Making new professional connections can be scary for some (me) and awkward for others (also me). But, being able to do so from the comfort of my bedroom is a tiny perk of one of the most unusual periods of our lives. Whether you’re enrolled at “Zoom University” or have the work-from-home blues, here’s some age-old advice with a pants-optional twist to help shake the isolation and flex your networking muscle in our virtual world.
The Right Background
Before turning your webcam on, try to create an enclosed environment that puts you at ease and looks aesthetically pleasing for your Zoom-mates. Virtual backgrounds are great in a pinch (and sometimes even hyper realistic), but taking the time to create a space that grounds you with good vibes helps build confidence and project professionalism.
Dress the part
At least for now, the days of primping, preening and picking the perfect business-casual lewk for in-person mixers are behind us (moment of silence for the slacks that haven’t seen the light of day since February 2020). But,that doesn’t mean everything is a WFH-casual event. Now is a great time to play with casual and conventionally professional items to create a look that fits the moment.
Join the call early
Logging on to a video conference five minutes early allows for time to iron out technical difficulties and get into professional mode. Plus, it’ll give you that extra moment for the host to notice you and take note of your promptness and professionalism. You can spend a few minutes getting comfortable with the platform by identifying the chat function, mute button, and turning on your camera.
Be an active listener
Take advantage of having your keyboard at the tip of your fingers by taking great notes. Follow along closely with any presentations, highlighting information in a format that makes the most sense to you. Once the time comes, speak up! Whether you’re at a networking event or doing a coffee chat, one of the best pieces of advice that I’ve ever received is to always ask questions, even if you don’t have any.
Be prepared
If you reach out for a coffee chat, make sure you conduct your research about the person, their role and their past experiences. The true key to a successful coffee chat is preparation. Research the person you’re meeting—look at their company website and go over their career path by visiting their LinkedIn profile, and jot down some key questions you would like to ask. Some questions you may want to ask are “what are some day to day responsibilities at your company?” and “What makes interns stand out?”
Follow up
Now more than ever, it’s important to intentionally cultivate relationships online. In fact, it’s our only option in many cases. After your first meeting, send an invitation to connect on LinkedIn as soon as possible, and make sure to reference the event and your conversation. If you had a more personable coffee chat, reach out thanking them for their time and indicate your gratitude. You never know when your new professional pal might come in clutch, and you can likely help them as well!