In a very far corner hidden behind Natalie’s desk, I found a poster well-framed and hung on the wall. The brains behind this poster is Diane Darling, a renowned speaker, instructor, author, and leadership coach specializing in professional networking strategies. I was astonished to find out that there was no blog post written on that poster and shared with you all. So here I am sharing THE BEST NETWORKING TIPS I read this week.
– Ariha Jain, MSBA’24
14 Networking Tips from a Secret CSE Resource
#1 Before attending any conference/networking event, search on the web to get the sense of the audience. Do a little research about people you plan on meeting to know who they are and what they do. This information will help you break the ice with them.
#2 Plan on wearing something which will help you stand out from the crowd. “You can also carry a small leather portfolio, about twice the size of a wallet, with two pockets: one for business cards coming in, the other for cards going out. No fumbling.” Check out the Business attire guides, brought to you by our Career Captain Team.
#3 Walk through the concourse confidently and smiling. Don’t directly dive in and ask for a job, it sends out the wrong signal. “Behave like powerful people who come to these events because they want to meet other skilled, talented people. So carry yourself accordingly. Don’t fold your arms. Look like you are having a good time.”
#4 “Head first to the breakfast table, not because you are hungry; People go accessible around the food as talking and eating go together. Carry your orange juice in your left hand and shake hands with your right hand.”
#5 Take a quick round of the room and scan names into your memory before you pick people of your interest to talk to. Don’t read name tags while talking to people and always maintain eye contact.
#6 A good start is approaching VIP’s first. Like, connecting with one of the guest speakers before their presentation as they love to talk and can be great contacts, but after they give their speeches they are swamped.
#7 It’s harder to integrate into a group. “Spot the lone wolves (people standing alone) as individual contacts are best and one-on-one makes for the most effective networking.”
#8 Approach people and ask them their connection to the event to know more about them so that you can connect to their interests and lives. “When asked about yourself, introduce yourself and tell your name at the end so they are more likely to remember it!”
#9 Be the first one to extend your hands for a hand shake. It’s a sign that you are eager to interact and know the other person. Also, don’t forget to shake hands good-bye as it will make the conversation memorable.
#10 While talking to the people you’re meeting for the first time, ask open-ended questions to understand if their connection to you will be of any help. Try to sound curious and let the other person talk more about what they do.
#11 At the end of every conversation, ask the person for their business card. You never know which connection can help you in what ways until they do.
#12 Before approaching a VIP, you can also look around and find a mutual acquaintance who can give your introduction to the VIP before the conversation starts. This way you can build an association with the person and will have context to talk about as your conversation starter.
#13 Try helping people if they expect you to be their mutual acquaintance in a conversation. “Always try to be a connector, the person who brings people together. This will make you look well-connected and make the person want to return your favor.”
#14 Bingo! You left the conference with around two dozen new contacts. Don’t forget to call these leads next week and follow-up with them either over a phone call or a meeting over coffee. “Even one contact like that makes the whole day worthwhile.”
I hope you enjoyed traveling through these networking tips (and my personal take on them) as much as I did! See you at the next networking event – good luck!
This original blog post was written by CSE Career Captain, Ariha Jain, MSBA’24, for the Ahoy Captains! CSE Connect Blog.
