Networking Advice to Help You Succeed at Networking Events

Networking Advice to Help You Succeed at Networking EventsNetworking Advice to Help You Succeed at Networking EventsNetworking Tips to Help You Thrive at Your Next EventDont just attend a networking darbietung, own itVery early on in my career, I didnt understand the importance of networking darbietungs. Job networking seemed like a bunch of people hanging around in suits exchanging business cards, which wasnt my idea of a good time. But thats because I didnt truly know what networking meant.What is job networking?Essentially, its going out and meeting people in your field (or the field you want to break into) that could potentially help you later find or land a job. Besides LinkedIn and connecting with co-workers, networking events are a great way to create professional connections.Through the years, Ive landed clients, and even a job, through my efforts at these professional networking events. Ive also connected with vendors that I ended up working with on projects and met other li ke-minded people who I ended up working with collaboratively to help promote one another. Networking opened doors to opportunities I would have otherwise missed, and these professional events helped.Thats not to say, however, that I didnt stumble along the way. Successfully navigating networking events isnt easy, and knowing how to network effectively may not come naturally. The good news is there are some key things you can do to help you avoid some of the stumbles many professionals struggle with when they first start attending networking events. Use the following networking advice to help you succeed at the next event you attend.Related How to Make the Most of Every Professional Networking EventDress appropriatelyNot koranvers how to dress for a specific networking event? Keep in mind that not all events require the same type of attire. Read up on the event, whether on a website, a brochure, or elsewhere, and see what you can find about the type of attire expected at the event.If you cant find the information youre looking for, its OK to contact the event organizers and ask. Whatever method you use to find this information, make koranvers you use it.If its a formal affair, be sure to show up dressed to impress. If its more of a business-casual environment, dont go overboard. Whatever the dress code may be, if you dont follow it youll stand out like a sore thumb. Dont be that partie.Be preparedKnowing how to prepare for an event can go a long way in being successful. Networking events are typically different than career fairs its important to make that distinction. Rather than coming prepared with resumes, think business cards instead. One of my favorite professional networking tips is that its important to be relaxed and act naturally at a networking event, so carrying around a folder full of resumes just doesnt allow for that. If you do come across someone whod like to see a resume, grab their business card and email it to them the next day.In addition to business cards, be prepared with a pen. You may need to jot down some additional info on a card youre handed, so bring a pen (or two) so you dont miss out on this opportunity. Think about each of the items youll need and make sure you have them packed and ready to go the night before.Be ready to deliver your elevator pitchOne of the most important things you need to have prepared is your elevator pitch. An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive pitch that really sells something, and its key for networking effectively. These are critical for business professionals to have for situations when theres only a short amount of time to impress. Networking events present attendees with many of these types of situations, so be prepared to pitch yourself or your business in two minutes or less.A solid elevator pitch can pique the right persons interest and convince them that theres a reason to stop and listen longer. Think of yourself as though you were selling a product. How would you sell you rself to the CEO of a major organization if you crossed paths on an elevator, and you only had 10 floors to go until the opportunity was lost? Develop and then practice your pitch. It takes guts to give a good elevator pitch, so be ready.Related 5 Tips for Delivering the Perfect Elevator PitchWork the roomNetworking events are no place for the timid. A great networking tip Dont linger too long in one area. One mistake I made early on was thinking that I could park myself at a table and the right people would come to me. Wrong A few stragglers may wander over, but in reality, the table with one random person standing at it is the table most people will avoid.A little solitude is nice, dont get me wrong, but theres no place for it at a networking event. You need to work the room in order to be successful, so find ways to smoothly enter conversations. Move around the room and dont spend the entire time talking to one person or group. Its OK to politely move on from a conversation becau se everyone at the event is likely there to talk to more people than just you. Exchange business cards, move on, and continue that conversation later.Dont overindulgeAs you work your way around the room, youll run into a number of tempting food and beverage options. Theres no shame in sampling food offerings or sipping on a glass of wine just make sure you do it in moderation.Too much food can make you look like a slob or give others the impression thats the only reason youre there in the first place. Plus, if your mouth is always stuffed with food, its difficult to have a meaningful conversation. Limiting the alcoholic beverages you consume goes without saying. The last thing you want to do is start slurring your speech and rambling on about a night you and your buddies had on spring break 10 years back. Just keep in mind that moderation is the key.Final networking-event thoughtsHow do I know that all these things work, you ask? Easy. All of these, aside from the overindulgence in alcohol, are mistakes I made early on. I got zero value out of the events I attended early on in my career, and so I made a conscious effort to learn from my mistakes and work to improve upon them.I analyzed my performance at each event, thought about what I did that worked and what I did that didnt work, and then compared my notes to how many solid connections Id made. Going into each subsequent event, I took what Id learned from the event before and used it to improve my performance. I like to challenge myself to be better and step outside of my box. The effort Ive put into improving my networking skills through the years has been infinitely valuable in helping me advance in my career. This networking advice can help you take that next step as well.Networking events offer lots of excellent value to professionals at all levels in their career. Take each event seriously, but dont expect to be perfect. Learn from your mistakes, and youll improve with each event. As they say, practice makes perfect.Click on the following link for more networking advice.Need help updating your resume before your next networking event? Start with a free resume reviewRecommended ReadingNetwork Like an Expert Networking Tips from the Industrys FinestSocial Networking How to Connect with Potential Employers OnlineYes, Business Cards Still Matter. Heres How to Craft Good Ones