The Importance of Networking in a Virtual World

Networking has always been a critical part of the professional working environment, and in this post-COVID era, we have been reminded once again of the importance that networking holds, especially in our current climate. Virtual networking specifically has created even more opportunities and has made a major impact on the future of communication. Although some of us may miss attending events and grabbing coffees, there have been some plus sides to this new normal of human interaction. In this virtual world, there are no geographical location restrictions given anymore and there’s more access to a wider pool of people and organizations, which has shifted this once overwhelming task to a much more accessible and simplified experience.

No matter what professional stage you are in, it’s beneficial to make the most out of your virtual networking opportunities. Which is where Jopwell comes in, we have been implementing new strategies to create useful networking environments that benefit both our community members and our partners.

Create a Strategy

Virtual recruitment is here to stay, and there’s a few suggestions we have for you in order to maximize your experience when attending virtual events with us:

• Get a SMART goal
• Review the event agenda
• Participate during your virtual event
• Leave your contact info in the chat section

Make an Impact

Although networking may feel overwhelming at times and even may come across as a hyper-competitive activity, it’s important to remember that it’s not a competition or a numbers game. Who is in your network is more important than how many connections you have so you want to be thoughtful about who you develop relationships with. Additionally, there’s no definitive way to approach networking, but there are a few standard ways that we believe are best to leverage the chat when attending a virtual event:

• Introduce yourself to the community.
• Ask questions about company culture and benefits.
• Inquire about unique interview processes.
• Request information around professional growth.

Follow-Up

As we continue to roll out these events, we want to make sure that everyone learns something, builds something, and leaves with a sense of accomplishment. Our goal is to ensure that there is a job for everyone no matter your professional background. It’s important to attend these events to connect with at least one person or company, which is why this next step is crucial to your network building success. Following up after networking is just as important as building that initial connection. Don’t forget to get those emails and send a message asap after you’ve made a connection.

Elevator Pitch or Know Your Story

As our professional community continues to exercise their networking muscles, we want to make sure that we are there every step of the way to support how we can. A part of networking preparation is having an elevator pitch ready to go. Below are three of the most popular questions that YOU should answer when working through your elevator pitch:

• Is it ok to diverge from the generic elevator pitch, like using an ice breaker? - Yes
• How do I avoid sounding so rehearsed? - Practice
• How do I approach a potential valuable contact at a virtual event - Leveraging the chat