You should be networking. I should be networking. Everyone should be networking!
But here’s a question for you: What is networking, exactly?
How do you get started? How do you know if you’re doing it right? And, more importantly, what is the benefit of networking?
Let’s explore each of these in turn and figure out the concept of networking together. Afterwards, we’ll apply these principles to remote developer careers and learn how to network effectively by bringing value over time.
You can watch this video I recorded below, or scroll down past it to read our full guide on networking for remote developers.
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Bad Networking
Firstly, to answer the question “what is networking?” it’s best to understand what it is not.
I’m not talking about the loose cables strewn across your office or home workstation.
Bad networking is, however, something we’ve all experienced.
That person that upvotes or likes everyone’s post in the hope that these simple reactions lead to love. Maybe they take it a step further and add a comment to a post. Quite often, these comments are one-word responses like “nice” or even just a 👍 emoji.
Is this effective networking? The key factor here is the level of effort it took to do something.
You can’t build relationships without putting in the effort.
This includes participation. Sitting silently at a meetup or a Clubhouse event is not participation. You aren’t adding value to the conversation. This is the networking equivalent of buying a lottery ticket and hoping! You need to get in there and make yourself known, but that is a daunting thought, right?
The point is you need to make connections, and that involves conversations, adding value, or helping people.
There are no shortcuts, I’m afraid.
The power of networking is not just meeting people. It’s about those people introducing you to more people. You never know where the connections might end.
But, in order for someone to recommend you, your services, or your company to a friend or acquaintance, there needs to be a certain level of trust and reputation along with that recommendation. Think about your own network. How likely are you to recommend someone where the relationship is tenuous?
If you’re lucky enough to be recommended or introduced, think about what that person sees. Ask yourself these questions:
- Does your developer CV, LinkedIn profile, and personal website convey the right message?
- Do you appear to be knowledgeable and approachable? (Do you have good people skills?)
- Is it obvious where your skills and passions lie?
- Do you appear to be a positive person?
- Are you someone they might want to talk to and potentially work with?
One other point: networking is different from creating friendships.
While networking and making friends are both ways of forming connections with others, it’s quite important to understand how their goals and approach differ. I’m sure you understand what friendship is. And, while you always want to be friendly while networking, remember the reason you’re networking: to build a professionally beneficial connection with another person.
Read More: How to Write a Web Developer Resume Sure to Impress the Hiring Manager
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Overnight Success
When you see someone networking in the correct manner, it’s all too easy to get blinded by the result and not see the work that went in. You hear of colleagues being headhunted or receiving job offers out of the blue. You might even hear the magical and mysterious term “overnight success.”
But let’s be clear — aside from that winning lottery ticket, there is no overnight success.
The headhunter probably didn’t find that person by chance. The job offer didn’t really come out of the blue. The work that went into providing the environment for that opportunity to arise, that’s what we call networking. Maybe they had friends in high places. Perhaps so, but they became friends through an exchange, one of value, information, or assistance.
They networked!
Good Networking
Before you can begin building your network, you need to consider who your audience is and where they can be found.
This might seem basic or second nature, but so many people begin putting out content and attempting to join conversations in the wrong places. For developers, a classic example is hoping to court the attention of recruiters and employers in places where developers hang out. You might think this makes sense as, surely, this is the first place they would come looking for developers like you?
The problem is they often make the same mistake. Recruiters and employers hope — or even believe — that you put your best self forward on LinkedIn because that’s where the recruiters and employers hang out. So we all continue in our own little silos, never fraternizing with the other party.
Break the mold. Go where they are. It’s what most developers won’t do.
If you’re a remote developer looking to make connections with employers, tech recruiters, and hiring managers, make LinkedIn your homepage.
Join relevant LinkedIn groups, and seek out recruitment agencies along with individuals. Just make sure you know how to update your LinkedIn profile before reaching out, though. Recruiters often view your profile before responding, and you don’t want to turn them off before the conversation’s even begun!
If you’re networking to meet other developers, consider where they might hang out, too.
Is there a Slack group for your chosen technology or subject? Perhaps a real-life meetup or upcoming industry event you can attend? Really anything you do online — and offline, as well, at times — can turn into a networking opportunity, including posting on forums like Stack Exchange, visiting tech conferences, or contributing to open source projects.
If you’re a remote software engineer looking for some IRL connections, check out Meetup or Facebook for possible local events. During the event, dynamic QR codes can make it easy to share your portfolio or contact information seamlessly. Join developer communities and online groups and engage rather than simply being a member.
Feeling too shy or nervous about the whole concept of networking?
Start with earning yourself a few small wins. Reach out to those who have some common thread with you, such as another graduate of your alma mater. Use LinkedIn to send an introductory message and break the ice instead of meeting in person from the start. And, if you’re ready to move to in-person networking, drag along a friend or colleague to bring out the confidence and feeling of safety.
Or, you could try a more passive approach, such as writing some articles showcasing expertise in your chosen tech stack or your thought leadership in the software development space. Use LinkedIn articles, Hacker Noon, the Codementor Community, or your own personal blog. You’ll be surprised at how people reach out to you over time, and, a bonus: those articles will look great as part of your developer portfolio package!
Read More: How to Move Into a Senior Role or Leadership Position as a Remote Developer
Bring Value
Once you’re in the right place, now what? Remember, it’s not about one-word comments or simply being there. You need to add value and get involved.
Adding value is an easy thing to say, but a difficult thing to actually do. Adding value means giving good information, entertaining people, removing a problem, helping someone, or just going that extra mile. In order to stand out, you need to do the things others won’t.
That is memorable.
Think about the person, or type of person, you want to connect with. What do they want? What will bring them some value? This can be anything from answering their questions, providing insight on a subject, or even fixing a bug in their software (if it’s open-source code). This is a memorable, powerful display of your qualities.
Wrapping Up Our Networking Guide for Remote Software Engineers
In summary, you need to put yourself in the right place. You need to be saying the right things, contributing to the discussion, and positioning yourself as someone who is talented, dependable, approachable, positive, and friendly. Ideally, a combination of all of the above.
Remember: this is not an overnight game.
As with most good things in life, it’ll take time. This is a drip feed. It is essentially a form of marketing. When you consider how many times a brand has to appear in front of your eyes before you can recall their offering, it becomes clear that you’re going to have to put yourself out there on an almost daily basis, without expectation of a result.
Results will come, but not on the timeline of your choosing. The employer might not be in the market for a developer right now. The recruiter might not have a role that matches your skills. Even though you answered a question on StackOverflow and saved the life of a fellow developer, their company does not have a current opening. When they do, however, your name will be well regarded.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint and the more you network without expectation, the more “overnight success” you’ll receive! And, you’ll get better at networking the longer you practice, as well.
Thanks for taking the time to read this article, and I do hope it helps you become better at networking! If you have any questions, feedback, or other networking tips for remote developers (or anyone, really), leave a comment below 🙂
Read More: Remote Work Glossary of Words and Phrases on WFH & Virtual Careers
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