Feeling uncertain as job fairs adapt for virtual attendance?
While you might miss the opportunity to show off your stellar interpersonal skills at campus events, you can still make connections with people online. Here are five tips for growing your network during the Covid-19 pandemic.
1. Attend online events
If you hope to meet people in your industry, going to events is one of the easiest ways to do this. Plus, people are expecting you to approach them with questions and new ideas. Sign up for webinars, presentations, virtual job fairs, and online speaker panels. The University of Birmingham hosts numerous online events to help students connect with professionals in their field. Keep an eye out for industry-related events such as those offered by societies and companies as well. These often include a Q&A session at the end for a chance to gain deeper insight into your topic of interest.
2. Write your winning introduction
When contacting someone for the first time, include your name, what you are studying or where you work. Then add something that connects you with that person to begin the discussion. Maybe you want to follow up on a previous conversation or presentation you attended. Have you found an article you think someone might find useful? Or did they write an article that changed your life? If so, talk about this!
You can contact people via email or LinkedIn. Small independent organisations might rely more on different social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. You can try connecting with professionals there if other methods of communication are unavailable. Be creative with how you reach out.
3. Think about what you have to offer
As a postgraduate student, you are becoming a specialist in one particular subject. The modules you complete and field experience you gain increase your skillset to share with others. While someone else might be further along in their career, you are familiar with the most recent developments in your industry. You can provide insight into current trends and offer a fresh perspective. Recent graduates are motivated to develop creative solutions to challenges because university life requires this. Consider what strengths you have gained and how this might be advantageous to others.
Stand out from the crowd by volunteering to help with projects for which someone else may not have time. By assisting with a task, you gain experience and they enjoy free help. Once people realise how amazing you are, they might recommend you for a job opening or introduce you to others in their network.
4. Participate in LinkedIn and other social media
LinkedIn is a great professional networking tool. You can connect with people in your sector, follow leading organisations, and join alumni groups. Use the ‘Alumni’ tool on the University of Birmingham’s page to find graduates in your country and companies employing past students. Send a personalized message when requesting to connect with people or asking for an introduction.
Follow leaders in your industry. Interact with their content on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and blogs. Social media is a rich resource for information to help you understand a company’s mission and how they operate. This offers a great conversation starter when meeting people for the first time.
5. Utilise the Careers Network
Students have free access to the Careers Network up to two years after graduation. This means you are supported by a team of friendly, knowledgeable people committed to helping students succeed in their careers. Attend events and find resources for job opportunities, mock interviews, CV reviews, cover letters, and internships. Learn more and contact the team for personalised advice. Current students can access all online resources here.
When starting a conversation, be confident and kind. The worst thing that could happen is you never receive a response. However, more practise makes it easier to network in the future. Connect with colleagues, fellow students, internship supervisors, and postgraduate tutors. You have a huge network just by being at the University of Birmingham. As much as you look up to someone with more experience, you never know when someone else is looking to you for inspiration and advice.
Thanks for reading!
Grace