Do’s and Don’ts of Engaging with Professionals Online
Thanks to the internet, professionals across the world are available for communication 24/7 no matter where you live.
Here is a helpful list of dos and don’ts when it comes to contacting professionals:
DO:
- Loop it back to how you heard/know the professional.
- Professionals are more likely to reach out and give a job to someone who has a connection with them instead of someone that they found randomly.
- Ask interesting and deep questions.
- Give the professional a reason to keep the conversation going! This will also make you stand out.
- Complement/recognize the professional.
- Make sure your social media is up to date and professional.
- College students hear it all the time but if you don’t want your grandma seeing it on social media make sure it’s not there! Also make sure that your social media (especially LinkedIn) is up to date with your current positions. This helps professionals get to know who you are.
DON’T:
- Be impatient.
- Following up is great if you have a specific question but always wait at least a week to follow up and don’t follow up more than twice if you have never met this person.
- Ask for a job through someone’s DMs.
- Don’t ask for a job first, either. Make sure you establish a strong relationship with this professional before asking for a job.
Happy networking!
——
Cayli Allen is a public relations major at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she serves as the Chapter president of PRSSA. She interns in the Radio Marketing Department of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and works as a Business Development Coordinator at Intern Queen, Inc. You can chat with her on Twitter: @Cayli_Allen.
Tags :
