Networking isn’t a new phenomenon. It’s been around, well, pretty much forever. I think if anything there has been a decrease in recent years do to social media and new technology. Don’t underestimate the importance of a networking event though. For those of you who have gone to 30 networking events this year and not made a single profitable contact, I feel your pain. For most people, networking is just as much work as your day job–often times, minus the paycheck. When you make that one connection though, the connection that turns into the deal that turns into the relationship that benefits both parties, there’s nothing like it. You can’t help but to feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. And hey, in the meantime you may have met a new client, a new business partner or <gasp> even a new friend. So put down the cell phone, turn off twitter, stop uploading pictures from your Grandma’s 90th birthday on Facebook, and get out there and network. WAIT! Why don’t you first figure out what type of networker you are? It may actually help you understand why that person handed you SOMEONE elses business card.
1. The Serial Networker
Attending networking events is great. Attending every networking event? Well, people start to ask if you have an actual job. The Serial Networker is the person who is at every event from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Wine Tasting Event to the BBQ you’re hosting in your backyard. And no, you don’t know who they are. They jumped your fence and threw you a business card before you could ask though. This person knows the director of every event even though they were put on the DO NOT CALL, DO NOT EMAIL and AVOID AT ALL COSTS list five years ago. When people don’t want to see you at their fundraisers anymore, it’s time to take a networking breather. I just have one question for you serial networkers–How do you afford it?!
2. The “I’m Here with My Best Friend and We Have Better Things to Talk About in the Corner” Networker
We’ve all been there. Unless you’re #3, but I’ll discuss that later. Getting into networking is hard. But, do you really want to come off as the snobby, anti-social networker? Why even bother showing up. It’s great to go to a networking event with a buddy or a colleague. Spending the entire time siting in the corner, sipping on a glass of wine, picking at appetizers, talking about that one day in high school when you became life-long friends–not great. Step away from your safe place and meet people. That’s what it’s all about, right?
3. The “What Can You Do For Me?” Networker
To me, this is one of, if not the, worst kind of networker. I know you’ve met him or her. That networker who comes flying through the door like a bat out of hell, 15 minutes past fashionably late. They don’t even take the time to do a once over of who is in the room because they’re already on to their first victim. Head down, hand out (not to shake but waiting for the placement of your business card). Once your business card is in their hand, they’ll take the time to glance at your title to see if you can benefit them. If you can’t, they’ve already crinkled your card in their hand and dropped it on the floor in front of you before you can ask what it is they do. You don’t have time to ask anyway because they’ve moved on to someone higher up than you. For any of you who do this, STOP. I’m not telling you to stop your habits, I’m telling you to stop attending networking events. You’re selfish, unwanted and disliked by everyone.
4. The Drunk Networker
Yes. It is true. They do serve alcohol at most networking events. No. This does not mean it is ok to get wasted at a networking event. Everyone knows that networking events can be stressful for many people. It’s hard to get out there and meet new people. It was hard in high school and it’s hard now. BUT, it’s much more stressful when you find yourself unemployed because you decided to dance on the bar at the networking event your boss sent you to. Way to represent the company! There is a time and a place. I take that back. If you’re no longer drinking penny beers at your local college bar (or if you’re not in college anymore) you have no excuse to embarrass yourself at a public event. It means you didn’t go out enough in college.
I am by NO MEANS saying I’m a perfect networker. I’m getting better at it but I’m very far from even being good. I don’t think I’ve met the perfect networker. I think people have good days and they have bad days, and networking is no exception. I’ll give you my secret, I walk in with all the confidence in the world. I dress conservatively but trendy so I set myself apart. I shake hands with authority and look people in the eye. I don’t pretend to have an interest in what people do–I actually take interest it what they do. I don’t approach people with the goal to find out what they can do for me. I approach people in the hopes that I can do something for them. I relax and have fun (not the #4 networker fun). Hopefully your answer to this blog is non of the above. If you’re guilty of being one of these networkers–I know I’ve been at least one at some point (again, not the #4 networker) your fellow networkers will forgive you. Just ask them.
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