Career Cube Blog

It’s very common to be hesitant to attend a networking event or party when you don’t know anyone. You want to be able to confidently work the room, meet everyone and have a good time. Instead you end up hanging out by the bar and eating your fill of cheese and crackers.

It’s OK. Everyone feels that way, and everyone has their own way of getting around it. Here’s a few tips.

Make it easy for others to connect with you. If you’re a woman, wear a piece of interesting jewelry, or a noticeable scarf. You don’t want to be the one wearing the pink cowboy hat, but you do want to be tasteful. If you’re a man, wear a class ring, pin, or an interesting tie. Give people something to talk to you about and ask you questions about as an easy icebreaker.

When you go to an event compliment others on what they’re wearing. (Secret:you don’t need to LOVE it) However, everyone does love a compliment and will instantly be your friend. That’s a great way to start a conversation and put someone in a friendly state of mind to network with you.

Share a slice of humanity with people. If you’re nervous–admit it to somoene else who also seems to be hugging the wall and have a nice laugh. If the food is above average, make a comment to the person in line with you.

50% of networking is the attitude you bring to an event, and 50% is the attitude that other people bring as well. If you’re talking to someone but they just don’t seem to be that into you, politely excuse yourself and move on. They might have had a bad day, may not be in the mood, could be coming down with a cold, anything! You don’t have to stay in a one-sided conversation. Which brings me to…

You need to have some conversation exit-strategies in mind, or bring a networking buddy with you. If you find yourself talking to someone for too long, simply say: “It’s been great talking to you, but I don’t want to monopolize your time. Is it OK if I follow-up with you next week?” You were polite so they didn’t feel like you were abandoning them, and you’re free to meet other people. A networking buddy can help rescue you, or you them, if you see that they’re stuck talking to someone too long.

If you want to be the person who “works a room”–then be that person. Have that image in your mind of a confident, funny, entertaining person who smoothly moves between different groups at an event. That person would make everyone feel important, get to know a little bit about everyone and then move on to another. He or she would always have a smile and a friendly attitude. They would also know when they needed to move on from a conversation–(HINT–improv trick–usually at the highpoint), and have several exit strategies at the ready. That’s it. That’s all it takes. It’s your attitude, and being aware of connecting with others.

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