Image of professionals networking
Wednesday, March 09, 2022 Sarah Hodierne/Workforce Development Team

By Sarah Hodierne/Workforce Development Team

Networking can seem intimidating to do. Whether you are new to your field or looking to switch career paths, connecting with other professionals is an important part of your workforce development. The people you meet can open the right doors for you or give you helpful advice on how to achieve your goals.

Here are my tips for how to get started with networking:

#1 LinkedIn is your best friend

It is a professional’s social media for a reason. You can connect with potential employers, current or past colleagues, and other professionally related groups you are a part of through LinkedIn. The algorithms are set up to help you discover people in your field that you might already know and people you should connect with. If you set your profile up to meet its maximum potential and show off your skills, you will start to appear in searches that companies put out. LinkedIn allows you to highlight your experience in ways that your resume cannot, by including links to articles you have published or professional videos you have created. It will allow your personality to shine through and really help forge those connections with others in your field.

Check out this virtual program from CCPL on how to get started with LinkedIn.

#2 Webinars, webinars, and webinars! Oh my!

Professional development is something that you can work on with online courses, webinars, programs, and classes. This is a wonderful way to connect with people whose interests lie directly in line with your own or with people who are in the same field as you. Presenters include their contact information for a reason, they want to connect with you on their topic. Do not be afraid to email a presenter after a presentation you watched. This is a fantastic way to join your professional community.

Check out CCPL’s online calendar. We often host live sessions on our social media pages of programs that might be a great jumping off point for you.

#3 Join professional associations

No matter what field you are in, there is probably a professional association for it. These come with online forums, resources, and events that are great ways to connect with professionals. Professional associations can also connect you with relevant webinars that will help you achieve tip #2.

Head over to Career One Stop’s Professional Association Finder to get started finding one that is right for you.

#4 Attend Conferences

There are conferences around the country and internationally that take place both in person and virtually that relate to your field and other areas of interest. Those professional associations you can join usually host yearly conferences. Take advantage of these conferences and pay attention to the social hours that are scheduled at conferences. These are a terrific opportunity to get to mingle with professionals in your field in a more casual setting.

More titles in our collection to help you get started with networking:

With a little bit of practice and self-patience, you will be ready to take the next steps in your future career. If you would like more information about how to apply for jobs online, assistance in finding resources, tips on how to get the job-hunting process started or more, please reach out to us at CCPL (Charleston County Public Library) by email, chat, or text. Remember, you are not alone.