Welcome Back Everyone!!
At this very moment you are probably asking yourself, how in the heck does this current atmosphere how can I be great. Create the perfect opportunity to network. Why should you network? Well the first obvious reason is you will no longer be able to use the excuse of not feeling like driving (guilty, LOL) or the time is all wrong. You can maneuver your efforts at your own pace. You can participate from the comfort of your home. No commute! You can’t beat that. Let me be the first to state that in-person interaction is the best and most proficient way to engage with other people. You can grow your notoriety amongst your peers. It can help with your growth as a person and help to further your career. I never look a gift horse in the mouth especially when it helps with a weakness. Let’s Talk!!!
Social media
Most times people let their hair down (so to speak) after work by going to the bar or a restaurant with co-workers. There are groups either within a company or outside of the company with different platforms for networking. The key is to find them and pick one to get involved with. Even though I think company involved activities are the best options, there are other groups one could connect to based on their interest in which people from the company my also be involved with. There tend to be many events after work allowing for face to face interactions. In this atmosphere, this is a time to reach out to people via platforms like LinkedIn, Alignable and other social networks not mentioned. The key is to make networking count. Get in alignment with like minded individuals and individuals in positions aligning with personal goals. Decide on what it is you want to accomplish from networking. It can be just to get your name in the mix, to share and gather information and/or to display talents while helping others. No matter what the reason is, networking should be transpiring. People are willing to give people a chance and link to them on social media more now than they were before. Have a plan for your connection. Don’t just be in it for what you hope to get out it. Be genuine and find ways to make their connection to you feel like a value add. Do not have connections on social media and never chat with them or wait to chat when you want/ need something. Connect by commented on a post with relevancy and not just with an emoji. Send an email or a chat to just say hi or (if appropriate) just to share information. Just be genuine in your approach.
At work
While working remote, be sure to pay attention to names and roles while in meetings. Again, do video chats. People become more familiar when they see a face to align with a name. Do the kind of work that gets people talking about you to others. You know what you can do, but it feels amazing when someone tells someone else knows what you can do. My mom use to say, “Don’t brag on yourself, let someone else brag on you. It carries more weight”. I love it and adopted another motto “watch me shine”. Sometimes our performance alone creates the best networking opportunities. Do not wait and assume people will acknowledge you. Assure it, make your imprint and network.
Personally
I noticed that it is not always just about what you know but about who you know 1st. Sometimes your impact alone is not enough and having another person support and back your skills is necessary for growth within company. Once you get people talking about your skills, the word travel to other conversations you are not privy to creating name recognition. Wait! What do they call that? Branding!! Brand yourself with your niche.
Side Note (wink, wink)
Some people who hold higher positions will accept a request on LinkedIn and ask to connect on FB. Make sure your FB is clear of things that would be deemed a turn off professionally. Things like consistent rated R language, partial nudity and you pretty much get where I am going with that. The purpose of the FB ask is to see you in your comfort zone. Make sure your comfort zone on all of your social networks are respectable of your career goals, especially if the platform profiles are public. Take time and network. It can be a game changer.