How to Network Successfully

Today we came across a great article on networking.  It’s called The Top Eight Rules of Networking by Kelly Eggers. 

You hear it constantly: Network, network, network.  An important way to get your foot in the door is through a referral or an inside advocate.  But we understand that it’s easier said than done.  Despite knowing this very important piece of advice, many people are truthfully both intimidated and confused as to how the networking process actually works.  They think, Yes I know networking is important, but how do I network?

It’s one thing to build contacts through a networking event and another to still be able to call up those contacts months later and ask for a referral.

Therefore, today we asked ourselves, how can we learn to not just network, but network SUCCESSFULLY?

1-The Introduction

• Pay attention to the arrangement of people in the room and the numbers within each group.  Choosing a good time and group of people to join is just as important.  Those who are alone, or in groups of two or three provide a good opening for you to start or join the conversation.
• State your name clearly and give a firm handshake, while maintaining eye contact. 

2-Narrow and target your Pitch

•  ”Most people begin by reciting their resume in reverse chronological order,” says Jodi Glickman, author of Great on the Job.
• “Instead, you should start with what you want to do — your destination — then a brief backstory, and connect the dots between them,” says Glickman. Share what’s relevant, not what’s recent. “The latest thing you’ve been working on might not be related to what you want to do next.”

3-Know what to share and what not to

• Be personable, but don’t attempt to carry on the conversation by sharing too many intimate details.  “For example, don’t tell me that you were out of work for six months because you recently had brain surgery, or because you were laid off.” People are going to feel as if they need to pity you, but you don’t want that to be the foundation of a relationship.”

4-Maintain normal social constructs

• Looking from someone’s eyes to the middle of their forehead is professional, versus a more social gaze of eyes-to-mouth, says Goman. You should also try to keep an arm’s length away from anyone you’re talking to, says Misner.

4-Don’t overstay your welcome

• Don’t take up too much of their time.  Sometimes a good time to leave is when the conversation has been successful and interesting.  This leaves a good closing impression.

5-Hand out Your Business Card, Not Your Resume

• Don’t ask brand new connections for a referral and hand them your resume.  However, you can still facilitate a referral exchange in the future by exchanging business cards.  Contact them for a referral at a later time.
• When you’ve parted, take time to jot down any personal information they may have mentioned.   This will help to maintain the relationship in a future exchange or email and help jog their memory on your acquaintance.

6-Follow up and through

• Get in touch within 24 hours to say that you enjoyed meeting them.

7- Keep track of your contacts

• Call or email contacts occasionally to see how they’re doing for the purpose of just keeping in touch.  Show that you’re interested in their lives even when you don’t need them specifically for a referral.  You never know—in the future you might!  But by the time that you need them for a referral, you will have already established a past history of interchange and dialogue.

Read more at The Top Eight Rules of Networking by Kelly Eggers.