out and build your network online, don't let that effort go to waste. If you don't hear back from some of the people you are reaching out to within a week or so, follow up with them.
The ones that go really well deserve a revisit, too.
Did you have a great conversation or coffee date? Send a thank-you message, or wait a bit and see if they want to do it again.
Networking online is worth it
Networking online effectively can be well worth your time. When you make an effort to establish new connections and build a stronger professional network, it can help keep your career moving forward successfully.
Is your resume ready for online networking? Submit it for a free resume review to find out!
This article was originally written by Tyler Omoth. It has been updated by Ronda Suder.
Refine how you present your story
