How do you tailor your networking style to different situations?

1 Identify your goal

Before you attend any networking event or reach out to any contact, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Are you looking for a job opportunity, a mentor, a referral, or a collaboration? Depending on your goal, you will need to prepare differently, research your target audience, and craft your message accordingly. For example, if you are looking for a job, you might want to have your resume ready, highlight your relevant skills and achievements, and ask for specific feedback or advice. If you are looking for a mentor, you might want to show your interest and curiosity, ask open-ended questions, and offer value in return.

2 Choose your medium

The way you communicate with your network can vary depending on the medium you use. Whether it is face-to-face, online, phone, or email, you need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each channel and how to make the best impression. For example, face-to-face networking allows you to use body language, eye contact, and gestures to convey your personality and enthusiasm, but it also requires you to be confident, concise, and respectful of the other person's time and space. Online networking gives you more flexibility and convenience, but it also requires you to be professional, responsive, and attentive to the tone and etiquette of the platform. Phone and email networking are useful for following up and maintaining contact, but they also require you to be clear, polite, and timely.

3 Adjust your style

Your networking style is the way you present yourself, interact with others, and build rapport. It can depend on your personality, preferences, and goals, but it can also be influenced by the situation, the culture, and the expectations of your network. For example, if you are networking in a formal setting, such as a conference or a business meeting, you might want to be more formal, respectful, and prepared. If you are networking in an informal setting, such as a social event or a coffee chat, you might want to be more casual, friendly, and relaxed. If you are networking in a different culture, you might want to be aware of the norms, values, and customs of that culture and adapt your style accordingly.

4 Listen and learn

One of the most important aspects of networking is listening. Listening shows that you are interested, attentive, and respectful of the other person. It also helps you learn more about them, their needs, their challenges, and their opportunities. By listening, you can tailor your networking style to suit their preferences, goals, and personality. For example, if you notice that they are introverted, you might want to give them more space and time to express themselves. If you notice that they are extroverted, you might want to engage them in more conversation and humor. If you notice that they are passionate about a topic, you might want to ask them more questions and show your enthusiasm.

5 Follow up and follow through

Networking is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. To tailor your networking style to different situations, you need to follow up and follow through with your contacts. Following up means that you send a thank-you note, a reminder, or a feedback after your interaction. Following through means that you deliver on your promises, provide value, or keep in touch. By following up and following through, you show that you are reliable, trustworthy, and interested in maintaining the relationship. You also create opportunities for further communication, collaboration, or referrals.

6 Evaluate and improve

The last tip on how to tailor your networking style to different situations is to evaluate and improve. Networking is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice and feedback. By evaluating your networking performance, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, your successes and failures, and your areas of improvement. By improving your networking skills, you can increase your confidence, effectiveness, and satisfaction. You can evaluate and improve your networking style by asking for feedback from your contacts, mentors, or peers. You can also reflect on your own experiences, goals, and outcomes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?