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You've heard of so-called networking events. You go, maybe you dress up, you might take some business cards, you grab a drink, and then you find someone to talk to without embarrassing yourself. And perhaps even sometimes, you just end up talking to the people you came with, or someone you already know.
What was the point of that, then?
I of
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Comments
11.17.08
great advice.
I went to a technology conference a few years ago and it just blew my mind that everyone isolated themselves all day and networked during happy hour.
Before and after sessions people were huddled over the blackberries and mostly NOT open to conversations. Women were a little easier to start conversations with.
But at 5:15pm the social butterflies emerged from their cocoons when they showed up at the networking hour.
11.17.08
I can't believe you just called me lame! Kidding. Opening lines are the worst! I like the compliment thing - giving compliments genuinely is difficult but gives you a definite advantage. You can also follow up in your email with the compliment ("Loved your jacket by the way") - shows you remember who they are. Finally, I like that you say to leave at the right time - I don't think people realize how crucial that is!
Always good advice, Sam :)
11.17.08
I'm actually at a conference right now. I have something to add: Don't be afraid to just be yourself. I met to guys yesterday who were in their late 20s. The one guy was doing this man-about-town shtick and came across fake and like a cheeseball. The other guy I'm pretty sure just acted like himself. And I made a introduction for him to my boss who could get him a lot of business. My boss could have gotten the other guy work, too, but I'd never introduce my boss to a cheeseball.
The older I get, the more I realize that my "real" personality is a lot better than any "work" or "business" personality I could come up with.
11.17.08
Thanks for the kind words...glad to see I hit on something important.
@Zak - Exactly...I feel that if you maxed out each break, small group session, meal and mixer, you could meet between 50 and 100 people in a day. People should drop the Blackberry for once and meet someone face to face, right?
@Rebecca - You're never lame. If you hosted a YP night at the local bar, I'd be there. :)
@Xpert - Right on. No matter what, if you're not yourself, you're missing the whole networking piece. It then becomes acting class, and no business gets done in acting class. Real is always better and most of us can smell a fake front coming a mile away.
11.18.08
Networking - how do some people seem to move so easily through the crowd.
At these conferences people are looking for that magnetic and inviting person.
I have a hard time networking it always seems awkward and slightly uncomfortable. Then their is that awkward silence. I really find it easier for me to network if I am presenting at the conference.
The problem is that most people are self-concious and feel that networking is weird.
Also many conferences I attend I am their by myself!
It is hard to break into a circle of co-workers who already know each other. I appreciated your comments about leaving those you came with and networking yourself.
11.18.08
@Michael-
Agreed...a lot of the time, the same people attract the same people and introverts or those flying solo have a difficult time breaking the ice. This is why I suggest different opening lines, and I hope I can enourage people to branch out from those they came with. I also recommend that people find someone else standing alone. It's easier (even for me) to talk 1-on-1 than to try to sneak up on a group.
11.20.08
Great advice! I work for a staffing firm in Boston, Hollister (www.hollisterstaff.com/?=451) and find myself constantly networking, for myself and my clients. I agree with you that the best places to network are at conferences, and also love you tips about having an opening line, compliments, etc. Thanks for sharing this!
04.17.09
Excellent advice. This is the first time I have been unemployed in over 10yrs and have been out of work for 6 months. Networking seems to be my biggest challenge.
I volunteered to work at a conference next week primarily to force myself to network and now that it is coming up I find my nerves kicking in. I think your suggestions will be a huge help.
06.20.10
Nice article. I would like to add a few of my own tips.
What I also do is Pre-Conference Preperation and Pre-conference networking.
By preconference prepearation I mean I make a list of people with whom I want to network during the conference
By preconference networking I refer to sending email to potential contacts with whom I am going to network.
This helps me a lot and I think it would be of great interest to the community here too.
06.20.10
Nice article. I would like to add a few of my own tips which I regulary compile on my forum http://www.phdchat.com
What I do is Pre-Conference Preperation and Pre-conference networking.
By preconference prepearation I mean I make a list of people with whom I want to network during the conference
By preconference networking I refer to sending email to potential contacts with whom I am going to network.
This helps me a lot and I think it would be of great interest to the community here too.
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