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December 01, 2003

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American Career Executives®
East Valley Tribune

15 ways to network

1. Arrive to a party or event at least 20 minutes early and always be one of the last to leave.

2. Get to know the event check-in staff and ask them to help you to connect with the people you want to meet.

3. Review the names and companies on the attendee check-in list for people and companies you want to meet.

4. Take notice of people who have larger groups around them, and try to get into the larger groups to listen and meet people.

5. Use the names of the people you meet in conversations, and introduce people you meet to other people.

6. Always stay in the center of the room; never stay or stand by the wall. Stay close to the bar, but not too close. Stay in line with the door, the check-in desk and the bar.

7. Always have your business cards where they are easy to reach (a few in each pocket), and put all of the cards you receive in a separate pocket.

8. Keep a pen handy to make notes on the back of cards you receive.

9. When you are meeting and greeting people, ask what they do first, then tell them what you do in 30 seconds.

10. Never be the first or last to sit down at the dinner table, and only eat half the meal so you don’t get drowsy afterward. Use your best table manners.

11. When a new person joins your table, be the first to start the conversation, and keep the conversation going. Ask questions and show an interest in the other person’s business. Lean forward to show interest in the other person’s conversation.

12. Never bring up difficult topics in a group: Money, politics, religion or family.

13. Never have your back toward another person at the table, and never sit by people you already know.

14. Bring a small box of mints and share them with your table after dinner.

15. Never touch your face or nose with your right hand, never put your hands in your pockets and never come out of the bathroom with wet or moist hands. Go to the bathroom after the meal and check your teeth.

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