During a recent networking event, our wonderful host brought to light common networking missteps—forgetting to offer support, missing opportunities to ask for help, or simply not asking the right questions… And it struck me how often I, along with many others, fall into these traps. Let me share a couple of faux pas and some straightforward strategies for your next interaction:
💡 Being Too General: Take the actuary I met. She was a math graduate, fully qualified as an actuary, yet also open to positions as a project manager or executive assistant. This broad approach made it challenging for me to identify suitable opportunities for her. My suggestion? Focus on something specific. It doesn’t mean closing doors to other possibilities but streamlines the process of finding matches.
💡 Asking for the Wrong Help: Then there was the Business Analyst, openly seeking a new job without considering whether I was in a position to offer one. It felt like navigating without a map, awkward for both sides. A more effective strategy is to express interest in connecting with professionals in your field, transitioning from a broad request to a targeted, engaging conversation—and results in an "ask" that is much easier to respond to.
🌈 Takeaways: Have you ever found yourself committing these networking faux pas? How does it feel when you're approached with a vague request or asked for help that's beyond your capacity to give? Are you prepared with an answer when asked, “How can I help you?” Reflecting on these questions can guide us towards more meaningful and productive networking interactions.
💌 PS: "Heart work gets you further." Networking isn’t just about what connections you can make but also about the support you can offer. Enter each interaction with purpose, ready to give as much as you receive. Together, we can transform networking from a mere task into a meaningful, heartfelt exchange. 💖
Comments