Christmas parties and other end-of-the-year social events represent excellent opportunities for acquiring and improving personal contacts. It would be a shame not to use them. Let's focus on how we can brush up our professional networking skills. Buzjournals.com recently pointed out several interesting details you should be aware of when attending this year's pre-Christmas meetings within your field.
1. Arrive on time
The very beginning of the event, when people are full of energy and the hall is not crowded, is the best opportunity for you to hold discussions and meet new people. You should therefore excuse yourself to your friends and arrange to talk with them later: first concentrate on the people you do not know yet but want to know.
2. Keep your hands free
Free hands are necessary not only for shaking hands when greeting people; they are also very important for gestures when you speak, or for making short notes on a paper or business card you can quickly hide in your pocket. Leave your coat and bag in the cloakroom. Women should prefer shoulder bags.
3. Place your name tag under your right shoulder
This is practical for a right-handed handshake as the other person will read your name more easily. If your name tag is on a lanyard, make sure you place it high enough. Women should pay special attention not to have their name tags too low on the neckline.
4. Always take your business card
We all know that we should have our business card with us but we often forget. So make sure you do not forget this time. Even if you are currently looking for a job, you can still create a personal business card on your home printer.
5. Ask questions and listen
You should be the one in the conversation who talks less and listens more. When listening, however, it is important for you to maintain eye contact and pay full attention to the speaker. Do not glance around the room or at other people.
6. Talk to more people
The goal of networking is not to meet one new person and spend all evening with him or her. Bear in mind that other people do not want to talk with only one person either. Chat briefly, exchange cards and agree on making contact later. Remember that you should always follow up. As the first step, you might, for example, invite your new contacts to connect on LinkedIn and confirm that you will meet in the new year.
7. Do not drink too much
Even though you are at a party, your goal is to gain new contacts. You surely do not want them to remember you as the one who threw up on the floor.
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