As millions of Americans reenter the job market, candidates will need to rely on strong professional networks to help find work. But, how do you develop your network in the “new normal” online business world?
Your LinkedIn profile is your main networking source
These days, your LinkedIn profile is your first impression, your business card and your handshake all rolled into one. So it needs to be impeccable in the same way you might want to iron your clothes before a big meeting.
The most important thing is to update your profile and your resume to reflect your current situation. Make sure your most recent experience is put together well and include profile details like location, profile picture, resume, current status and side projects.
Use LinkedIn in new ways
If you’ve been furloughed recently, or are otherwise seeking a job for the first time in a while, you may need to be reminded that it’s now okay to broadcast your availability far and wide.
Try writing and posting a LinkedIn blog with your opinions about a particular trend in your industry. List your side-project or freelance experience along with your “day job” resume.
Respond to messages and get back to recruiters who contact you. And connect with as many people as possible — because anybody can alert you to that next opportunity.
Expand to other digital channels
Once you develop your main profile as a professional “business card,” you can extend your network in any number of digital spaces.
Look into Groups on Facebook and other apps, alumni clubs, hobby groups and civic associations can all be helpful.
You can also explore other outlets with digital community features, or even old group text messages. Anywhere you can copy and paste your LinkedIn profile is a good place to try.
No matter where you choose to engage, participate often and maintain professionalism. The more visible you are, the better.
Humanize whenever possible
As you expand your network, remember that almost everybody else in your situation is also working with digital tools. Update a profile picture in the user settings of every application you use — not just LinkedIn, but also email, social media, and especially any video chat applications you’re using. Turn your camera on for any video conferences.
In general, the best way to act while networking digitally is to treat everybody with the same courtesy you’d expect through a face-to-face meeting. And, smile!
