Strong Networking Skills Build Professional Relationships

Expanding your network is one way to take ownership of who is in your circle and where your career is headed. Meeting new professional contacts allows you to sharpen your conversational skills and may even bring about new ideas in your research. Bianca Miller Cole for Forbes explains, “For many individuals that have succeeded in their career, the causes have largely been attributed to the strong networking channels they have created over time.” If you find yourself dreading the office get-together or monthly chamber mixer, here are a few tips on improving your networking skills that will assist in eliminating the awkward, uncomfortable moments that go hand and hand with large and small events.

Act Genuinely Interested

There is a difference between looking interested and appearing to be a snoop. The best conversationalists know how to navigate the situation in a way that enhances the interest of the other person by asking thoughtful questions. It’s called “open-ended,” which means avoiding ‘yes’ and ‘no’ answers. Use this technique to your advantage and listen thoughtfully to continue to engage with ease.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

If you come to an event feeling insecure because you believe others to be better conversationalists with more skills, more connections, or who are more successful in their business, you have already admitted defeat before you walk through the door.

When you arrive, walk through the door, look to the right and left, give yourself time to compose yourself, stand tall, confidently scan the room, and find someone you want to meet. Don’t walk up to the person you know best and start a conversation. Challenge yourself to approach someone new, who also looks as if they need a new connection.

Make a Professional Introduction

Be the first to extend your hand. Offering a handshake, introduce yourself using your first and last name. Doing this shows confidence and puts the other person immediately at ease. Say something like, “Hello my name is Sarah Jones. I’m with Advanced Widget Solutions, and I wanted to introduce myself.” Allow the brief, uncomfortable pause, so that the person you are greeting will reciprocate the introduction.

Nametags are Your Friend

When possible, wear a nametag and use it to your advantage. Place it on your right shoulder so it will follow the line of sight of your handshake. When you forget someone’s name, and you know you will, you can quickly glance at the nametag to refresh your memory. When it is placed in the wrong area, it’s more uncomfortable to search for the name reminder.

Avoid Exaggerated Gestures

When making a true attempt to be “real,” people often turn to gestures that are not authentic. Overly emphasizing facial features to show “enthusiasm,” or offering an unusually aggressive handshake to show confidence, can easily backfire and leave the other person wondering how you have gotten along in business for so long without a major blunder. Be yourself—only better—by incorporating some genuine mannerisms such as a warm smile, a firm but not bone-crunching handshake, and positive eye contact that doesn’t feel like you are piercing them with your eyes.

Learn From the Process

It takes repetition to feel confident, stepping out of your comfort zone. Each time you attend an event, you gain experience and important tools that will allow you to hone your communication skills. The more you attend professional networking events, the more familiar you will become with faces and names. Continued practice breeds confidence, and you will soon be considered as someone who is both familiar and trusted.

For more information about working with Diane, America’s “Go to” social and professional (manners) skills authority, please visit The Protocol School of Texas. 

You may also like 6 Soft Skills You Need to Land Your Next Job. See what Diane is up to by following her on Instagram and Facebook. Find etiquette inspiration on her Pinterest account and keep up with her latest tweets. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, refer to her posts on Inc. and HuffPost.