What are the best ways to use digital tools for networking in the early years of your career?

You need to think about why you are on the platform. Too many people join countless platforms but never become active on them. They will view other people but not engage or create a post. You have to remember it is called social media. Jump into a conversation already going or speak your mind. You have a voice, and your own story don't be afraid to share it.

You need to think about the audience you want to attract and speak to, Who are the people you want to connect with? When you start answering these questions, the platform will stand out. My recommendation is don't get distracted by trying to do everything. Choose one platform, Get good at that platform, build your audience and then start expanding to the rest.

In the early years of your career, leverage digital tools for networking by optimizing your LinkedIn profile, actively participating in industry-specific online forums and groups, attending virtual networking events, and engaging in informational interviews via video calls. Share your insights, connect with professionals, and demonstrate genuine interest in your field. Consistent online presence and thoughtful interactions will help you expand your network and open doors for career opportunities. Be willing to be vulnerable and let people know that you don't know what you don't know and ask for insights.

Platforms like LinkedIn and tools such as Sales Navigator are excellent for prospecting and building a professional presence online. These are instrumental in fostering visibility and credibility and are often encapsulated in the formula Visibility + Credibility = Opportunity (VCO), replacing the traditional notion of profitability. To successfully network, people need to know you, like you, and, most importantly, trust you before considering a professional collaboration. Your visibility is enhanced by the type of content you share with your community, while your credibility is strengthened by how you engage with and nurture this community. A practical step to increase VCO is encouraging people to write you a LinkedIn recommendation.

In the early years of your career, digital tools can be powerful for networking: Optimize your LinkedIn profile with a professional photo and detailed bio. Actively connect with industry professionals, join relevant groups, and share insightful content. Engage in conversations, offer expertise, and request informational interviews to expand your network authentically. Participate in online industry events, webinars, and virtual conferences. Engage with speakers and fellow attendees through chat forums or social media platforms associated with the event. This provides an opportunity to showcase your knowledge, ask questions, and connect with like-minded individuals in your field.

As a recruiter, I see a lot of graduates on LinkedIn without a proper profile and a handful of followers. It’s my advice to start building your professional digital network as soon as you start studying. Showing your professional interest online and following relevant pages introduces you to the real business world and will kickstart your career.

We all have a personal brand but what is yours saying about you? My moustache has become part of my brand because I talked and joked about it. Your brand is about what you do and say. What people say about you when you are not around. Whether it is networking, accounting, coffee, coconut trees, the colour pink or blue (those are mine) share these and consistently. My brand colours are in my pictures and the clothes I wear. My humours personality is part of my brand. Keep true to yourself and people will naturally see your brand. Always remember that Today's Connection is Tomorrow's Opportunity.

Remember that social media is about being social! So post, comment, share, and exchange thoughts to truly interact with people online.

The beauty of a personal brand rests in the name; it is completely customizable to the reflection of yourself you want to communicate. Don’t know where to start? Here’s 3 tips I have learned: 1. Have an opinion. Don’t just repost another post, give your thoughts! Like something? Say it. Disagree with something? Say it, respectfully ??. 2. Be consistent. Find things to post about. It could be a book you’re reading, a quote you saw, or a project you are working on. Show that you are active in your professional development. 3. Don’t make your profile all about your job. It’s great to share what you are working on, but you are more than your title at work. Show your “professional personality”. In a world dominated by AI, this is essential.

Creating a personal brand is super important! It is a way of directly indicating what value you have to offer as an individual. Simply put, it enables you to attract, rather than chasing.

Intentions- so important, right? I remember going on a office offsite and meeting a coworker with an amazing LinkedIn presence. He would attend one professional event each week and meet a industry leader. I got a chance to connect with him on the offsite and asked him, "how do you know all these people?" He said, "I don't. Before reaching out to them on LinkedIn, I see their journey and sincerely admire what I like and show my interest in connecting with them" Just a super intentional outreach could change your professional journey.

Networking is not about the size of your network it is about the quality. Start by writing out your current network from your boss, co-workers, neighbour, your barber or mechanic. Think about who you want to connect with. Do you know someone who knows these people? When you do start to connect remember two important keys: Listen - not for your chance to talk but for your chance to listen and learn. And - Today's Connection is Tomorrow's Opportunity.

For new professionals, leveraging online communities is invaluable. These platforms offer a wealth of knowledge, networking opportunities, and mentorship. Engaging in these communities facilitates rapid learning, skill development, and the chance to seek guidance and feedback. It creates a supportive environment, helping new professionals navigate the challenges of their industry with greater ease and confidence.

I remember even before the web was born, we had Usenet groups that were effectively online communities but mostly for developers. That was the way to discover new tools, tips and hacks and build credibility about your own skills within the dev community. Of course now there’s a ton of them including Reddit but also a lot of specialized communities catering to your specific interests. It’s a great way to meet new people, build your own brand while helping others and learning new skills at the same time.

This is one of the most underrated social hacks. Spending time in communities allows you to build a community or following of your own. Start leaving comments on videos, and start exploring ideas on blog posts. Every platform has communities or groups that you can join --> Find yours, Build your relationships and then consider starting your own

Every interaction you have with someone (including what they see from you while scrolling) influences how they think of you. There is no such thing as a neutral interaction, you are either adding to your legacy or taking away from it. With that in mind, be mindful of every like, comment, post, and share to ensure it builds the reputation, the brand, you want to be associated with.

I use LinkedIn to enhance relationships and make networking events easier. Before attending an event I will engage with posts for the event. Engage with others who are commenting on the posts. The day of post a selfie with what you are wearing to the event and tag the event - this will help people to recognize you. This is also why I like to remind people that Today's Connection is Tomorrow's Opportunity.

You get to create who you are. Start looking for mentors, looking for the lessons you can learn that will shape you. Once you decided on the voice you want to have, the image in the way you see yourself, then the authentic you will come through in the content you create and the relationships you build. Finding these communities and this voice is extremely beneficial if you start early in your career.