5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Attending Events
“It’s all about who you know.”
Chances are, you’ve heard that expression before.
Meeting new people is crucial for your career development… That means learning how to establish — and maintain — a network to deepen your job prospects. Having a well-established network can make or break your job prospects…. And one of the best ways to meet the right people is by going to events!
There are endless types of events, and you want to know how to get the most out of each one. Here are five ways to really reap the benefits of networking events.
1. Stand out from the crowd.
When networking, you’re vying for connections… and to get connected, you need to be interesting and memorable. There are a few ways to do this.
· Become part of the event.
Find a way to be a part of the event by being a volunteer, session facilitator, or even speaker. Going behind the scenes provides you with a visibility that sets you apart from the crowd… and can give you some insight into how those types of events work.
· Do your homework.
The more you know about the event or the attendees, the better. Whether that’s understanding the layout (open networking vs. back-to-back speakers) or having a list of people you know will be there that you want to connect with, you can make yourself stand out by already knowing a little bit about the environment you’ll be stepping in to.
2. Set Specific Event Goals and Objectives.
It’s important to go into any business-related event with a goal in mind.
Use Career Companion’s FREE events module to write down what exactly you want to get out of your networking experience. For example, your goals could be:
· Meet 3 new people
· Connect with people you already know
· Learn about two new topics
Your networking goals might change depending on the event and what you need for your career. Whatever your goals may be, you can utilize Career Companion to keep track of what you want to accomplish going in to your events.
3. Connect with people you already know.
If you know friends, colleagues, or customers that are attending, connect with them and make sure you spend some time with them at the event. You’ll feel more comfortable around someone you know, which will help you loosen up around those you don’t… especially if you’re being introduced by a mutual friend.
85% of jobs are filled via networking… the more people you know, the more likely you are to open up new opportunities. Let your current connections help you forge new ones!
4. Connect with new people.
Don’t be afraid to speak with new or important people… after all, the whole reason you’re there is to get connected! Say a simple hello, or set yourself apart by asking them questions about their career. Even just making small talk will foster a connection you wouldn’t have had otherwise. Once you shake hands with them in person, you can follow up by connecting on LinkedIn.
5. Reflect Post Event.
You want to remember everything you experienced! That’s why Career Companion helps you keep track of your events… Take some time after each event that you attend to jot down who you met, what you learned, etc. Logging everything allows you to easily go reconnect with people. Add attended and prospective events to your Career Companion library so you can easily see which events you’ve reflected on, and which you have to look forward to.
Also take the time to write down the connections you’ve made, and set a plan to follow up via email, LinkedIn, or any platform you can use to connect to them. The follow up is key… it doesn’t matter if you get the business card if you don’t get the relationship!
Are you ready to make the most out of your events? Don’t forget… Career Companion’s events module is here to help!
