Networking
18
HR
West
The Buffet
Cannot Hire You:
SIX
INVALUABLE NETWORK ING T I PS
By Shari Harley, Conference Emcee and Breakout Speaker
Y
ou’re coming to the HR West Conference. You want to learn from the
speakers, of course, but you are also coming to network and expand
your professional circles.
There are several mistakes that most professionals make while attending
conferences, training sessions, and other networking events. Avoid these
common practices and you’ll get great value from the conference that will more
than justify your time away from the office and far exceed the price of attendance.
Mistake Number One: Skipping meals and other social events.
Many busy professionals have a hard time leaving work to attend conferences and
training sessions. We don’t think we have time and may be worried about how our
absence will appear, so we spend conference “down time” catching up on email.
Don’t think of time in the exhibit hall, meals, cocktail hours, and other social
events as down time. Think of those events as just as important as keynote and
breakout sessions. You never know who at the conference has a vendor you’ve
been looking for or a solution to one of your challenges.
Mistake Number Two:
Talking with the people you already know during meals and social events.
It’s natural and comfortable to sit and talk with the people you know. The problem
is, you already have access to those people. You can already call them to ask
questions and problem solve. You’re attending the conference to expand your
network. The more people you talk to, the bigger your pool of potential future job
leads and problem solving peers.
Most people are uncomfortable talking to people they don’t know. When you
introduce yourself to new people, they let out a sigh of relief. They are grateful
that you took the risk of introducing yourself. When you feel nervous in groups of
mostly strangers, remember that everyone is nervous.
Mistake Number Three: Introducing yourself by telling people what you do.
“Hi, I’m Lauren Adler. I’m a Compensation Specialist” is a show stopper, not a
conversation starter. The other person replies, “I’m Mary Guest. I’m a Generalist.”
Then the two of you look at each other and wonder how to get out of the
conversation. Rather than introducing yourself with your title, ask a question.
Here are a few questions you can ask when meeting fellow conference attendees:
• What’s one challenge you’re facing in your organization?
• What’s a resource you need, that I might be able to refer?
These questions are much better conversation starters than “Hi, I’m a Generalist.
What do you do?” Ask one question, listen to the answer and then ask the
next natural question. Provocative questions are a great way to build new,
meaningful relationships.
Mistake Number Four: Not ending conversations soon enough.
We’ve all gotten trapped in a conversation and wondered, “How do I graciously
get out of here?” When a conversation is over, end it by saying, “It’s been great
talking with you. I’m going to meet some other people.” Just be honest. You’re
doing both of you a favor by freeing each other up to meet someone new.
Mistake Number Five: Letting groups of people intimidate you.
Break into groups by walking up to a group of people talking and simply ask,
“May I join you?” They will say yes. And when you’re ready to leave the group,
who probably knew each other before the conference, simply say, “It was great
meeting all of you. Have a wonderful conference.”
Mistake Number Six: Hanging out by the buffet, in the bathroom, or on your phone.
> The buffet cannot hire you.
It’s very tempting to catch up on email or Facebook updates while waiting for
sessions to begin and meals to be served. Hiding out in our phones will not get us
our next job nor expand our network. It may feel safer and easier to be distracted
by your phone during a networking event or to visit the bathroom more than you
really need to. Risk a little. Remember that everyone is just as nervous as you are.
Approach someone you don’t know, and ask a question.
Much of the reason we attend conferences is to tap into the collective years of
experience of other conference attendees. Get the maximum value from the HR
West Conference by attending all social events and meals, talking with exhibitors
and fellow attendees who you don’t already know, and putting away your phone.
You never know who has the solution to your greatest challenge or from where
your next job offer will come.
HR
Shari Harley, our 2014 conference emcee, runs Candid Culture,
a training firm that is bringing candor back to the workplace, making it easier to tell the truth at work. Shari is the author of the book
“How to Say Anything to Anyone” and speaks at conferences and does training throughout the U.S. Learn more about Shari and Candid Culture’s programs a
