How to make the most of networking opportunities

Networking has long been considered standard business practice. Networking events are useful to people who are seeking employment opportunities, partnerships, mentors or simply wishing to increase their list of contacts. These days, networking has moved online, with niche social networks catering to a variety of professional fields and industries. Whether you’re networking online or in person, you need to do your utmost to ensure that you stand out from the crowd. When it comes to creating a good impression and securing influential contacts, simple courtesy and an innate humanness often trump gimmicks and flashy grandstanding.

You know from personal experience that people are interested in other people who show an interest in them. We are often our favourite topic of conversation, and like nothing better than to be praised for recent achievements or to revisit old ones. This is why, regardless of the network setting, you should do your best to find out who the key players are, and conduct a little research on each of them. People are flattered when you’ve taken the time to learn something about them. Be careful, however, to keep your interest professional, as there is nothing more off putting than a sycophantic stalker.

You need to be prepared before you enter a networking situation. Your preliminary research on others is one aspect; knowing exactly what you want out of the experience and preparing an appropriate pitch are two other aspects. If you’re looking for partners, your approach will be different than if you’re after a job, which in turn will be different if you’re only interested in getting your name out there.

An article called “The four most common networking mistakes”, calls this the “elevator pitch”. Basically it’s a summary that briefly outlines who you are, your experience and your abilities. It’s called an “elevator pitch” because it must be short enough to be completed during a ride in a lift or elevator. About three minutes is considered long enough.

You need to practice your pitch so often that it doesn’t sound forced or rehearsed at all. There is no greater deterrent to building relationships than an introduction that’s vomited out like a cat getting rid of a hairball. It’ll lie awkwardly between you until the other person backs away gingerly and warns everyone else of the mess you made on the floor. Be confident, be yourself and don’t be arrogant.

Remember that a little respect goes a long way. The purpose of a networking event or website is to mingle and interact with as many people as possible. Don’t latch onto one person and take up all of his or her time. Respect your acquaintances’ personal space, don’t do any unnecessary, over-familiar touching and when they want to go, let them. When networking online, don’t bombard contacts with messages or questions and whatever you do, don’t spam them. You want to be professional, approachable and accessible, and not a pervasive presence that can only be shaken with the help of police interference.

Lastly, career-advice.monster.com says that you should never forget where you came from. Anyone who has ever networked knows how difficult it can be, and so owes a helping hand to everyone who follows in his or her footsteps. The person you help could turn out to be the next Richard Branson, and who knows what form his or her gratitude will take.

Recommended sites:

http://ca.hotjobs.yahoo.com/networking/The_Four_Most_Common_Networking_Mistakes__2004324-1355.html?subtopic=Networking+Tips

http://career-advice.monster.com/career-networking/Thirteen-Networking-Mistakes/home.aspx

Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers Find In Africa comprehensive Internet directory service one of the leading Internet directories for information ranging from business news and contacts to weddings.