3 Ways to Build Your Network Virtually

Like most things in the last several months, in-person networking events and seminars have vanished from our social calendars. And in their place — well, not a whole lot.

Lucky for us, social distancing measures have reinvigorated our craving for human connection. And professionals are using this time to develop deeper working relationships and grow their nexuses, even if it is digitally. Don’t put your career development on pause, and use these three ways to successfully build your network virtually.

1. CREATE A GAME PLAN

Be intentional with your networking goals. What is it that you’d like to achieve with your new connections? A mentor relationship? Learn a new skill? These are all questions you should ask yourself before seeking new contacts, warm or cold. And remember: be genuine. People can instantly sense when an approach is coming from a self-serving place rather than a mutually beneficial one. Each new message or introduction is a seed that may or may not sprout — and that should be OK with you. But if you’re generous and can offer something valuable in return, people will want to buy into that.

2. TECHNOLOGY IS YOUR FRIEND

Be proactive with your networking efforts by asking to schedule virtual cups of coffee with new contacts. With stay-at-home orders and other isolation measures in place, people are more open to these type of interactions. Busy schedules have cleared and important meetings indefinitely postponed — take advantage of this unique time by developing these relationships now. Pro-tip: Don’t let the meetings be a one-time thing. Make sure to nurture your new relationships with follow-up video chats and continued conversations.

3. GET ACTIVE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Just because in-person events are no longer an option, there are still various virtual opportunities to stay active in your professional community. LinkedIn is a great platform for finding topical events in your industry, especially with its unique Pages tool that enables users to drive awareness of their online events. Meetup is also a free, user-friendly online service that allows professionals to find the best, most relevant events for them. Embed yourself in the conversation and look out for ways to engage with people following the event. You never know where your next great connection will come from.

Are you looking to grow your career? Submit your resume to connect with our team of recruiters, or browse our blog for more career advice.

 

 

3 Tips to Help You Land the Job Interview

The job search is a process — a series of steps that get you from finding that perfect career opportunity to actually signing an offer letter. And the first significant hurdle to pass: landing an interview.

Job seekers often bypass this step, and instead choose to focus on preparing for the event before they’ve even been contacted by a prospective employer. Start your search on the right foot and increase your chances of getting a job interview with these tips:

1. TAILOR YOUR PROFILE TO FIT THE ROLE

So you’re the best candidate for the job? Prove it. Creating a clear and consistent professional image across all platforms helps recruiters and hiring managers quickly gauge your skill set, experience and qualifications for the specific role. This includes restructuring your resume, social media profiles and cover letter to tell the same story: that you can successfully meet the expectations of the position and deserve an interview.

Director of Recruiting Anton Cuyugan stresses the importance of forgoing fluff on your resume for tangible information like education, work experience and software skills. After all, hiring managers scan for select keywords and abilities that are applicable to the role — not if you consider yourself to be a “hard worker” or not.

Pro tip: Properly label your resume with your name and the position you’re seeking, and double-check that all files can be opened.

2. FIND AN “IN” WITH THE COMPANY

One of the most effective methods of being invited for an interview is to utilize your network. Companies are more likely to give candidates an opportunity to prove their value with an in-person meeting if they’re referred by someone they trust and have an established relationship with. Our suggestion? Leverage a recruiter’s — or your own — connections.

“If you’re applying online, you’re in a queue of 50 to 100 resumes,” Cuyugan explains. “And if the need is urgent, companies are going to go with someone they’re already talking to. We’re getting your resume to the front of the pile, and you’re also getting a personal recommendation.”

Resources like LinkedIn are also a great option to find professionals working in the company that may already be in your network. First- and second-degree connections can help make those important initial introductions and pave the way to an interview.

3. APPLY THE RIGHT WAY — AND IN A TIMELY FASHION

Following application guidelines is an early indication to future employers that you pay attention to detail and can follow through with projects. Learn the name of the hiring manager so you can personalize your communications and ensure your information is getting to the right person. It’s also a great way to lay the groundwork for the research that you’ll need to do once you land the job interview.

And if you find a career opportunity to pursue, jump on it. Applying within the first couple days of a job opening increases the chances that your resume will be properly reviewed. One follow-up email to reinforce your interest and fit for the role is also a useful tip, Cuyugan says.

Are you ready to start your search? Submit your resume to connect with a recruiter today!