Although I would readily admit that Covid is not over in many parts of the world I do feel that things are certainly better in many ways.
Networking events are taking place. Conferences and local events are happening finally and that is great.
I have attended a number of networking events the last few months and I personally love getting away from Zoom calls.
You can’t really connect on Zoom personally because it isn’t a personal touch. There is nothing like the one-to-one reaction on people’s faces when we meet and interact. Smiles aren’t the same on Zoom as they are in person. You can’t shake hands and give each other a hug on Zoom.
What I see when I network is a number of mistakes.
First many people after being at home for two years in their PJ’s and shorts and going to soccer practices got comfortable and aren’t going to events. The Networkers are but where are you?
I also see that few people bring their business cards to networking events because many folks don’t have any cards. Who ordered business cards during the pandemic? Nobody.
Yet business cards are key to making connections at networking events. How am I going to remember you from the numerous folks I am going to meet at a networking event? A photo of your name badge if the association has any? How are you going to bring your boss a new prospect?
The other mistake that people make after being isolated at home for years is that at events they sit with people that they know. That’s good in many ways because we all want to reconnect but it is not a good way to network and meet new people. Ironic that fellow employees want to sit with their coworkers but not go into the office together every day.
What I have learned in my career that it is key to meet new people because you can’t predict how that person can help you in the future. I spoke once to the Cleveland AAF which ended up with a gig in Buenos Aires.
You have to be prepared and plant your seeds for the future.
Will there be a recession? Will the job market flip in a switch to a non-hiring environment? It has many times in my past.
And if thing change where will you be? Are hiring managers using Tik Talk to find candidates these days or LinkedIn? You know the answer as well as I do. But when is the last time you looked at your LinkedIn messages or posted an update?
Unfortunately, many people are investing zero time in their personal marketing because the pandemic changed the need to spend that time on themselves. In the end as time and life moves on it can be a big mistake that I have seen countless times. Some go on. I hope it is you.