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MAKE CONTACTS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS:
NETWORKING FOR SUCCESS IN A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIESPresented by Fred Hoffman, M.Ed.I. WHERE AND WHEN TO MAKE CONTACTS AND NETWORK
A. Anywhere, anytime
- You meet and talk to people everywhere
- Waiting in line
- On a plane or bus
- At a party, social gathering or celebration
- Place of worship
- Work-related events and social gatherings
- When and where you least expect it
II. WORK-SPECIFIC PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING
A. Have a plan!
- Determine networking ‘goals’ when possible
B. Attend a variety of industry events: seminars, workshops, conventions,
conferences, tradeshows, health fairs, fund-raisers, focus groups, etc. - Become a member of professional industry organizations
- Consult their website and publications for upcoming events
- Local – National – International
- Subscribe to online and print publications to learn about
upcoming events
C. Get involved in industry-related activities - Try public speaking (lecture or presentation)
- Give a free class
- Volunteer your time at an event
- Convention staff
- Free access to a large number of people
D. Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.)
E. Online resources (University website, blogs, forums)
III. NETWORKING BASICS
A. Introductions, conversations, active listening
- Formal introductions (by someone, or self-introduction)
- Determine how you are going to introduce yourself, and be
prepared to articulate the answer to ‘what do you do?’
- Getting conversations started
- Scan the room for someone to speak to
- Introduce yourself
- Create small talk
- Be curious, ask open-ended questions
- Be yourself and be genuine
- Practice active listening
- Take risks
- Prepare for rejection