Digital networking skills and counselling

Materials for improving digital networking skills and receiving guidance for them

Networking is one of the key factors in today’s job search. And digitality has also become a part of networking in the form of social media and remote events.

Networking is one of the key factors in today’s job search, and digitality has also become a part of networking in the form of social media and remote events. Networking – whether digital or traditional – is perceived as a tricky and vague subject that is difficult to master. In addition, possible cultural differences, Finnish language skills, racism in working life and discrimination may become an obstacle to entering certain networks.

The materials below support both jobseekers and the professionals who guide them to take over digital networking skills.

In employment and career services, the situation of customers is viewed comprehensively.

One area to be addressed in the guidance is networking. Networking, both traditionally face-to-face and online, supports the transition to working life and the development of a career path. In addition to supporting networking, customers with immigrant backgrounds in particular need culturally specific guidance on how to operate in Finland. This is where guidance professionals play an important role.

The Getting to Grips with Digital Networks handbook leads the guidance professional pragmatically to bring digital networking into the discussion and to guide customers forward in networking. The handbook supports and offers tips for paying attention to different customers, motivating them and supporting a pro-networking attitude. In addition, it provides information on networking both in social media and in remote events.

The handbook can be read and downloaded in English and Finnish. Check it out here:

The MOOC course leads the student to digital networking and practical support for independent networking. The themes of the course include the importance of motivation and attitude in networking, the corporate perspective in digital recruitment, Finnish language competence, and online presence in social media. In addition, the course includes its own section for guidance professionals who support their customers in digital networking.

The MOOC course has one part in Finnish, the others are in English.

The course includes five units:

Networking STEPS model
Language competence in networking (in Finnish)
Digital recruitment: an organisation’s perspective
Online presence as a jobseeker
How to support clients in digital networking

The course will be published as part of DigiCampus open selection in December 2023.

The STEPS mini-game introduces the user to seven aspects of networking through mini-tasks. The game allows the user to improve their networking skills and get new ideas.

The mini-game approaches networking from a practical and human-centred perspective. Networking is seen as the creation of a network of support, inspiration and growth, rather than the exploitation of people and the collection of business cards and contact information.

The user can complete the mini-game in segments by recording their progress and returning to any uncompleted tasks at their convenience. After completing the game, the user learns what kind of networker they are.

Start the mini-game here.