Networking Hints 101: 5 to Get Started
If you’ve read this blog, you know I’m obsessed with networking, Will Arnett and helping people achieve their potential. Not necessarily in that order but anyways. My business is rapidly gaining momentum, so people are less comfortable rolling their eyes openly when I stress that connectivity is everything, but I realize that many people, while willing to give networking a try, don’t really know how to begin. To help you, here’s some things to consider:
1. Choose networking events/groups based on your goals: If you’re planning to network your way to a better legal job, for example, going to random Meetup meetings among lawyers is probably going to be a waste of your time. You’ll probably end up spending several hours with people who are under-employed, or unemployed, and you might be one of the few people there with a job. If you’re looking to move up the ladder, you need to schmooze with (hiring) partners and people higher up the food-chain. You’d do better to check the local Bar Association in your city, as well as your law school’s alumni events. Look at the websites of the ABA, your law school, minority law associations, women law groups, law associations based on your industry, your region, even your religion, looking for groups hosting paid(!) wine-tasting, luncheons, and the like. Think of the partners at your current firm, for example? Would they be caught dead networking with the hoi polloi in Brooklyn? Doubtful. You want to put yourself in front of members of your industry who are (at least theoretically) several rungs above you on the corporate ladder, since these are the people who, if impressed, can help you advance your own career goals. I also suggest checking out the guest list: are there people on that list who have some kind of synergy with your goals? If not, why are you going?
2. Avoid free networking events: Unless you want to be depressed by your fellow man, I can’t stress strongly enough that if a networking event is free, nine times out of ten, it’s not worth your while. Some of you hippies are all, “Wow, Carlota: snobbish much? What about the inner dignity of every human?” Does that include Congress, because if so, um, I have a two-part question. Just remember that right now, you’re trying to create the professional opportunities your career needs, not save the whales, and if an event is free–especially in NYC, given the cross-section of “humanity” we’re endowed with–you’re going to spend an evening surrounded by people who couldn’t start a car, never mind a job-search. The only reason I’d suggest going to a free event is to practice your pitch in a safe place, i.e. a place where if you bomb, no one will notice. Otherwise, identify your goals, your industry, be as specific as possible, and then start by checking eventbrite.com for paid events in your field.
3. Present as you wish to be perceived: When I’m going to a networking event, I grit my teeth and force myself to dress up and put on makeup. I may have spent the day whining swaddled in sweats and cat hair, but the people I meet will never know it. I go to these events to get clients, I go to sell, and so must you. You’re on display, you’re being sized up so wear a nice suit, or a chic professional dress. (Check out 6pm.com, for some great deals, ladies.) You want to impress people, so they have a reason to help you. Even if you’re brilliant, even if your resume is amazing, if you go a networking event in jeans, with no makeup, looking like you got dressed in the dark, during a fire…think about it from the POV of the other people. They’re going to think, “This is what she considers professional?” And then they’ll do that, “Oh, I forgot my card, shucks” thing and it’s on to the next one! And you just sabotaged what could have been a great connection. That makes me grumpy. Let’s not do that.
4. Finally, think about what you want people to take away from a conversation with you. You don’t have to have a monologue prepared, but you’re not going to have hours to introduce yourself. You need to make a strong first impression or people, being the emotional seagulls we are, will get distracted by someone else cooler and shinier across the room and forget about you. You want the people you meet to know what you’re looking for, and how they can help you. You want them to have an idea of your personality, your experience, and what you have to offer. In a sense, you want them to come away with a condensed version of you, your goals and your experience. On the other hand, if the thought of preparing a statement makes you vomit with fear….relax. It’s always better to go to the events,and see that other people are human just like you, and lose your hangups, than to decide that no, you can’t network until you’re perfect. If nothing else, wear a nice suit, bring a handful of business cards and smile. A man or woman who is well-dressed and polite and doesn’t ram their personality down other people’s throats is always going to make friends.
5. Get started today. Networking ALWAYS takes 10 times longer than it should. You have to let the process develop organically. Get started before you’re ready. You’ll never be “ready.” Just get started. The more you get out there, into the wild blue yonder of your ambition, the more you’ll figure out exactly what networking nuances work for you.
Want more personalized hints just for you and your issues? Of course you do! Become a fan of my Facebook business page, “Carlotaworldwide Creativity Yenta,” and email me at carlotazee@gmail.com, to claim your free consultation.