If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have the time to attend every professional event out there. Even if you could make time for them, it can be difficult to choose which events are worth your time. Luckily, that’s why virtual conferences exist! A virtual conference is exactly what it sounds like: a series of lectures and workshops on a given topic that’s streamed online rather than held in person. These events usually offer different ways for participants to connect with each other online as well as via live speakers. Virtual conferences provide a way for people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to invest in a conference (either financially or in their schedule) to still participate in world-class learning experiences. If this sounds like something that might be useful to you, keep reading to learn more about how virtual conferences can help you reach your career goals.
Networking at virtual conference
If you’re reading this, you’re probably already on the path to building a successful career. But what can you do to make sure that you’re taking full advantage of that potential? One of the most important things you can do is to make sure you’re building a strong network. A strong network can help you find jobs, interview (and get hired), and even advance your career—all things that are crucial to helping you reach your professional goals. There are many ways to build your network. Attending networking events is one way, but only a certain type of person enjoys that type of event. What if you have a different personality type? What if you don’t have the time to attend in-person events? In those cases, online conference is a great option.
Build Your Professional Brand at virtual conference In a world where people apply for jobs without ever having met someone from the company, it’s important for job-seekers to understand the value of building a professional brand. Essentially, this means that you should take control of how you are perceived by others. The goal of a professional brand is to make you stand out as the best candidate for a job. It’s based on the idea that it’s not enough to just apply for a job; you have to actively sell yourself to the company. This means that you need to show the company that you’re the right person for the job, even if you don’t know who they are yet. In this digital age, it’s important to have an online presence of your own, so that companies can see what you’re all about. Even if you’re not actively looking for a job, having a strong online presence can help you advance your career, help you make connections, and more.
Grow Your Skill Set
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I wish I was better at ______,” a virtual conference might just have the solution for you. Many conferences will offer workshops and talks on a variety of skills, and although some of these might be geared toward a very specific audience, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find something that applies to you. If the conference offers online communication, you might even be able to talk with the presenter (or other conference-goers) and ask them questions—you can basically experience the workshop in real time, just like an in-person event.
Develop a New Professional Skill at virtual conferences
Speaking of workshops, many conferences offer a variety of specialized workshops that are designed to help you develop a new skill. Let’s say you’re interested in public speaking, but you’re not sure how to get started. A virtual conference might have a workshop where you can learn how to prepare a speech and get some much-needed practice. Or maybe you want to learn how to code, but you don’t have anyone you know who can help you get started. A virtual conference might be able to help you find like-minded people to connect with.
Re-energize Yourself
Some conferences are designed to help you reach your goals in general, while others are specific to your industry or role. If you’re feeling burned out, online conference could be just what you need to get re-energized. If a conference’s schedule is jam-packed with talks, workshops, and other events, it’s probably a good idea to go ahead and sign up for the whole thing. This way, you’ll have plenty to look forward to and can re-energize yourself in the process. You can also just select the talks that interest you the most and save the rest for later. This is useful if you’re trying to decide which conference to attend, but you’re not sure which one to pick. Going to as many different conferences as possible is a great way to re-energize yourself, especially if you’re feeling burned out.
Bottom Line So what can you take away from all this? If you’re looking to advance your career, you should definitely consider attending an online conference. A virtual conference is a great way to network, learn new skills, and even re-energize yourself. And don’t worry if you’re not a super social person or don’t have the time to attend a conference in person—a virtual conference is a great way to participate in the same kinds of events.
Very informative