| Heading off to another conference and
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| | your first few rounds of networking, and
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| dreading the schmoozing scene? It might
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| | while you may not impress everyone you
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| help to know that networking is a
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| | meet, you can avoid leaving bad
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| critical element of a successful job
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| | impressions altogether by doing your best
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| search. In fact, there is a lot of truth
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| | to make sure people remember your name.
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| to the saying, "It's all in who you
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| | Rehearse your "elevator pitch" about what
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| know." In this articles we'll highlight
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| | you do. This can help if you're nervous
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| the key things you need to know about
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| | or uncomfortable promoting yourself.
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| networking and how to use this skill to
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| | What are the three most important parts
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| your advantage.
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| | of your career, yourself as a person?
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| Many jobs, particularly high-level and
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| | Having these things at your ready can go
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| executive, fill through word of mouth,
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| | a long way in promoting yourself
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| rather than through traditional channels.
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| | effectively.
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| A solid grasp of networking basics keeps
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| | Try sticking with these basics:
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| you in the loop and helps avoid the urge
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| | Relax. People can tell if you are nervous
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| to skip networking opportunities.
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| | or anxious, but you don't need to be -
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| Network here, there, and everywhere
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| | most of them are doing the same thing as
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| Conferences and seminars are great places
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| | you. Don't get hung up on titles. For the
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| to meet influential people, but making
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| | most part, everyone is approachable, and
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| contacts doesn't necessarily have to take
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| | if they aren't, move on.
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| place in hotel conference rooms.
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| | Be yourself. You know how to talk to
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| Day-to-day functions and events in your
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| | people. Don't over think it. Talk about
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| current job, as well as during free time,
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| | whatever makes sense. Wander the room,
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| offer many opportunities to meet
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| | hit the buffet, do what seems natural.
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| important people. An invitation you
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| | Inevitably, a situation will arise where
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| received to your neighbor's holiday party
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| | you can break the ice and start a
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| could be the perfect chance to meet that
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| | conversation. There is always something
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| CEO or HR manager living around the
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| | to talk about, even the weather!
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| block. Don't hesitate to ask others what
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| | Make eye contact and smile. It makes you
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| they do for a living and reciprocate. If
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| | appear sincere and interested. If you
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| you'd don't let others know about your
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| | come across as distracted, or let your
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| career, you're not making progress.
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| | attention wander, it will show and it is
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| In this age of technology, your laptop is
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| | downhill from there.
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| an invaluable friend when it comes to job
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| | Be polite. Put your best manners on
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| searching. With a little Internet
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| | display. Be a good listener and don't
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| surfing, you will find an abundance of
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| | interrupt. Avoid making rude or biased
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| message boards and chat rooms that are
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| | comments, and end conversations
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| industry-specific and provide not only
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| | gracefully. If you've done the job right,
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| the advice of other professionals, but
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| | you might even score a business card
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| also contacts that could prove useful
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| | before you go.
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| down the road. Over time, networking
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| | Follow up. If you connected with someone
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| helps you build a list of valuable
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| | and discussed the possibility of working
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| contacts. Put yourself out there and see
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| | together, follow up with him or her a few
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| the results.
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| | days later. Schedule lunch or arrange a
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| Networking is not a bad word
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| | formal meeting to discuss future
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| Some people dread the idea of networking
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| | endeavors.
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| because they equate it with "schmoozing"
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| | If you leave a function empty-handed,
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| or "sucking up," but it is simply a
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| | don't be discouraged. You win some, you
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| process of getting to know people. If you
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| | lose some. There will be other
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| are friendly and good at making small
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| | opportunities to meet people and hone
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| talk in social and work-related settings,
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| | your networking skills. The key is to
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| then your list of "Who's Who" will grow
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| | keep going. Each time you place yourself
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| quickly! Don't stress yourself by the
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| | in a situation and are ready to discuss
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| idea of having to be "on" and making a
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| | your career, your future, or your skills,
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| good impression.
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| | you are opening up numerous possibilities
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| Basic social skills will get you through
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| | for your future.
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