Networking in the Era of Remote Work Is Easier Than You Think

As CEOs and corporate decision makers continue to push their workers in any way they can to return to the office, remote employees have largely remained steadfast in their commitment to working from home. Many people who switched to remote work due to the pandemic now say they’d rather be fired than endure a daily commute and bagged lunch again.

Per moveBuddha’s Remote Work Statistics Report 2023, 91% of working professionals report a positive experience with remote work, and 98% want to continue incorporating remote work into their careers over the long-term. While working in an office or on-site location doesn’t necessarily have to be miserable, there are plenty of valid reasons why remote workers are so hesitant to dive back into their cubicles. Money and time saved on commuting, as well as a much more flexible work schedule, just to name a few.

Regardless of where you stand personally on the “return to the office” debate that continues to look more and more like a game of tug of war between executives and lower-level employees, it’s clear that the rise of remote work has changed one aspect of cultivating a successful career: Networking.

It’s about who you know, now more than ever

It’s tough to make new professional connections and references when the only “co-worker” at home is your pet cat. While some readers may be wondering why professional networking is so important to their careers, especially if they’re already employed, it’s worth taking note of the current hiring landscape these days.

Finding a new job right now is anything but easy. Tons of major companies, especially in the tech sector, went on hiring sprees in 2021 and 2022, but more recent months have seen an absolute flurry of layoffs as businesses brace for economic downturn. Even worse, hiring processes have become much more complicated and fickle. Applicants today are asked to jump through more hiring hoops (multiple interviews, skills tests, etc) than ever before, and afterwards many aren’t even afforded the common courtesy of a follow-up email if they’re passed over for the position.

Building and maintaining a robust professional network of colleagues, co-workers, and mentors represents an actionable way to get a leg up on today’s arduous hiring market. If you’re still not convinced, consider what science has to say. One study published in the scientific journal ILR Review found that companies are much more likely to hire an out-of-work applicant if that candidate had worked alongside one of their current employees in the past. Similarly, another compelling piece of research conducted at the University of Georgia reports roughly half (!) of all workers found their current job thanks to a friend or acquaintance who put in a good word for them. That study also found employees hired via referrals tend to stay in their positions longer.

Keep in mind you don’t have to become everyone’s best friend. Further scientific research conducted at Northwestern University tells us that “weak ties,” such as acquaintances or friends of friends, actually help people land jobs more often than close friends or family members.

Bridging the digital gap

Professional networking used to be as easy as heading to the breakroom for a quick chat with co-workers, but how can remote employees build out their networks from the comfort of their homes? While networking in the era of remote work may require a different strategy than years past, it actually offers even more possibilities than a single office ever could.

In an office, employees are limited to interacting with the co-workers physically near them, but remote work offers the opportunity to connect with colleagues and experts all over the world. While working remotely you may find yourself on a call with a regional manager and co-workers who live hundreds of miles away, or you may sit in on a video conference attended by a number of high-ranking executives spread all over the world.

Just like applications such as Zoom and Slack have facilitated a smooth transition to remote work in general, there’s no reason you can’t use those same tools to foster new connections. Don’t be shy about directly connecting with colleagues on LinkedIn after such conference calls or meetings, especially if you’re hoping to attract the attention of upper management.

If you’re uneasy about putting yourself out there and directly messaging senior executives, here’s a helpful tip that will almost always garner a positive response: Ask for advice or their professional opinion. We all enjoy talking about ourselves, whether everyone admits it or not, and asking a senior figure in your company for their highly valued input is a great way to make sure decision makers know who you are – and see you as an attentive employee who cares about what they’re doing. 

Besides one’s current job, there are plenty of other ways to build a professional network while working from home. Take a stroll down memory lane to your school days. Perhaps there was a professor or teacher you had a great relationship with years ago. There’s no telling what opportunities may arise from reaching out and reconnecting today. The same goes for old classmates and even extended family members like cousins. Simply keeping your family updated on your career goals may lead to an unexpected opportunity.

Of course, if you’d like to leave the house to do a little networking, there are still plenty of opportunities at places like industry conferences, high school and college alumni events, and any number of hobbies or recreational activities. For instance, if you play on a local sports team or club every other weekend, don’t hesitate to connect with your teammates on LinkedIn. You may be pleasantly surprised by how closely their professional interests align with yours.

Professional networking is just one ingredient when cooking up a career. If you think it’s time for a change of professional scenery, take a look at Ladders’ job search tool featuring thousands of high-paying jobs.