Attending a virtual or in-person conference, awards program or networking event? Here are 4 tips to follow so you can be more successful:
1. Have a Plan
Before you decide to attend, focus on your purpose
for attending and ask yourself these questions:
·
Is there anyone in
particular that you'd like to meet (do your research ahead of time) ?
·
Is there specific
information that you are looking to gather?
·
Will you share with
people that you are in the market for a new job, or are looking for new
clients?
2. Practice
Despite how easy a quick introduction at a
networking event would seem, people often stumble over it. Practice
introducing yourself with confidence so you don’t waste the opportunity to make
a good first impression.
·
Speak loudly, slowly and
clearly enough to be heard and understood.
·
Enunciate and speak with
energy.
· Sit up or stand up straight, smile and make eye contact with the person you're introducing yourself to.
3. Listen
Good networkers listen more than they
talk. Resist the urge to dominate the conversation and instead, follow
this process:
·
Ask open-ended
questions; these questions often begin with "how" or "what"
and require more than a "yes/no" answer.
·
Actually listen to the
answers.
· Demonstrate that you are listening by your non-verbal communications, for example, by making eye contact and nodding.
4. Be Confident
If you hate networking and are uncomfortable
schmoozing with people, recognize that many others feel just as uncomfortable
as you do.
·
Look for someone
standing alone or who has just entered the actual or virtual room
· Make the first move and introduce yourself.
It's okay to say, "I don't think I know anyone."
· Most likely, they’ll be grateful for the introduction – and you may just make a great professional connection!
Following these 4 tips will help you get more
out of the event and build your professional network.