Networking Tips That Actually Work
Summary: <a href="Networking%20Tips%20that%20Actually%20Work"></a><br> Evaluating Your Skills for Effective Networking with Networking Tips That Actually Work<br> Before you attend your first networking function or a professional conference, it’s a good idea and I would say it’s mandatory that you realistically evaluate the skills you have and the skills you need.<br> Doing this evaluation can help you to create a roadmap that will help guide your networking efforts.<br> The Skills You Have to Offer<br> The main idea behind effective networking is that you pay it forward by offering to help others. First, you need to consider your skill set and what you can offer to those you meet. What are the unique abilities that you can provide?<br> <br> Tip: However don’t be too eager to just jump in and start telling people how you can help them, but more on that a little later in this training.<br> It's often hard to recognize these skills by yourself. Few people have an objective understanding of their natural strengths and unique skills. It's much easier to seek the opinions of others that you trust to be upfront and honest about your strengths and skills. How do you help others in your work or daily life? How have you helped others in the past? What have been your most outstanding achievements? These types of things can assist in revealing your true strengths.<br> Tip: All students of this training should have completed Strengths Finder 2.0 and have your results so you can use that as a guide primarily.<br> Your Networking Skills<br> There is a whole range of people skills needed in order to network effectively. It helps if you're direct, honest, and outgoing. Those skills will help you find and make a connection with virtually anyone. The following short list of networking skills and questions to ask and answer will help when you’re working a room.<br> Good networking skills include:<br> <br> * The ability to approach others – How hard is it for you to strike up a conversation with strangers or introduce yourself?<br> <br> <br> * Non-verbal communication – This includes eye contact and even how you position your body. How’s your posture? What about your facial expressions? Do they match what you're saying verbally?<br> <br> <br> * Conversation skills – Do you know when to interject your thoughts into a conversation? Maintaining a balance between talking and listening, and keeping the conversation going is key to a productive and mutually enjoyable conversation.<br> <br> <br> * Listening – Listening is one of the most important skills in a networking situation. It’s important that you to pay attention to what others are saying in order to find commonalities. In addition it’s just rude to be disengaged from a conversation just waiting to pounce on something you can respond to for whatever it is you’re offering.<br> <br> Rant:<br> Now for my Social Media peeps… you know who you are. Stop tweeting when you’re talking to and meeting new people. Unless you’re asking for the persons Twitter handle leave your phone in your pocket or purse. Even when you are about to add them to Twitter and say something like “Let me add you on Twitter so we can keep in touch “, then put your phone away unless there’s an app or something you’re showing them that contributes to the conversation.<br> <br> * Self-confidence – You need to be able to communicate to others your expertise, knowledge, skills, and other benefits you offer them so don’t be ashamed to toot your own horn a little bit. Be tasteful but communicate with pride about your skills.<br> <br> <br> * Positivity – A big smile, plenty of enthusiasm and a positive feeling. It’s really hard for other to not be inspired and to react to you in kind when you’re positive and full of energy.<br> <br> Have you ever noticed some people at networking events and conferences are just negative and try to point our negative situations in th...
