Attend an event and talk to the panel moderator

[SakibIslam&8]

When entrepreneur Tim Ferris wasn't very well-known, he'd attend high-profile events and attend moderated panels. When the panel was over, instead of lining up to chat with the panelists, Ferris would approach the moderator.

Although they are often ignored by attendees, moderators know everyone worth talking to.

Be honest and humble, you can mention that it is your uganda phone number material first time attending this event and that you don't know anyone. Tell them what you are interested in and ask them who they think you should meet.

Once you've been directed to the right person, you can approach them and mention that the moderator recommended you talk to them. This way, you'll already have someone's social approval.

Follow this same approach with each new person you meet at the event. Continue to ask questions and take advantage of the opportunity to learn. People will start to take an interest in you and your network will begin to grow.



What we like: Ferris' approach to networking is very creative and efficient. On the other hand, mentioning the moderator gives you more credibility.


6. Discover the potential of weak ties

Rob Kim , a career strategist at the University of British Columbia, recommends leveraging existing channels. In addition to creating strong connections, he suggests investing time in creating soft connections. These are professionals with whom you have some overlap in interests, but with whom you have only spoken once or twice.

Rob bases his recommendation not only on his own experience, but also on a 5-year study of over 20 million professionals .
The results show that weak ties have a huge impact on job mobility and career advancement. Especially in digital industries, where professionals frequent networking events.

What we like: you can use this approach simultaneously with building strong ties to expand your professional reach. The only condition for it to work? Make sure your “loose connections” are not disconnected from your field and your goals.


7. Leave conversations gracefully

You know the old saying, “It’s not how you start that matters, it’s how you end it”? When it comes to networking, both are equally important. You need to leave a conversation tactfully to ensure you leave a good, lasting impression.

Hannah Fleishman, director of employer branding and internal communications at HubSpot, stresses that networking isn't like speed dating . It's not about meeting as many people as possible, but about making promising connections.

Some conversations end quickly, so you should respectfully walk away. Fleishman has some great ideas on how to approach this issue.

If there is a sudden silence, you can end with, “Please keep me posted on how the project is going, I’d love to hear about progress.” Or, you can ask the person you’re talking to if they’ve seen anyone from a specific company, since you’ve planned to talk to them. This will allow you to exit the conversation without offending anyone.

What we like: By preparing a few tactful closing lines, you'll show your interlocutor that building your professional network is important. Not to mention, the way you end your interactions says a lot about your professionalism.



Take your networking skills to a new level

Building and strengthening your professional contacts is important throughout your career. When networking, look for ambitious and helpful people. But remember that it's a two-way street. You should also add value to the lives of others.

If you build new connections carefully and show respect, your efforts will pay off. Good luck!