How to stand out at a networking event is what worries most people about networking events
. There are usually dozens of people attending and it is tough to have quality alone time with someone. That being said, here are several suggestions to make yourself standout.
1. Know how to introduce yourself. It is easy to say who you are and what company you represent. However, not everyone has an agenda when approaching someone. Is it to find out information about another company? Is it to gain contact information? Be aware that the person you are speaking with may not be able to do much for you. Often companies send lower level executives to general events.
2. Be careful to not sound similar to a salesperson. There is a fine line to selling yourself and talking too much about yourself. Try to talk about a success story which you were involved in, but talk in vague terms and not so much as to what you accomplished specifically. A formal interview or meeting will provide you the opportunity to share more about your specific talents.
3. Focus on the other person more than yourself. Ask several questions about what the other individual does and what it is they represent. What is it they are looking for? Ask how they started at the company and in what role.
4. Never bad mouth any individual or past company. Even if someone else brings it up. Think about how the negative talk would sound to someone who has never met you. It can be easy to bad mouth a place, especially if you were let go, but you never know who has connections back to your old company. Stay positive at all times.
5. Remember to thank the person you have been conversing with. Good manners often get lost at networking events, but they are still important. Thank them for their time and advice as everyone enjoys being complimented and feeling that they were able to help. Make them feel they helped you more than they did.
6. Introduce yourself to the host of the event. Most people are in such a rush to make their connections with the people attending the event, that they pay little attention to the host. It is possible the host is in charge of several events and it is always good to be invited regularly to these types of events.