How COVID-19 Has Changed Networking for Students

When students first hear the word “networking” we think of the awkward face-to-face interactions that often start with “so where do you work?” “Networking” is a buzzword that induces some anxiety in freshman year students, and yet is often touted as the best way to land yourself your dream job. The COVID-19 pandemic changes have transformed our lives including networking, job hunting, and work environments, and professionals and students alike have been introduced to a new era of networking. Instead of meeting a future employer at career events on campus, many university students are faced with new challenges, but also opportunities when it comes to connecting with future employers.

The opportunities are exciting precisely because online networking comes with distinct advantages that students can leverage to improve their career development. I wanted to explore some of these opportunities through conversing with University of Alberta graduates as well as current students who are self-proclaimed experts in networking. Through my conversations with these students, I’ve narrowed down several key themes that can help improve your own experience:

Overcome the anxiety to reach out

From many of my peers’ perspectives, networking can spark fear and discomfort, particularly when we don’t have a plan in mind. How do we sound professional while maintaining a lighthearted conversation? Does the person we’re connecting with have a valuable skill set or experience we’re interested in? One way that has helped me personally overcome this psychological barrier is to write positive affirmations that say the networking conversation will be valuable for our future. Reframe the mindset that networking is a means to an end, but rather an opportunity to learn and grow professionally. Speak with the intent to understand the other person’s career journey, and this will qualm some of those initial thought processes prior to a virtual meetup.

Have a goal in mind

While virtual networking is a new terrain, it has many similarities with traditional networking. Without a clear purpose in mind, the conversations may become lost with overwhelming amounts of information. Before approaching someone for a virtual meeting, ask yourself some key questions: what do you want to learn about an industry, company, or career path? What might you be able to learn from sitting down with this individual? One tip that a close friend recommended is to prepare a list of questions prior to meeting with your employer or mentor. Having a clear conversation trajectory will help keep conversations focused so that the meeting is time-effective for both parties. I find that sometimes having my Skype screen in one window while having a notebook beside my laptop is an excellent setup in organizing my thoughts and jotting down key bits of information.

Do your homework

When I talked with younger peers seeking advice in their professional journey, I found that one quality that stood out to me is the thoughtfulness of the questions asked. Having sat on the recruiting panel for organizations I have worked at, I’ve learned that one key area that distinguishes applicants is the amount of knowledge and understanding someone already possesses about your field of work. Taking the time to learn about the industry or company shows others your passion and curiosity can leave a good impression to potential employers. While this is also true of face-to-face networking, showing initiative plays an even greater role in the pandemic era where much of our future work may be completed remotely.

Ask the right questions

As the saying goes, “there are no dumb questions,” but there are certainly better questions to ask. Once you’ve overcome the anxiety to reach out and have done your homework, jot down some thought-provoking questions. For example, before my meeting with a professional in a different sector outside of my work, I took the time to phrase my questions in a way that explores in-depth ideas rather than surface-level questions. Instead of asking, “what does your daily work entail?” asking “how has work changed for you since the pandemic, and how has this affected your workload?” would be a better, more specific question that will provide a greater depth to your conversations. I found that asking the right questions comes hand-in-hand with doing your homework prior to a meeting. The preparation steps will frame the types of questions you ask, and answer some of your pre-existing questions. The general rule of thumb for networking is that if you can find the answer on a search engine, it may not be the best question to ask in-person!

Share your goals

Sharing your experiences in a way that can be articulated easily to others is an art form. Taking the time to self-reflect may be a valuable tool to help you articulate your goals. In my personal experience, I’ve had to connect the dots in my academic and work experience to create a meaningful narrative for future employers.