Work in the future / How do you network online?

PhilCan you build a successful career online?

DriverJust be consistent with who you are. I think it's the easiest way to go.

PippaToday we're talking about networking and promoting yourself online.

PhilHello and welcome to Learning English for Work, our podcast to help you improve your business English. I'm Phil.

PippaAnd I'm Pippa. You can find a transcript for this episode to read along on our website, bbclearningenglish.com.

PhilPippa, are you good at networking and promoting yourself?

PippaPhil, I have to be honest, I'm not very good at networking and promoting myself. I get a bit nervous, particularly in person. And also posting online. I don't really like doing it. I don't really do it much at all.

PhilWell, actually, I used to be like that as well, but then I started to work freelance, which is where you work for yourself, like having your own business, and you need to go and find clients. So I had to network, so I had to come up with a system and organise myself to do it better. And I did get better at it.

PippaThat's interesting because our guest today also had a similar experience. It was freelancing that got them to be a bit more active with their networking. And nowadays, social media is a big tool used by lots of people to develop their careers. So things like LinkedIn, X, Instagram, also people with personal blogs or email newsletters, and people can create what they would call their sort of personal brand to talk about their career and show people what they can do. So previously, networking might have looked like going to conferences and events, and now a lot more of it's happening in the online space.

PhilYeah. Today we're going to be talking about what networking looks like in the modern workplace. Pippa, you've been speaking to someone who uses social media to help in their career.