Test topics at online events

Check out events on Eventbrite, Meetup and other sites. If pre-lockdown you would have hesitated in physically joining an event, this is the ideal opportunity to test a variety of associations and topic groups. The advantage of a virtual event is that if you feel uncomfortable or the event isn’t to your taste, you can politely “leave the room”.

Learn from experts

Webinars/forums are now the social-distancing-friendly answer to business conferences. Try focusing on smaller events which are less intimidating environments and easier to have one-on-one face time and more quality of contact. Connect with the speakers and other participants. The speaker may be facilitating other events you can join. “These are difficult times. Thankfully, virtual networking enables us to maintain our connections and make new ones”, says Ashworth.

Reconnect

Reconnect with former colleagues. Take time to update yourself on staff movements and industry news.

Get busy on Linkedin

Update your Linkedin profile and other online portals with your photo, fine-tune your experiences and ensure you professionally represent yourself online. Request recommendations and get yourself noticed.

Use events to start a conversation

Use virtual events to expand your network or open doors to a career move. A usual rule of networking is to leave an event with five new contacts. Smaller group meets are a less intimidating environment. Send a follow-up the next day thanking them for the conversation about X, Y and Z, and ask if they are attending any similar events that they think you would be interested in.

This article was originally published in the Delano 2020-2021 Expat Guide