Follow These Tips for More Successful Networking

Networking events may seem like an extrovert’s paradise, but without a goal, the ability to drive conversations and collect contacts creates little value. Refine your business networking strategy by building productive relationships with influential colleagues and mentors, and nurture those connections to earn future career opportunities.Use these tips to make business networking more effective and engaging.

Choose Relevant Events

Look for business networking opportunities within your target industries that overlap with your career goals. Although it's useful to foster diverse relationships, professionals in related industries are better equipped to understand the value of your skill set and help you form mutually beneficial relationships with potential employers. Avoid preventable etiquette mistakes by contacting the event coordinator ahead of time to find out if a networking group has rules or membership requirements.

Prepare for Questions

Fellow networkers want to know who you are, and making a memorable impression helps contacts match a face to your business card long after the event. Approach business networking like an interview, and come up with answers to common questions in advance to avoid bumbling through conversations. Try to think of interesting ways to talk about your work experience and personal interests, such as a funny story. Always show enthusiasm for your industry to make your interactions feel personable and friendly.

Take Notes

Jot down brief notes about new contacts on their business cards. Write a few details about your conversation, especially any job titles, hobbies or personal stories your contacts mention. Referring back to previous interactions helps you form lasting connections and makes you a familiar, approachable fixture of your professional circle.

Be Respectful of Everyone

Your behavior is just as important as your conversations at business networking events, and you never know when an influential person may be watching. Start on a positive note by thanking the coordinator. When you’re a new attendee, arrive early to strike up conversations before familiar cliques begin to assemble. Regardless of waning interest, never abruptly dismiss others because they don’t fit your definition of importance. Blatantly opportunistic behavior makes you appear insincere and self-serving, discouraging others from seeking you out in the future.

Listen

Don’t use every conversation to make endless speeches about your incomparable talents. If you have a tendency to ramble out of nervousness, try to achieve a natural rhythm by asking a question after each time you answer one. Make an effort to include individuals who appear nervous, lonely or overwhelmed. Show genuine interest by commenting on shared passions and complimenting companions on their recent work or accomplishments.

Focus on turning casual business acquaintances into trusted contacts by sharing your own expertise and connections with others. As you familiarize yourself with different people, introduce professionals who can benefit from each others' services or knowledge. Use business networking know-how to demonstrate your value to others, and they are more likely to be invested in helping you make future connections.

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