Worst Face-To-Face Networking Mistake

• 

I was at a pretty large networking event recently where I witnessed the most painful attempt at face-to-face networking I’ve ever seen.

It made me realize something about face-to-face networking advice I fear lots of people misinterpret.

It’s not an exact science. There’s no step-by-step process. Face-to-face networking is dynamic.

Watch the short video where I explained what happened and who I think does the best job of giving advice on face-to-face networking. (Hat tip to Chris Brogan.)

I think the best tip I ever got was to remember networking is a means to an end.

Don’t psych yourself out when you network because you feel it’s going to make or break you getting a job. It’s like your resume, it needs to be in good shape, but it is never the only factor in getting you the job.

Instead, focus on making a connection. Listen to people, engage them in conversation, use the advantages of face-to-face neworking (ie. body language, facial expressions, eye contact, etc.). If you leave making one new friend, you succeeded in face-to-face networking in my book!

Your Turn

Share with me the worst face-to-face networking mistakes you’ve seen?

What are your tips for job seekers to help ensure their face-to-face networking is working?

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

• 

Related Posts

• 

  Do Recruiters And Hiring Managers Read Cover Letters?
  Do Recruiters And Hiring Managers Read Cover Letters?
• 

  The New Top 5 Resume Writing Rules
  The New Top 5 Resume Writing Rules
• 

  2 Important Myths About Passion
  2 Important Myths About Passion
• 

  7 Effective Job Search Strategies For Executive Career Transitions
  7 Effective Job Search Strategies For Executive Career Transitions

4 Comments

1. 

   Tigran

   May 10, 2013 at 9:02 PM

   Serious overacting :)

   Reply
2. 

   Lorraine J Fay

   April 29, 2013 at 10:32 AM

   The worst Networking mistake I have witnessed ? While attending a conference in Ottawa we where invited to a Formal gathering the enening prior to our departure.
   A colleague with whom I was assigned to share a room apparently took a fancy over the few days for another colleague.
   My room mate we will say proceeded to “Out do her self” in terms of Overall appearance & cocktails. Clearly this was not the same person I was introduced to just a few days prior.
   During the evening all control was lost. A smart, vivacious, spirited person became the talk of the evening.
   The next morning my room mate had no recollection of the events the night before.
   I can say the conference was very informative & I too learned alot from the crisis mode my roomate encountered.
   Never mix business with pleasure ! Reciepe for disaster on every level
   BLess
   L

   Reply
3. 

   Stephen

   January 21, 2013 at 1:57 PM

   Would you please send me a link to Chris Brogan’s networking information to which you are referring. As I’m sure you know, there are many Google links to his name and I couldn’t find the right one. Thanks.

   Reply
4. 

   RMeyer

   January 21, 2013 at 11:29 AM

   Just wondering what you did afterward, i.e., if you contacted this person and directed him to Chris Brogan’s tips. As you, yourself, said, he obviously was uncomfortable doing it but doing it anyway.

   Reply