Graduates: Don’t wait till you need a job to start networking!
By Debra Fine
Start now and don’t stop.
Do you dread networking events, job fairs and other job search related social events? Does attending another open house make you want to run inside your own and lock the door? For soon to be graduates these occasions represent opportunities to develop business relationships and broaden networks. Make the most of job fairs, alumni contacts and events, informational interviews, conventions, and meetings.
Here are a few techniques students can use to improve their small talk skills:
- Be the first to say “hello!” and introduce yourself. Act as if you’re the host, and introduce new arrivals to your conversational partner or partners.
- Get somebody to talk about why they’re attending the event or their history with their career, and you’re on your way to engaging them in conversation.
- Be aware of body language. Come across as relaxed and at ease. Smile and appear approachable.
- Listen carefully for information that can keep the conversation going.
- Play the conversation “game.” When someone asks, “how’s school?” or “what’s going on?” answer with more than “pretty good!” or “not much.” Tell more about yourself so that others can learn more about you.
- Give “verbal cues” to keep the conversation going and make your conversational partner feel listened to. “I see what you mean” and “give me an example of what you mean by that” encourage others to keep talking and confirm that you are “actively” listening.
- Be careful with acquaintances. You wouldn't want to open a conversation with, “How’s your job at (fill in the blank)?” What if that person just got fired or laid off? Be careful when you’re asking about an acquaintance’s spouse or special friend; you could regret it.
- Don’t act like you’re an F.B.I. agent. Questions like: “where are you from?” “did you go to graduate school?” and “do you have children?” lead to dead end conversations.
- Be prepared with exit lines. You do need to move around and meet others. Make an effort to never leave a conversation without asking: “Who do you know that might be in a position to help me attain my goals?”
Every encounter involves risk. As long as you keep looking for new people to meet, and you show an interest in other people, you can develop business friendships and enjoy lively conversations.
Turn every conversation into an opportunity for success!
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Covers everything from icebreakers to exit lines. Building business, getting dates, making friends or landing jobs this book is guaranteed to improve conversational skills, mingling ability, and networking techniques.
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Debra's January 2008 follow up book to her bestseller. The Fine Art of Big Talk: How to Win Clients, Deliver Great Presentations, and Solve Conflicts at Work.
Feel more at ease at parties, banquets, receptions, and networking events. Use icebreakers that work every time. Engage anyone in conversation with poise and confidence.
NSA 15 Year Member National Speaker Association
Professional Speaker, Best Selling Author, Conversation Expert, Communication Guru, Nationally Recognized Spokesperson
Conversation Skills • Small Talk Tips • Mingling Skills • Business Networking Skills and Networking Tips
Debra Fine presents programs on conversation skills, business networking skills, and mingling skills for corporations, organizations and associations both across the country and internationally. Debra is a Denver, Colorado motivational speaker and trainer. Search no further for a Denver speaker or Rocky Mountain Keynote Speaker. Her keynote speeches and interactive workshops cover conversation skills, rapport building skills and networking skills and techniques and small talk tips that include icebreakers and conversation starters, listening skills, exit lines, introductions and even remembering names.
Debra Fine is a former enineer who developed her keynote presentation and workshop The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep it Going, Build Rapport and Leave a Positive Impression to teach conversation skills, business networking techniques and mingling tips for use at networking events, hospitality suites, trade shows and exhibit halls, membership meetings, conventions and conferences, and with clients, customers and patients during one on one interactions as well as banquets and other business social functions.
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