7 Powerful Networking Tips to Accelerate Your Career

Networking builds relationships and contacts to help you succeed. The easiest way to build connection and rapport with others is to have conversations with them and discover their interests. Because of technology, less face-to-face time, and an increase in shyness, many people have difficulty making small talk and engaging others in conversation. We have put together the following tips to make it easy for you to network and build quality connections that are vital to a successful career.

Tip #1: Keep the focus on them

When it comes to conversation it’s true that people don’t care about you until they know how much you care about them. Show an interest in the other person first before you launch into too much about yourself. We like to suggest that you ask three questions about them and then share a little bit about yourself based on what you’ve learned from them.

Tip #2: Use business cards for conversation

Many people when they get a business card from someone make the mistake of immediately stowing it away in their pocket or purse without even looking at it. When networking and someone gives you their card, always take a few moments to really look at it. This will not only help you remember the person’s name, it will often provide openings for conversation. Use what you see on the card to find out more about their career or business with comments like; “I didn’t realize you had offices in Hawaii” or “What an interesting logo, who designed that for you?”

Tip #3: Your elevator pitch shouldn’t sound like an elevator pitch

Don’t try to sell yourself or your services to people as soon as you meet. Come up with a brief or concise way of introducing yourself, rather than going into a lengthy explanation of what you do and who you do it for. A good idea is to come up with a teaser style of self introduction that will encourage the other person to ask you to explain or elaborate. We know a realtor who often introduces herself as “I’m Mary Smith, a military relocation specialist.” Almost everyone is curious enough to ask her for more details.

Tip #4: Commonalities can build connection

Be in the moment when you’re having conversations with other people. Keep your ears open for things that you might have in common with them. Shared interests or experiences can quickly build rapport and connection. The mistake many make is to jump in too soon about your shared experience and commandeer the conversation away from them. If they said that they took a vacation to Paris, don’t say “Oh, me too! I loved it; we went to… and did…” and then go on and on about your trip. Let the other person tell their story and then share and weave in your experience with theirs.

Tip #5: Prepare for conversation

Read or skim the paper or listen to the news so you have 2 or 3 conversational gambits or topics to build conversation. Remember you don’t have to be an expert on things. Experts aren’t perceived as good conversational partners. They tend to talk at people rather than talk to people. You just have to know enough so you can introduce the topic or add one or two points to the conversation. Great conversationalists know how to ask the right questions and let others do most of the talking.

Tip #6: The best way to end a conversation smoothly

Many people end a conversation with something lame like “Well, it’s been nice meeting you.” A much better way to end a conversation is to briefly summarize or sum it up and then end with a positive statement and a handshake. “That Chicago trip sounds like it will be a great business
opportunity, I look forward to meeting you again and finding out how it went.” Try to end all your conversations in this upbeat manner and you’ll leave them a subconscious feeling of warmth towards you.

Tip #7: A positive follow up builds the relationship

If you want to be memorable to those you meet then follow-up but don’t do it with a sales call. When you meet someone that you have a connection with or that you established some rapport with, always follow up with an e-mail or better yet a handwritten note. This should be done within 24 hours of meeting them. Use a very brief summation of your conversation or commonalities ending with a positive statement. It can be very similar to how you verbally ended the conversation using Tip #6. This type of followup promotes the development of stronger relationships.

All successful businesses and careers are based on networking and relationship building. If you follow these 7 tips, you will find it easier to influence and build connection with everyone you meet.

This article is courtesy of Terry Pithers and Joanne Blake, of Style For Success Inc., business image/etiquette consultants and creators of the web’s premier online dining etiquette training program – www.diningforsuccess.com. Rated Best Online Business Dining Course by the Wall Street Journal.

Source: QS TOPGRADSCHOOL

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