Assistant Director for Professional Development
Simple, but important, steps to take when attending networking events:
- Look like an attorney: Always dress for the job you want. This doesn’t mean you have to wear your interview suit to all events, but look professional.
- Be relaxed and confident: To achieve this, take several deep slow breaths before entering the room. (If you’re really nervous, go to the restroom or coat check area to do the deep breathing.)
- Shoulders back and stand tall: This conveys confidence and control.
- Self-stick the name tag just below your right shoulder: This is where a person’s eye goes when shaking your hand. You want them to see and remember your name.
- Glass in left hand, and shake with your right.
- Provide a good firm hand shake: Another sign of confidence and control.
- Watch the amount of liquor you drink: You are at the event to impress and make professional connections, not to relax and party. Consider a soft drink or water with a twist. No one notices if you are not drinking alcohol, but will notice if you seem a little off.
- Do not scan the room like a lion looking for a fat zebra. Make eye contact with the people in front of you, and introduce yourself.
- Start and keep the conversation going by asking others about themselves: This is the best way to engage someone in a conversation and allows you to then naturally tell the person about yourself.
- Turn off your phone: You are at the event to meet and engage in conversation with other professionals. This is limited if you are on the phone or texting. It is especially rude to take out your phone while conversing with someone; it signifies that the interaction is not important to you.
- Hand your business card to people with the words facing that person: This allows an additional opportunity for the person to remember you and connect your face with the card. In many cultures, it is offensive not to do it this way.
- Treat their card with respect: Don’t just throw the person’s card in your pants pocket, but place it carefully in your wallet, purse, inside pocket of your suit coat, or business card case.
- Follow up your conversation by sending an email: This allows an additional opportunity for the person to remember you and your conversation. It also allows you the opportunity to suggest getting together for coffee to receive further input on your job search.
