Photo from 2nitelineWith Happy Hours and industry events every other weeknight, we’re constantly faced with the opportunity to showcase our best and/or worse sides. Seeing as these events usually occur at the end of a long workday, it’s easy to get tired and give up on continuing the niceties we try to maintain from 9-5. Here are three key tips to consider the next time you find yourself surrounded by like-minded professionals working the room:
- Business Cards: Always bring your own and ask for others at appropriate times. Make sure to review the information and make a note about where you met the person/who introduced you, etc. on the back of their card. Have a professional place to store them while out and about (not just stuffing them into your purse) and consider investing in a business card scanner once you are back in the office to keep track of all those newly formed business contacts.
- Eating & Drinking: Let’s face it, you’re pretty hungry come 6pm. Make sure that the purpose of your being at any networking event isn’t to eat- it’s to meet. You may politely excuse yourself to grab a bite when you notice others are doing the same. As a general rule of thumb, one cocktail or none is best. Yes, it’s free, but that one free drink may cost you a lot more in the end if you aren’t cautious.
- Be Authentic: In an industry filled with exciting, well-connected people, it can often be easy to be intimidated which can cause you to actually come across as false or desperate. Remember to hold your own, not to brown-nose, and to sincerely ask for connections when you have earned a person’s trust. There is a difference between being personable and being overbearing. Always be yourself.
Making Etiquette Easy,
Susan K. Medina
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