ONLINE OR OFFLINE?

There are advantages and disadvantages to networking via social media rather than email, phone calls or in-person meetings, especially since Covid-19 has made people nervous about gathering in person.

These benefits will vary depending on the people with whom you’re dealing, says Lorna O’Brien of O’Brien Recruitment in Cape Town. “It’s important to ask them how they’d like you to communicate with them.”

Tamara Wolpert of Viv Gordon Placements says offline interaction gives you more opportunities to shine in person or in a group.

“It’s often here that you’ll make an impression on important people,” she says. “And if the purpose of your networking is to move up the ladder in your career, they’ll then remember you and consider you when opportunities come up.”

Emails can work really well as a follow-up networking strategy. “I always send someone a note after I’ve met them for the first time”, says Celeste Stewart, director of Bold Curiosity.

“Phone calls can work too if you know the person and have met before, but no one likes ‘cold calls’ – making or receiving them,” she adds.