Things are a little crazy around the world right now, but networking should never be put on hold during a recession. However, you must get creative and take your networking virtual! If done right, you can stand-out from your competition and become a digital network star.
- Set a Goal
Just like with anything, the first thing to do is set a goal! But make sure it is an achievable goal during a recession since some things have been put on hold and are delayed. Start small and then once you see some results, take it to the next level.
Examples of goals
- Connect to one new person each week (if you are actively looking for a job) or reach out to one contact each month (if you are not actively looking for a job)
- Post weekly on your social media to stay connected
- Keep a fresh list of contacts (some people may change titles or companies)
- Put in the Effort
It is really up to you now to make the magic happen. There are a lot of changes going on during a recession and you need to stay relevant by making the effort to network. This means joining online groups and reaching out to contacts. Since you are unable to attend networking events in Phoenix at the moment, you need to find alternative networking methods. Luckily, the internet is full of resources like LinkedIn and other social media groups to stay connected.
- Know Your Stuff and Be Prepared
Once you have put in the work and have gained some new contacts, you will want to reach out to them. But first things first, make sure you do your research.
Things to Know Before Emailing Contacts
- Contact’s official title
- How long has the contact been at their current organization?
- What were the previous roles of the contact?
- Do you have any common connections with the contact?
Make sure all of your ducks are in a row and that you have a proper email signature and email template. You want to establish who you are, why you are reaching out, and what you hope to achieve with the contact in your email.
- Follow-Up!
Once you have emailed your contacts, make sure to follow-up with them! But don’t take things personally if you don’t get a response or don’t get the response you are looking for. People are busy and dealing with the pandemic differently. Still, don’t be afraid to reach out and follow-up with contacts.
They may not be ready to work with you now, but by staying connected and showing your support, they will be in contact with you when they are ready!
Remember to stay focused, don’t get discouraged, and continue to put in the hard work! Keep in mind that it is a tough time for all of us, but don’t let that be an excuse to have your networking slip. With the help of the internet, you can still stay connected and create new connections, as long as you put in the effort!
