10 More Ways to Improve Your Networking Skills
Networking is an essential skill for first generation professionals.
As we have discussed in prior FGPM Articles (our favorites are listed below), your approach to networking can differ depending on your goals for the event, the group within which you are connecting, or even the event at which you are networking. In this Article, we give you 10 more advanced considerations to continue honing your networking skills.
“Can” your Responses
Once you begin to attend networking events regularly, you will notice frequently recurring questions, such as “Tell me about yourself” or “What do you do?”. Your responses to these questions can be pre-written and memorized prior to the event, so you can begin the conversation having already prepared a brief description of your background and current role.
Practice with Friends
Practice makes perfect! Enlist the help of a few friends or colleagues to help you practice your canned networking responses or answer questions on the fly. From there, they can give you feedback on your canned responses, or simply help you build confidence in answering common questions.
Set Goals for the Event
Approach each event with a goal for introductions, reconnections, or leads. These goals could be anything from a number of new connections, to an number of business cards handed out or LinkedIn requests made, or meeting a specific person you know will be in attendance. Setting goals for the event will allow you to feel productive with your time; you can even try to make it a game with yourself or your colleagues.
Allen also recommends creating specific goals to help you make the most of attending. That might mean staying at the venue for at least one hour or getting contact information from at least two people before the event ends (4).
Follow Up
Once you have met your goals for the event, be sure to take the time to email or LinkedIn message each connection to remind them of your conversation, within 24 to 48 hours of the event. You want to meaningfully develop each connection and following up with an email will help your new connections remember you at the next event (4).
Keep in mind that an email is the best mode of communication for a new professional connection. Avoid texting and phone calls unless you develop a personal connection (3).
Don't Forget Industry Events
No event is too big or too small to network. While the obvious networking will happen at business or company events, or events within your location’s professional circles, consider attending a larger-scale or industry-wide event to broaden your range of connections. This will also help you meet people in other aspects of your industry with roles that may be relegated to yours, who can serve as thought leaders or points of reference. Ask if your employer will cover the registration costs as a professional development opportunity.
Find Common Interests
Even in a professional conversation, you will want to find commonality. Not only does this build rapport, it shows an understanding of your new connection’s business and general interests, which will help the conversation flow more naturally. Consider questions such as, “What do you enjoy most about your job?” or “What do you do on the weekends?”
Body Language
Once you are more confident in your conversation skills, start to pay attention to your body language during group networking opportunities. Are you closed off to other members of the group? Perhaps you can consider a “nod and smile” to show interest, if your face is perpetually neutral? Remember to shake hands firmly and square your shoulders to the person speaking in your group.
Mind your Manners
This tip should go without saying in a professional context, but be sure to use your basic manners, such as “excuse me” and “thank you.” If you accidentally cut off a speaker, or commit another unintentional error, feel free to briefly apologize and redirect the conversation back to them. If you are cut off by another speaker, it is also acceptable to nicely, yet firmly, state that you were not finished speaking.
Another observance of proper networking etiquette would be to correctly pronounce your new connection’s name.
Ask them how to correctly pronounce their name, and repeat it back to them to make it easier for your mind to remember. Find a few opportunities to use their name in your conversation with them, she adds: It can make you more personable while increasing your chances of remembering it (4).
Stay Positive
While it might be tempting to speak badly of a colleague or employer during a networking event, especially when catching up with established connections or former colleagues, keep in mind you do not know if that former colleague or employer is in the network of your conversation partner (or if you are within earshot of a member of their network). Staying positive in conversation also allows you to create a stronger first impression and will make your new connection wish to speak with you again.
Provide Mutual Value
The best long-term networking connections will provide mutual value depending on your industry and expertise. For example, perhaps you make a new connection who works at a company at which you have applied for a job and you are seeking more information on the organization or interview process. That connection might ask you to then write a LinkedIn recommendation for their work at the company, since you are already familiar with the business sector or have a high opinion of the organization.
[I]t's important to consider what you can offer in return. Think about the skills and expertise you can share, and seek out individuals who you can help and who can help you. Building relationships based on mutual respect and a give-and-take mentality will result in stronger, more meaningful connections (1).
This mutual value will become clearer over time and as you get a feel for your new connection. You can also build goodwill with a new connection by donating to one of their fundraising causes, supporting or sharing an article they’ve written, or otherwise utilizing your skillsets on their behalf.
Build confidence over time
Networking is a challenging, and often intimidating, part of young professionalism. Nobody’s networking skills are perfect and speaking to (relative) strangers can be an intimidating experience. As first generation professionals, improve your networking skills one event, one connection at a time and after a few years into your career, you will be utilizing the above tips like a pro.
For more networking best practices, including conversation starters, check out these other FGPM Articles:
Small Talk for a Big First Impression: Easy Conversation Starters for Young Professionals
Before, During, and After Your Time in the Room: Margaret’s Tips to Make Networking Work for You
Citations
Vyas, Roman Kumar. “4 Reasons Why Networking Is a Must for All Successful Entrepreneurs.” Entrepreneur, 20 Mar. 2023, www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/why-networking-is-a-must-for-successful-entrepreneurs/447070.
Zwilling, Martin. “8 Business Networking Basics to Expedite Your Career and Business.” Inc.com, 9 May 2023, www.inc.com/martin-zwilling/8-business-networking-basics-to-expedite-your-career-business.html.
Sons, Tammy. “Level Up Your Business With These Business Networking Tips.” Forbes, 6 July 2023, www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/07/05/level-up-your-business-with-these-business-networking-tips/?sh=38db32ac7237.
Constantino, Annika Kim. “7 Steps Introverts Can Take to Become ‘Master Networkers.’” CNBC, 29 Sept. 2022, www.cnbc.com/2022/09/29/expert-networking-tips-for-introverts-from-coach-jevonya-allen.html.
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