Speed Networking Tips

The Speed Networking Event is coming up tomorrow evening.
If you are planning to attend, and this is your first speed networking event, the following are a few tips for a successful event:

Be Prepared

During a speed networking session it is very important to be well prepared, efficient and goal oriented. There is very little time for small talk in contrast to other networking sessions. Prepare yourself by knowing your own career goals. These can be incorporated into your elevator pitch.

Prepare your elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a 30 second professional description of yourself, what you are currently doing, what you’ve done, and what you hope to do in the future. Prepare a pitch before the event and think through the most important things you would like to communicate. Refine your message so that it sounds natural. This pitch is not always something you say all at once. They are points you want to highlight throughout the conversation.

A good pitch can be constructed with the following parts:

1.Your name, year in school and program of study.
2.What activities/jobs you have done/currently doing to build your professional skills.
3.End it by including something about your career goals.

Be honest and show respect

Introduce yourself and don't be in too much of a hurry to give your pitch. Allow the other person to begin the conversation if they wish. Letting the other person talk first shows your willingness to listen to the other person.

Be aware of your personal brand

Before and during the event, reflect over how you can work with your personal brand. Are you dressed accordingly, are you communicating your core values and your basic principles? Be aware of your posture, your body language and note the way your counterpart are responding to the way you are delivering your message.

Organize and exchange your business cards effectively

First, make sure you bring business cards. After signing up for the speed networking event, you get 30 free business cards from our office.
Secondly, have them in a business card holder in a convenient location to give to the people you meet.

Take notes

Try to take notes about everyone you meet. You can always write a note on the back of their business card. Anything that will help you remember your conversation and why they may be a good connection. It can be useful to bring a pad of paper and pen.

Follow up

One of the most important aspects of networking is to follow up with the contacts you made during the event. Place a phone call, connect on LinkedIn, or send an e-mail so that the person gets a more lasting impression of you and what you do. This shows professionalism as well as respect for the time the other person took to meet you.

*There are still some openings available for students to sign up if you have not already.

For more information on the event and to register visit: http://www.marquette.edu/csc/events/speednetworking2011.shtml

Date: Thursday, March 31, 2011
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Location: AMU Ballrooms A&B
Attire: Business Casual or better