How to maximize networking opportunities

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
LOS ANGELES, CA — Some guidelines should be followed in order to guarantee a successful networking event. First, DO NOT BE SHY! You’re not going to these events to huddle in a corner and hope somebody talks to you. Don’t wait for people to come to you. Introduce yourself, strike up a conversation and get the ball rolling.
Make sure you keep your meetings short. Although you’re looking for quality, you can only do that by talking to as many people as possible. Usually, you only have a general idea about the type of people that are going to be at these events. Keep a smile on your face, always be courteous, and keep your conversations short, sweet, and on point.

What should you talk about at these events? Logic tells you that you should pitch yourself and tell everybody you meet everything about the kind of work you’re looking for. We caution you not to do this. Networking events are the time to give “potentials” a small taste of your who you are, not the full meal. Spend more time asking the people you meet about themselves. Be someone they enjoy talking to, then exchange business cards so you can contact them at a later date to discuss business opportunities. By doing this, you’ll see a large increase in the success of your follow-ups.
Article by George Gurney, DearHeadhunter.com, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!