You Can Apply Social Media Skills to In-Person Networking

Although social media provides numerous ways to meet others and stay in contact, it should not be used as a substitute for in-person networking. The benefits of networking are well-known. It offers resources, support, opportunities, personal and professional growth, guidance and the chance to improve your status. Use the skills you've gained through social media platforms to build your network and get that dream job or advance your career.

Content Curation

Pinterest, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are chock-full of information.These social media platforms are a treasure trove of tips, ideas, trends and projections. Chances are you've read or written blogs, tweeted about things that interested you, liked posts, watched videos, looked over an infographic, or read about the industry where you work or want to work. There's content galore at your fingertips, and you can use it to make in-person connections at job interviews, staff meetings, job fairs, professional conferences and more. The knowledge you've gained reading and commenting on important industry news that impacts your profession can make you an expert in the field and a person others want to get to know and talk to.

Your interest in your industry and ability to curate relevant content from social media platforms also gives you the chance to grow and develop a professional mentor-mentee relationship. Bounce ideas off your mentor. Ask questions and share information. This might lead to career opportunities or improved workplace performance.

Nonverbal Communication

According to Dr. Albert Mehrabian, UCLA psychology professor and author, only about 7 percent of messages are conveyed through words, while the remaining 93 percent occurs nonverbally. When people communicate through social media platforms, words are often the only way to express a message. This can lead to miscommunication and may take some creativity to effectively convey what you are trying to say. Users of social media often add emoticons, punctuation, GIFs or other imagery to make up for the lack of nonverbal elements.

Some people may find that communicating via social media platforms is less stressful. They can say what they want without people staring at them or making them feel self-conscious. When it's time to network in-person, think of the ways you conveyed your message online. Did you use emoticons or punctuation? Show emotions with authentic facial expressions, body language and attitude. If you used exclamation points to emphasize your point, show that enthusiasm with the tone of your voice and the passion you have for that idea.

A Pew Research Center report in 2015 notes that 65 percent of American adults use social media platforms compared to only 7 percent in 2005. Why not use the skills you've been able to hone through social media to help you find a job or advance your career? By curating content and conveying authentic emotions, you can build an effective in-person network.

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