Jobseeker tips: 6 ways to build a network when you work from home

 

Set networking goals and intentions

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How do you approach building a professional network? The first step is to set your networking goals and intentions. For instance:

• How many new people do you want to connect with each week?
• How many online groups do you want to join each month?
• How many online events do you want to attend each month?
• Which industry or job title do you want to focus on?
• Which company do you want to build contacts within?

There are three main benefits to creating networking goals and intentions. First, it’s a way to measure your performance which can help you to stay on track and assess your progress. Second, it gives your network building a clear sense of purpose, helping you to focus your efforts on what really matters. Third, it maintains your motivation to build that network.

 

Make good use of social media

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You probably use social media to talk to friends and family, so why not take advantage of all that it has to offer on a professional basis too? Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are great places to network remotely. Use them to connect with professionals in your field, join industry-related groups, and share your own expertise and knowledge.

The social media channel(s) you choose will depend on your networking goals and intentions, who you want to reach, and which platforms you’re comfortable using. For instance, if you’re already familiar with Facebook and you know that your ideal employer has an active online presence there, that platform is sure to be a great fit.

Consider signing up for unfamiliar social media platforms too. You may be surprised by the connections you can make on niche social media sites like Behance for creatives or Stack Overflow for IT professionals.

Finally, don’t forget to spend time crafting your social media profile. Make sure the photo you use reflects the impression you want to give and that you list all of the skills, qualifications, and keywords that will attract the right recruiters and employers.

 

Reach out to the people you already know

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Networking isn’t just about finding new people to connect with; what about the people you already know? Don’t forget or be afraid to reach out to your existing network. That might be friends, family, classmates from school or university, colleagues (past or present), mentors, or past employers. Connect with them on social media, drop them an email, give them a phone call, or meet up in person.

By letting your existing network know that you’re looking for a new job, you open yourself up to a wider pool of job opportunities and business introductions.

 

Attend virtual events

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Whether you choose networking events, webinars, or workshops, virtual events can be a useful way to brush up your skills and gain new knowledge within your field alongside making new connections. Beyond the convenience of attending a virtual event from the comfort of your desk, they often provide opportunities to interact with both attendees and presenters.

Virtual events will often be promoted in social media groups and other online communities, or you may find out about them through your network.

 

Interact in online communities

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Whether it’s a Facebook group relevant to your career or a business membership suitable for your industry, online communities can provide a wealth of new connections along with the chance to grow your knowledge, ask questions, and join in with discussions. The greatest benefits come from interacting with other community members. The more you comment or post, the more other members will get to know you.

You’ll often see vacancies talked about in online communities that haven’t been widely advertised and the more visible you are in the community, the more people may think of you when they or a business contact have a job to fill.

 

Personalise your outreach and always follow up

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When you reach out to someone new to make a connection, make it clear why you’ve contacted them. Instead of sending a generic request or message, take the time to explain why you would like to connect with them. If you simply ask to connect and don’t say why, you leave it up to the other person to guess. They may do their research and come to the right conclusion, for instance, you’re interested in making connections with people who are in the same industry as you, or they may simply say no because they can’t see any benefit to accepting your connection request.

After making a new contact, follow up with a personalised message that expresses your thanks. This provides you with a useful opportunity to strike up a conversation and begin to build a professional relationship.

 

Wrapping it up

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Networking as a jobseeker when you work from home can be challenging, but it’s not insurmountable. By setting clear goals and intentions, utilising social media, reaching out to your existing network, attending virtual events, joining and interacting in online communities, personalising your outreach, and following up with new connections, you can build a supportive network that will benefit both your job search and your career development.

Networking is all about building relationships so approach each new connection in an honest and transparent way that reflects who you are as a professional and as a person. Be patient, consistent, and confident. Remember that you bring as much value to your network as they do to you.

Start by reaching out to one new person today, joining an online community, or signing up for a virtual event. Good luck.