{"id":13222,"date":"2019-12-26T04:39:24","date_gmt":"2019-12-26T09:39:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internsdc.com\/?p=13222"},"modified":"2019-12-26T04:39:24","modified_gmt":"2019-12-26T09:39:24","slug":"a-purposeful-party-networking-101","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atdevserver.com\/Internsdc\/a-purposeful-party-networking-101\/","title":{"rendered":"A Purposeful Party: Networking 101"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Putting Your\u00a0Best Self\u00a0Forward at Events<\/h3>\n

The legendary head football coach of the Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi, said \u201cWhen you go into the end zone, act like you\u2019ve been there before.\u201d It\u2019s now a pretty common saying that essentially just means, be cool.<\/p>\n

Last week<\/a> we gave some tips on how to build your own personal network to help you stay ahead of the curve in today\u2019s job market, as well as some networking events that might be worth checking into. This week we\u2019re going to dive into how to carry yourself while you\u2019re actually attending one of those events. Because when it gets down to it, you want to be able to walk that walk, and talk that talk. Here\u2019s some ways you can accomplish this.<\/p>\n

Background Check<\/h3>\n

When you go out, go somewhere where you’ll meet people who can connect you to your dream job. Then, take time to research companies that you\u2019re interested in and see who might be showing up at your event. It can make a big difference. For example, David Yarrus, a senior manager at a top ad agency in New York, once said, \u201cNothing was more exciting for me than when a student approached me saying he loved the ad campaign we did for Visa.\u201d It showed the student did his homework, and the manager was instantly engaged in the conversation and immediately wanted to know more about the student. All you need is ONE fact to blow someone away. And throwing in a compliment along with it doesn\u2019t hurt either.<\/p>\n

Heads Up!<\/h3>\n

As Susan RoAne, author of How to Work a Room<\/em> put it, “The physical act of walking into the event may be the hardest part, especially if you don\u2019t know a soul. So take a deep breath, stand tall, and walk into the center of the room\u2026\u201d Or in other words be confident<\/span>. Approach the unapproachable, shake hands, look them in the eye, and have a quick blurb about yourself ready to go. Having an intriguing brand statement ready will add confidence to your manner, and open the door to a bigger conversation. For instance, saying “I am a writer,” is not really going to start the ball rolling, but saying “I help people look smart and get attention on their blogs,” may cause the person to ask you questions about what you actually do. Ah, now you are cooking. Then, switch the conversation to THEM. People remember YOU more if you let THEM talk about themselves.<\/p>\n

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Ducks in a Row…<\/h3>\n

It’s probably not a good idea to have to have a briefcase filled with your resumes to hand out. It’s a social event, and connections should be made in that context. But you should be ready and come prepared. Business cards, contact information, and some form of PDA are the best ways to give and receive info. Good old-fashioned pen & paper is good to have as a back up as well. You don\u2019t want to use your hand or a napkin to write down someone\u2019s info.<\/p>\n

Leave the Lampshade at Home<\/h3>\n

Even though networking events are often in bars, clubs, or other laid-back venues, that doesn\u2019t mean you should act the party animal. It\u2019s probably best to avoid challenging someone to a drinking game or grab the mic from the DJ and do a shout out. Remember why you\u2019re there. Be professional but not rigid. Be social but not the Book of You<\/em>. Also, dress appropriately. Your motive is expanding your professional network, not necessarily making a new love connection.<\/p>\n

Cast a Wide Net<\/h3>\n

The more events you go to, the better.\u00a0In fact, one of your goals at any event should be to find out additional events you can attend in the future. The more you go, the more you\u2019ll feel familiar with the format and the more comfortable you\u2019ll feel working the room. When at an event, talk to a lot of people for a short time. Unless you really have something going, move on and chat with other people. Agree to take a next step and meet a few people for a coffee. Put yourself out there, you never know who you’ll meet, but you can be sure if you stay home, you’ll most likely meet no one.\u00a0Practice makes perfect.<\/p>\n

And as an aside, a great way to expand your network is by taking advantage of any volunteer opportunities that might be available. Some good ones coming up in Washington to think about are:\"volunteer\"<\/a><\/p>\n