Networking & Etiquette

1. Networking & Etiquette

2. Agenda • Networking – what is it? • How to Network – good etiquette • Corporate dress – business casual? • Business dining basics • Know your BMW • Resources

3. What isn’t Networking? • It’s not superficial connections and lunching. • It’s not about handing out business cards. • It’s not about asking for a job. • It’s not about short term payback. • It’s not about hanging with your friends and calling it networking.

4. What is Networking? • It’s cultivating relationships with others in a meaningful way. • It’s building “bank” of contacts that can provide information and support when you need it, and in return you can help them when they need it. • It’s about reaping long term professionally rewarding relationships. • It’s about staying in touch with the pulse of the business world through your network. • “I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy”

5. Why Network? • 70-80% of jobs are filled via networking – the silent job market. • Search Firms 10-15% • Ads in Print or Internet 10-15% • A “warm” call is much easier to make than a “cold” call. • Stay abreast of what’s happening in the business world.

6. Do you have a Network? • You already have a network – the trick is to build that network in the professional grid • Fill in your network grid, and see where you need to expand.

7. Your Personal Network Chart Career Organizational Professional Personal

8. How to Network • The 4 “E’s” • Establish…………….. eye contact • Extend………………. your hand • Engage………………. in conversation • Exchange……………. business cards (if appropriate)

9. How to Network • Do’s • Network broadly • Follow up! If you make a promise to someone, live up to it. • Offer to assist. If you help me, I’ll help you. • View every social situation as a networking opportunity. • Ask questions – people like to talk about themselves. • Maintain contact, even if only sparsely.

10. How to Network • Don’ts • Equate endless lunches with networking • Get hung up with one conversation – move around • Stay in your comfort zone and only talk to people just like you • Make a promise you can’t or won’t keep. • Be a wallflower – show initiative and make the first move

11. First Impressions • “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.” • Dress, voice and body language account for 90% of first impressions: be confident • Posture and demeanour count for a lot. Stand up and smile! • God gave us two ears and 1 mouth for a reason – Listen twice as much as you speak.

12. Making Introductions • Use first and last names • Introduce junior person to senior person. Senior = position or age, not gender. • Forget someone’s name? Don’t fake it, admit it. • Focus when being introduced. Either use a rhyming game to remember their name, or use it three times in conversation. However, don’t overdo it, they are not your buddy.

13. Risk-Free Conversations • Safe Topics: • Public information – read the newspapers • Travel • Business • Avoid: • Politics • Religion • personal questions, disclosures, money, health

14. Corporate Dress • Fit the Corporate culture – investigate • Dressing conservatively is risk free – gives you time to learn the corporate culture. • Dressing trendy is risky – what does it say about your professionalism and perceived image of the company? • Your personal image is a reflection of the company’s image. • Are you a winner? Look like a winner!

15. Business Casual • “If you don’t have to change when you get home from work, you are too casual.” Dan Vass, Grant Thornton • Don’t • Out-dress the boss • Wear running shoes, leggings, anything torn, shoes without socks, athletic wear, see-through fabrics, tank tops, t-shirts with messages, distressed clothing • Wear too much perfume, aftershave, or show too much skin • Low-cut, crop tops, tank tops, short shorts, or very short skirts

16. Business Dining Basics • Sit when you’re invited to sit. If it is not assigned seating, choose a table of people you don’t know and ask if a seat is taken. • Napkin goes on your lap, not tucked into your shirt. If you get up, leave it on your chair. • Several rows of cutlery, start on the outside and work inward. • Your bread plate is on your left, main dinner plate in the middle, wine glasses on your right. (BMW) • If you’re in doubt, always follow a leader.

17. A Final Note • Practice – attend Corporate Info sessions and stick around after to network • Join student clubs or other associations • Get involved in a mentorship program • Check out on-line resources such as www.etiquetteexpert.com

18. Are You Dressed for Success?