2 days Ago
Small things go a long way at networking events: eye contact, shaking hands, body language, smiles. Getty Images Ask Women and Work Question: I go to networking events regularly. But once I get there, I don’t know what to do with myself.
I feel uncomfortable and awkward. How can I do this successfully? We asked Istiana Bestari, co-founder of networking organization Monday Girl, to tackle this one: This is something I relate to, being an introvert and someone who found networking super-uncomfortable and awkward in the past. Monday Girl commissioned a study recently and found that 67 per cent of working professional women agree that traditional networking events are usually awkward and uncomfortable.
They have this negative perspective where it feels transactional and not natural. Here are some tips that have worked for me: 1. Take the pressure off yourself.
We often worry that we need to impress people at these events and say the perfect thing, like, ‘I have to say the perfect elevator pitch,’ but I think this is the wrong approach. Instead, walk into every interaction or room with a mindset that says, ‘I’m going to get to know people. I’m going to focus on genuine curiosity.
I’m going to ask thoughtful questions and actively listen.’ The conversations start rolling from there. It’s about how you can make people feel seen, heard and valued, it’s not about how loud or outgoing you are.
And I think the small things still go a long way: eye contact, shaking hands, body language, smiles. 2. Do your research ahead of time.
Before walking into an event, we always recommend that members look at the guest list beforehand so they have an idea of who will be there. Do a little bit of research, find out what other people are working on. Or even reach out before the event to say, ‘I noticed you’re also going to the event.
I’ll be there too and I would love to say hello.’ It’s easier to start conversations that way. 3.
Follow up. Just because you meet someone at an event doesn’t mean that person will suddenly refer you to a job. That’s the seed planted, but the important part is the follow-up and multiple touch points with this person.
I think a lot of people make the mistake of not sending a follow-up until a week later. But if you can send that follow-up within a couple of hours and mention a key take-away from your conversation while that interaction is still fresh in their minds, that makes a huge difference. Go to another event and talk to them again, start interacting with their content on LinkedIn.
Put that effort in and that’s how relationships will blossom and grow. That’s how they will turn into people who will advocate for you and open doors for you. 4.
Practise. I think the first few times you go to a networking event are always going to be nerve-wracking, but if you keep showing up, that helps. Especially for introverted people, it’s a good idea to take some time to prepare before an event.
I actually do affirmations in the mirror before I go to any event or do public speaking. It could be about listening to music. Do whatever you need to get yourself in the zone, so you feel like the most energized version of yourself.
Repeat after me: ‘I am not my job.’ The danger of tying your identity to your work “Clinging to our work like a barnacle to a rock, we believe our jobs are the only reason we have meaning in life – until we get laid off or quit from exhaustion. Then suddenly, the rock is ripped out from under us, and we are left, stunned and breathless, wondering who we even are any more,” says Kristy Shen, co-author with Bryce Leung of the bestselling book Quit Like a Millionaire .
“That’s why when people retire early, they can feel lost and regretful about quitting a stressful job, even though that job destroyed their health and never made them happy in the first place.” Actions you can do now to manage your career well-being in this era of uncertainty “Since U.S.
President Donald Trump took office for a second time in January, there’s been an amplified barrage of threat and disruptive change afoot,” says Eileen Chadnick of Big Cheese Coaching. “In this backdrop, I’m hearing from clients who are nervous about their career well-being. What can they do to stay safe? What if they lose their job? The chorus of concerns gets louder as the weeks go by.
Don’t panic. But do prepare. Rather than waiting, there are things you can start to do right now.
” How better scheduling can help prevent burnout “When you are high performing, you need to make sure to take your recovery just as seriously as the way that you do business,” says Cherry Rose Tan, entrepreneur-in-residence at Schulich School of Business. “There are two main components to recovery mode: the physical health component and the mental health component. For the physical side: Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating well? On the mental health side, it’s taking time where you are not checking e-mails and not doing work.
I joke with my founders: If your idea of recovery is picking up a [venture capital] book, you are still in work mode.”.
