"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main," wrote John Donne in the sixteenth century. He was right: Humans are social creatures. Much of our success, wealth, and happiness comes from other people.
That's why networking as a remote software engineer is so important. Remote work or not, every engineer should look to build a professional network that branches out far and wide. It's how you make friends, how you find jobs, how you overcome the isolation that is an inherent challenge of remote work. This article will outline how you can network as a remote developer.
But before that, a mindset tip: Don't think of networking as an exchange. Although it can become an exchange, networking should initially be thought of as you helping other people. Be generous, be available, be positive. Travel down a selfless road for the most effective networking.
Build Your Digital Presence
It's only natural that the people you reach out to will want to know who you are. When you're working remotely, they will search your name to learn more about you. That's why it's important to have a good, clean online presence.
So make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to snuff. The same for your website, if you have one. GitHub, too, is often where people (and especially recruiters) will look to figure out who you are and what you do. Make sure that your online profiles are in line with who you are, what you do today, and what you're comfortable sharing to the world.
You can take this a step further and actively build your own personal brand by posting regularly about the intersection of professional topics you most care about and are most knowledgeable of. When you do this consistently for a long enough time, people will come to you instead of you going to them.
Begin With the Company You Work For
If you're already employed, your colleagues are the most readily available people to connect with. You should absolutely do this, because the more of your colleagues you build connections with, the more it strengthens your position inside the company. It will also open up internal opportunities you would otherwise never have known about.
Doing so requires a willingness to help your colleagues. Actively ask about their current projects and offer ways in which you can help. Without overburdening yourself, of course. But go beyond that as well, and ask how they're doing. Networking isn't a quid pro quo. It's about getting to know the other person. Connecting with them on a deeper level than just work.
Go Where Your People Are
As a remote software engineer, the internet is your playground for networking. Find online communities where developers gather to share their knowledge, discuss trends, and solve problems. Examples include GitHub, Stack Overflow, and Reddit. These can be goldmines for professional connections if you're willing to participate.
Even better are chat-based communities on Slack or Discord that are dedicated to your areas of expertise and interest. These are usually more focused on community and less on questions that require answers, which makes it easier to form genuine connections with like-minded people.
Attend Virtual Events and Conferences
Since the pandemic, virtual events and conferences have gone digital. Sometimes they come in the form of webinars, sometimes as live-streams, and sometimes they're held in the metaverse. Again, be proactive (a recurring theme). Introduce yourself, ask questions during the Q&A sessions, and make an effort to follow up once the event is over.
It's also worth considering presenting at these events. It will build your personal brand and position you as an expert, which will naturally draw people to you. Once you get past that initial hurdle of impostor syndrome, it's an effective way to rapidly expand your network.
Meet up in the metaverse. Kinda weird, kinda cool, very Zuck
Network Widely
When you start networking, it's natural to gravitate towards other software engineers. Because they're in the same line of work, it's much easier to find common points of interest you can talk about. But you should cast your net wider than that. The more diverse your professional network, the better.
For example, building a network of recruiters and HR professionals can be particularly fruitful if you're looking for another job. Product managers and business analysts can also offer new, fresh perspectives on the tech industry that you're so deeply involved in. The same for UI/UX designers.
By casting your net wide, you will develop a richer understanding of the tech industry that can alter your career in unexpected ways. It'll open you up to new ways of working in tech, ways you may enjoy, ways that may turn into a career. So network widely.
Don't Neglect Your Network
Building your network isn't just about meeting new people. You also need to maintain relationships. Think of networking like a garden. It requires some tending to flourish. Make it a habit to check in with your contacts periodically. This needn't be a lot: A simple message every few weeks or months is often enough, depending on the strength of your connection.
It's even easier when you use some kind of CRM, so you don't have to remember everything about everyone. It could be a simple spreadsheet or something more advanced like HubSpot's free CRM. Add personal details to the contacts in your CRM. What are their interests? Important events in their lives? Naturally integrate those into your follow-ups and you'll separate yourself from almost everyone else.
Just don't be a pest. When someone doesn't reply after a few follow-ups, it's better to throw in the towel than to keep messaging them until they get annoyed.
Meet People Offline
When you're in the same city as some of the people in your network, absolutely make time to meet them. While it's entirely possible to build a strong network online, meeting someone in-person builds a connection that is nigh impossible to replicate online. This is why X-Team, despite being a remote community, offers its engineers the X-Outposts as a way to meet offline.
You can take this a step further and attend tech meetups, participate in hackathons, and join coworking spaces. This needn't be the primary way you network, but it certainly adds a powerful dimension to your professional relationships.
Your Network is Your Net Worth
It's a cliché saying, but it's true: Your network is your net worth. Who you know is often more important than what you know. Just remember that networking isn't about collecting contacts or growing your network to X number of people. It's about building genuine relationships, offering help, and being part of a community.
Take that first step today. It may feel weird, but reach out to a colleague. Join an online community. Sign up for a local meetup. It's never too late to start. Your future self will thank you for the connections you begin to build now.
