Our Virtual Business World

Technology continues to grow exponentially, and the world turns more and more to a virtual model, businesses are finding new ways to connect with potential hires in the digital world. Following the global pandemic and the shift to remote and hybrid work formats, virtual networking and virtual networking events have become vital aspects of corporate executive recruitment. During the pandemic companies and search firms learned how to do entire executive recruitments virtually, saving the time and money associated with traveling to evaluate and vet candidates. The days of attending in-person job fairs are dwindling fast, and today’s companies are leveraging the power of virtual networking to find top talent from around the world. Virtual networking in corporate executive recruitment is now changing the future of hiring.

What Is Virtual Networking?

To begin with, it is important to understand what virtual networking is and how it works. We are all aware of the importance of a professional network in one’s career success. Over 80% of professionals find networking essential to their career success, and 41% want to network more often. Additionally, up to 70% of employees reported that they achieved their current position through networking, and 79% of Americans agree that networking is critical to career progression. In our digital-centric world, virtual networking allows individuals to create professional connections and relationships online through social media platforms, forums, and other virtual channels. It provides executives with access to a vast network of potential candidates that may not have been accessible through in-person recruiting methods, and opens up the candidate pool from one that is geographically specific to one that is worldwide. With virtual networking, recruiters can request connections and engage with professionals from a vast range of industries and backgrounds, providing companies with a significantly wider array of candidates to choose from.

Virtual Networking for the Job-Hunter

For the job hunter, we must remember that it is human nature to want to make connections with people around us, and making contacts in your industry assists both professional and personal growth. When beginning your journey of virtual professional networking, remember to carefully curate your digital presence and footprint. Reconnect with old connections to nurture your current network and get others to endorse your listed skills. Virtual networking provides a unique opportunity to grow your personal brand and get recognition and notice from a global audience – a far greater reach than local networking events. For the job seeker, we also recommend joining industry-specific forums and groups to grow your network, expand your job search, and expose yourself to new ideas.

Widening the Candidate Pool

There are many reasons that virtual networking is now such a critical tool for executive recruitment. One reason is the global talent pool that it provides. Virtual networking allows companies to connect with professionals from around the world, providing them with a wider array of individuals with unique skillsets, backgrounds, cultural understandings, professional expertise, and more. Companies no longer have to worry about geographical barriers and can search for specific skills and experiences necessary for their job openings regardless of location.

Benefit to Companies

In addition to the global reach, virtual networking is cost-effective. Companies save significant resources by searching for and connecting with qualified candidates virtually, by conducting introductory meetings online. Furthermore, companies can utilize platforms such as LinkedIn to advertise job opportunities and reach a global audience. Platforms such as Glassdoor allow companies to showcase their culture and values to potential candidates, something that not only helps the recruitment process but also helps with employee retention.

Another advantage of virtual networking and recruiting is the ability to streamline the recruitment process. With virtual networking, job applications and resumes can be submitted online, and interviews can be conducted over Teams and Zoom calls. This saves time and resources, and allows companies and recruiters to filter candidates based on specific skills and experiences, increasing efficiencies and effectiveness.

Building Relationships

Virtual networking has the added benefit of creating strong relationships between recruiters and potential candidates. Thanks to the wide array of platforms available, recruiters can engage with candidates on many levels, gaining insight into their backgrounds and experiences, learning more about their interests and passions, and better gauging their interest in new employment opportunities. By creating a personal connection early on, recruiters are more likely to build meaningful relationships that benefit companies in the long run.

A More Diverse Workforce

One of the best elements of virtual networking is that it helps companies create a more diverse workforce. Traditional recruiting methods have often been a barrier to diversity and inclusion, however virtual networking allows for a more diverse range of candidates to be considered, regardless of location or background. And as we know, diverse teams are not only more enjoyable for employees, they are more innovative and achieve better results for companies. In addition, candidates looking to build a strong network of a diverse set of peers and thought leaders are better able to achieve this goal through the digital realm, as space and access are compressed and eliminated as barriers.

The corporate executive recruitment process is being revolutionized by virtual networking. It provides companies with access to a global talent pool, allowing them to reach candidates in different regions and countries, and is cost-effective, allowing companies to save resources and streamline processes. Through virtual networking, companies are able to create personal connections with potential hires and is a new and essential tool for businesses that are serious about recruiting top talent in today’s digital age.

Scion Executive Search is Your Executive Search Partner!

Virtual networking has broadened the reach of companies in meeting and connecting with potential executive candidates and has expanded the realm of possibilities for C-suite executives looking to transition into a new position. This is an exciting time for companies and candidates alike, and Scion Executive Search (SES) has perfected the art of virtual recruitment for corporate executives. As an all-remote workforce, we are experts in creating connections through screens and across states and continents. If your organization is looking for a new executive leader, we are here to help! As an award-winning, full-service executive search firm, SES brings an extensive network of candidates and potential candidates from across the U.S. and around the globe. Our professional executive search principals and their teams stand ready to assist you in finding your next all-star leader! Contact us today to learn more about our methods and to see how we can best serve your company’s individual needs.

About the Author

Bailey Olderog, Technical Writer (she/her/hers) 

Bailey Olderog brings her passion for storytelling to her role as technical writer at Scion Executive Search (SES). She is dedicated to accurately telling the stories of others in ways that articulate their vision. 

Prior to joining SES, Bailey worked for a 3D-printing tech start-up after working extensively in the military and government space. Her broad public sector experience includes ghostwriting for elected officials and military generals, researching and authoring private investigations and public reports, drafting testimony for hearings before state and federal legislative committees, and bringing a voice and audience to those without a platform. 

Through a career focused on providing direct support to top organizational leadership, Bailey understands the powerful impact that positive leadership has on organizations and the individuals that comprise them. She is dedicated to helping leaders find the roles in which they will flourish and positively impact the lives of those they work alongside. Bailey received her degree in political science from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where she also minored in studio art.