Remote Networking Tips and Tricks

What is Networking?

As an online student, building a professional network, especially remotely, can be challenging. How do you connect with people in your industry? And what should you do once you make a connection?

To help answer these questions, we teamed up with Erica LaRue, Director of WVU Career Services, to share some of our favorite tips for effective networking, regardless of where you are.

According to Career Services, networking aims to cultivate mutually beneficial professional relationships strategically. Erica emphasizes, “80% of job opportunities are secured through social and professional networks, proving that relationships are the key to unlocking your career potential.” 

Creating a professional network can be as simple as connecting with a former supervisor on LinkedIn or introducing yourself at a career fair. Effective networking is essential to authentic professional growth, which can lead to many opportunities.

80% of job opportunities are secured through social and professional networks, proving that relationships are the key to unlocking your career potential. Erica Larue - Director of Career Services

To help you get started on your networking journey, here are some practical tips we’ve developed with our Career Services colleagues.

1) Get Involved

Clubs and Orgs are the heart and soul of the college experience and there’s plenty of opportunities to get involved, and many of which are open to remote students! If nothing campus-centric is what you’re looking for, consider getting involved with your local branch of one of many national professional organizations.

Groups like the AMA (American Marketing Association), the APA (American Psychological Association), or the AASPH (Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health) offer regular meetings and involvement opportunities. These groups can help enhance your resume or CV and introduce you to professionals in your field.

These are only a few examples of organizations you might consider. Ask a professor or other faculty member to point you in the direction of what organization best aligns with your interests, or do some research on your own to discover what unique opportunities are out there for you.

2) Get Connected

It’s no secret that using social media is important to networking, especially remotely. Endless connections with people you may or may not know on LinkedIn don’t really feel like networking, so how can you actually build a network using social media?

The first piece of advice is to first be active on the platform and intentional with how you engage with it. There’s no need to post daily, but there are plenty of reasons to post when something notable happens. Were you involved in a successful project at work or part of your academic program? Post about it and don’t be afraid to brag a little! Sharing semi-regular updates gives other people a perspective into what your areas of interest are and allows them to connect with you if their interests align.

Don’t forget that networking on social media is a two-way street! It’s important to also engage with other users’ posts. A quick “Congratulations on the new role!” or another thoughtful message can go a long way when forming relationships. You can apply similar strategies to other platforms, too! Engaging with others on creative portfolio sites like Behance or being active in industry-specific Slack communities are tried and true methods to create a network of collaborators and peers in the same space and industry as you.

Additionally, there are several volunteer platforms to get involved with, full of people who are looking for like-minded professionals to add to their networks, as well as talented people to work with on a breadth of projects in many areas.

To further develop professional connections, consider a meeting off-platform! Invite a potential connection to a quick Zoom meet-and-greet over a lunch break, or if you both are in the same area, consider meeting in-person for coffee!

3) Get Creative!

If you’re not finding any opportunities that interest you, plan one! Connecting digitally has never been easier with services like Zoom, Google Meet, or Discord. Pick a topic or theme and invite people! Start with your immediate network and encourage them to spread the word. It can be something simple with a more social focus, like an after-work happy hour with ice breakers and conversation prompts or a game night. You could also focus more on professional development with a resume/CV workshop, which are great opportunities to talk shop with others in your field.

4) Chat with WVU's Career Services Team

The WVU Career Services Center is here to help. They provide career education, comprehensive resources, programs, and services to current students (both in-person and online), alumni, parents and families, and employers. The team is staffed with kind, helpful people who want to see you succeed. They have plenty of resources to offer and are available to meet with you one-on-one remotely to set you on the right track to accomplish your goals. Additionally, they regularly host professional development and networking events, so be sure to tune into those.

Need help or have questions? Follow the guide to schedule an appointment with Career Services and learn how to make the most of your session.

Meet Your College's Career Development Specialist