You have a lot to gain from networking, but it’s not always easy – this is how you avoid the worst mistakes.
Networking is important. It gives you a better chance of finding new career opportunities (which are not on the ad pages) and you can gain valuable lessons and contacts within your industry.
But most of us don’t actually get that much out of our networking. This can be due to a number of common mistakes, which result in a cramped event where you get more out of free food and red wine than the people in the room.
For networking to bear fruit, you need to step out of your comfort zone and make personal connections in a professional way.
These behaviors characterize poor networking – and so you avoid them:
Contents
It’s not about you
The networking is first and foremost an exchange of information, contacts and career opportunities.
Do not allow your conversations to be traced out in personal opinions and unnecessary chatter, but be factual and concise. Remember that the person you are talking to also wants to get something out of the conversation. What do you have to offer your counterpart?
You get stuck in your own group
You already know your colleagues. The goal of networking is to broaden your views, so make sure you collect business cards from new people.
You have no plan
This is a common mistake. If you have not made clear what you want the networking to result in, your counterparty will not be able to help you either.
Want to gain insight into a new industry or business? Please identify in advance the key people you know will participate, and get acquainted with them.
You do not have conversations that establish a connection
It is extremely important to find a balance between the professional and the emotional. People will not remember you after the event if you fail to make a good and relaxed impression.
The old tricks apply: show with your body language and your voice that you are genuinely interested.
They do not know how to greet and engage
It is noticed very quickly if you avoid people. Although it can receive, you should be able to break the ice smoothly. If you join an ongoing conversation: do not interrupt. Instead, wait in the right position to introduce yourself.
They don’t know when to stop talking
Doyle believes that there is a hard line between self-assurance and arrogance. If you talk too much about yourself, you will run away from you people. Instead, ask more questions, and ask others to share.
You’re not practicing
Networking is about training, so don’t give up. When you master the above tricks, you will have an asset that lasts a lifetime.
