5 Practical Networking Tips for When You’re at an Event Career Site

5 Practical Networking Tips for When You’re at an Event

12 Jul, 2011 Job Tips Networking Networking Tips

Networking can be considered an art form. It’s a skill that requires attention and nurturing and it can be really helpful and important to a successful career. If you are looking for a new job, are exploring new career options or ideas, want to further your career or move up the ladder or want to use networking to build your own business – knowing how to network is key. Here are a few practical tips to help you when you are at that key networking event:

1. Be Early

Good networkers arrive nice and early in order to get themselves in order. Sort out your business cards, make them readily available, take some time to get used to the surroundings, relax, go to the restrooms if you need to and then focus on learning about the other people in the room with you.

2. Have a Plan

Make a focused plan before you enter an event, otherwise you’ll find yourself aimlessly floating around the room, not knowing what to do or who to talk to. Decide on what you’re going to do first, be it stand by the coffee table, talk to someone enjoying the sun in the venue’s gardens or strike up a conversation with the person manning the first information or product stand you come to.

3. Prepare your Elevator Pitch

This isn’t about selling yourself by talking at someone, this is about being able to articulate and succinctly describe who you are, what you do and what you’re at the event for. You will want to make it as concise as possible. Be specific. That is the key here. If you’re seeking a role, make sure you can name the particular type of work, role and type of organisation you’re looking for. The more specific you can be, the more helpful someone can be to you.

4. Don’t give it all away

Be sure not to tell people too much at once. The point of an elevator pitch is that it’s concise enough for you to get out in the time it takes for an elevator to travel between floors. If you try to tell someone everything about you, they’ll either feel overwhelmed or bored. Tell them the important things and trust that you’ll continue getting to know one another beyond the event, if that’s what you want.

5. Be Positive

Be positive and leave any troubles or worries you have behind. If you’ve had a bad day, are nervous or have many things on your mind, try to put them aside for the event. Take a couple of deep breathes before entering the main networking area and go in thinking as positively as you can. You are here to learn, to meet people, to have fun and to discover whatever you can.

These tips are part of our 135 Networking Career Tips eBook – so if you want more comprehensive help with your networking you may find it an interesting read.

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