- Be intentional - networking isn't about how many business cards you can collect, it's about finding a networking opportunity that serves a purpose or helps meet a goal.
- Have an icebreaker - walking up to a stranger and starting a conversation isn't always easy. Having a question to ask is helpful. "What brings you to this event?" Or "tell me about you and what you do" are great icebreakers.
- Be open about your career goals - we often don't want to be pushy or disingenuous about our goals when networking, so we don't speak up. It's beneficial for you to share what your business requires, or what you're looking to accomplish. You never know who might be a solution to your challenge!
- Follow up - networking isn't over when you leave the event. If you had a great conversation with someone at a networking event, send them a note or email and remark about your interaction with them. Mention something specific that you enjoyed about speaking with the person. If you offered to connect them with one of your contacts, follow through. Continuing to build relationships in the follow up is vital.