Networking. Whether you love it or hate it, it is an essential part of many professions that successful, connected and driven young professionals (YPs) are a part of. Our cities are almost oversaturated with an abundance of professional networking events that inevitably (should) result in a shorter stack of personal business cards in your wallet, promising connections and meaningful, insightful shoptalk. If not, you may be doing something wrong. Here are some of our no-fail tactics for staying “on” throughout work events.
Avoid the negative
Part of being “on” means an ability to be present in the moment and to give off positive energy. Not only will positive energy immediately make you more attractive to others in the room, it can be contagious in the event of a meaningful conversation and will definitely be remembered. Thoughts that should not enter your mind: your 8am meeting the following day, the fact that you’re in the dog house with your SO again, how uncomfortable your suit or dress is, how the food just isn’t matching your hunger level, or the horrible work day you had. Save it for later.
Make time in your life to let loose and party aside from at work events
Although we inevitably slow it down when it comes to partying in our later twenties and thirties, make sure you make time for a good old fashioned party night with the girls or guys once in awhile. This way, despite the open bar, you won’t view the work event as an open invitation and opportunity to indulge in enough drinks to throw off your game and kill your strategy because it is the only chance you get to “go out.”
Be aware
Someone who is described as a good “people person” or a “master networker” likely possesses an acute awareness and sensitivity to what is happening in his or her surroundings. This means everything from exactly who is also at the event from the beginning (scope out the crowd from the onset so that you have an agenda of whose attention you’d like), when and when not to cut in a conversation, when the person you’re talking to has had enough of the conversation, and even details of the event that may make for ice breakers, conversation starters and filers in conversation.
Stay Current
Sure, everyone loves to meet that new gem of a person who makes them laugh non-stop upon initial meeting. But if your intentions are business-related, you should come armed to every conversation with a toolbox of relevant information and conversation pieces. This means everything from current industry trends and advancements to prominent gains made by others in your profession in your city, and even current local and world news events that may come up in conversation. You want to be viewed as an informed and intelligent person. Period.
Don’t stay too long
There is little need to stay at an event until the very end. Staying at the event until the early hours of the morning inevitably invites the opportunity for more alcohol consumption and drawn out conversations that should have already ended. Not to mention, there is more mystery and intrigue with that person who makes an impact at an event, works the room, then leaves unnoticed into the night regardless of whether or not he or she has something else to do. If you think it may be time to leave, it probably is.
Cover Image From discoveryourawesome.com