Posted on: Monday, September 26, 2005
Preparation ensures successful networking
By MICHAEL CROM
Gannett News Service
There are always networking events, such as career fairs, to make it easier for business professionals to find how others can help them. You will be surprised at how many experienced business professionals are willing to help you. Many are thrilled to pass along their knowledge and guidance. Find the next networking event in your area and follow these tactics to make a good impression:
Know who will be attending the event. By knowing who will attend, you can do a little research on the company or individuals there.
Arrive early. This is a must. Individuals will pay attention to you since the room is not crowded and they are not exhausted yet.
Dress appropriately. Wear a nice suit as though you are going to an interview.
Bring business cards or resumes. Many business people attend these events. I suggest having at least 100 cards and resumes with you.
Develop a personal 30-second "commercial" — a way to communicate your knowledge and expertise to others. Keep it short and to the point. In this case less is more.
Remember people's names and use them. It can score you many points.
Learn about other people before talking about yourself. Remember you are there to learn about them. By listening you get a general idea about how the business works and an idea about your future career.
Be friendly and smile. This will help you even if you are nervous. Just relax and try to be as comfortable as possible. It will make you look more confident.
Write personal thank you notes to people you met. This is a very easy and important step that you cannot miss. It will help the person remember you and a leave a lasting impression.
