Darrin Grella – Interview Guru

Two types of networking…in-person and online.  So in-person networking quite frankly is awkward and kinda sucks actually.  Let me tell you that in my career, it is my job to observe people and the interactions amongst them.  We have all heard, read and maybe even lived the fact that networking is the best way to find a new job.  The problem is that most people don’t know how to do it and almost no one does it well.

Agreed: Networking is the best way to find a new job however it is the slowest means to do so. In a past survey that we conducted with over 450 people who responded, proved the fact that networking is #1.  63% or 283.5 people (must have been a midget who took the survey) said that they found a job through networking.

Awesome.  So when you go to a networking event (in person) how do you approach the crowd?  So many people and even parts of the experience remind me of an 8th grade dance.  The “I want to talk to that person but don’t know what to say” feeling quickly fills your thoughts.  Hopefully this post will provide a starter list of things to do and say.  Please chime in an make this more than a one sided post.

SO WHAT DO I SAY?
70% of all human communication is NON-VERBAL.  I dive into those types of communication in my book, “The 10 Key Interviewing T.E.C.H.N.I.Q.U.E.S.” but for the sake of this post, that answers the majority of the questions with in-person networking.

• SMILE
• What are you wearing?
• Smile
• What is your body saying?
• Smile
• Keep a positive attitude.  Be that “person” in the room
• Introduce yourself (with a smile and firm handshake) and ask the other person, so, what type of position are you looking for?
• Ask people if there are any specific companies they are targeting and help them with names if you know anyone – ADD VALUE.
• You can ask the same thing: “I am looking to get introduced to ABC company, do you know anyone there?”

THE 10% RULE
Is it to collect business cards?  How about to shake everyone’s hands? How about for the snacks?  I would venture to say that you should have a goal, a defined purpose.  A wise mentor of mine had a 10% rule for meetings like this…”If you can take away 10% from the meeting then it was productive.”  So maybe your goal is to find the one skill needed to separate yourself from your competition, maybe you have a specific question or technique you are hung up on.  Ask the people there for their opinion.  Caution: Opinions are personal and need to be taken with a grain of salt.  Just because someone says something does not mean it is right or the only way.  A lot like this blog.

BE PREPARED
Have your business cards.  Have your resume handy and printed out in a portfolio or folder.  Have a short pitch about YOU that is precise, to the point and not a long drawn our presentation.  Again, have a purpose in mind of what companies you want to work for and why, what the ideal position looks like and a specific purpose.  Please be prepared and do not plan on just winging it, you can’t afford to.  What if the person in that room is the gateway into you landing your next job?

These experiences are meant to be positive.  Dry your sweaty palms, prepare yourself and take a big breath.  You are all there for a purpose.  Maybe this next time, you can maximize that purpose and get somewhere with your job search.

Much Success!