Do you know that networking is seen as be the most effective technique when it comes to getting a job and even landing amazing life opportunities in the 21st century?
Surprised?
We carried out a job-search survey this year, and surprisingly we discovered that 65.4% of employed Nigerians that took the survey got their jobs through networking.
When people listen to other people talk about the advantage of networking, the first thing that will likely come to their mind is meeting people (any kind of people).
Networking is not about meeting random people for the sake of meeting them, networking is about creating contact and connections with the right people. Having the right contacts can help you push your career/business and open doors and windows of amazing opportunities.
One of the perfect ways to build a connection with the right people is by attending a networking event like the “Lagos Intern Meetup”. Whether you are an intern, job-seeker, or a business person, you are sure to connect with people that can help you grow.
Smart networkers are always at the fore front of opportunities. See tips to help you network effectively at the event:
Building a good connection during a networking event can be really confusing especially when you are really anxious about connecting with great people.
Regardless of what you plan to achieve during the event, you should also be aware that the person you are looking forward to connecting with also looks forward to connecting with people too.
To network well during an event, you have to show that you are interested in the person that you want to connect with and you are not just about yourself and your business. People always love to know that you are interested in them and what they do.
Always take time to know other people and what they do, that way they feel that you are interested in their business and from there you can build a great relationship that can take you to the next level.
2. Be friendly and cheerful
A networking event is a social event, and you should have this on your mind when you are preparing to attend one.
Regardless of your personality type, the essence of a networking event is for you to meet and connect with people in a friendly and cheerful manner. You have to put on that friendly and cheerful appearance to make it easy for people to approach and connect with you.
If you are an introvert, then you have to step out of your comfort zone to make sure that make the best use of the event. Being cheerful and friendly during an event will help you create a great first impression at people will always remember.
One of the best ways to sustain another person’s interest at a networking event is to create an effortless impression on the person. When you attend a networking event without researching at all, there is a probability that you may come out as being aggressive in your approach.
Researching extensively about the people that you want to meet will make it easier for you to create a great first impression without much struggle.
Being encapsulated with your concerns and business proposals may make you listen less to other people because you can’t wait to tell people about your concerns. Researching about people that you want to meet will help you learn about them and also help you start a mutual benefiting and interesting conversation.
The best ways to create an amazing impression during a networking event is to be yourself in a sincere and casual manner.
During a networking event, it could be quite tempting for you to come out as very promotional in your approach towards people. It is okay to talk about your business or career growth during a networking environment, but be careful it does not come out as like a sales pitch.
You can talk about your career goals and businesses in an interesting and less formal manner. This way the person that you are speaking with doesn’t think that you are trying to sell something, but merely having an insightful conversation with you.
It is always important for you to research about the connections you want to meet so that your approach to them can be appear more personal and real.
Introduction is an important aspect of a networking event that you have to take seriously. Introducing yourself during a networking event is much more than saying your name to people that you wish to build a connection with.
Your introduction about yourself should be more like an elevation pitch. You should craft your introduction in such a way that it will strike a chord.
We all have things that love about ourselves, careers and businesses that we like to share with other people. So when you are introducing yourself, you should not forget to include that one thing that you are passionate about that will always help you stand out among the crowd.
A striking statement about yourself may be what will attract someone to start a great conversation with you, and who knows that may be the professional contact that will take your career to the next level.
When you are preparing to attend a networking event, you should prepare yourself to come with the right mindset.
As much as you are ready to meet and connect with great people, it is also important for you to be ready to give out what you have to other people. When I say giving out, I don’t mean that you should go out and start handing a gift to everyone that you meet at the event.
You should be able to add value as much as you would like to receive value too. Don’t attend a networking event with the selfish mentality of meeting people and not positioning yourself so that others can approach and gain from you.
7. Plan your look
Yes you still have to follow the old saying that states “Dress the way you want to be addressed”. Since you are looking forward to meeting people and creating an amazing connection with them, then you should consider planning your appearance.
You have to plan your whole appearance from the cloth you have to wear down to your accessories so that you pass the right ideas about your business to the right people.
When you want to attend a networking event, you have to put on something clean and smart and suitable for the weather.
There are many reason why you should appear smart when you are planning to attend a networking event; You should dress smart to pass the right information across, you also need to dress smart because you don’t know how far your pictures can go especially in this digital world.
Networking events are events that can open up a world of amazing opportunities for you, so you have to make sure you prepare ahead of the event.
Hope these tips will help you take advantage of the “Lagos Intern Meetup”
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