What are the most common networking mistakes and how can you avoid them?

Common mistakes include being too self-centered, neglecting follow-ups, and not being prepared. Avoid them by focusing on mutual benefits, following up promptly, and researching connections and events to engage in meaningful conversations. Build genuine relationships for lasting connections.

Networking is an amazing way to get in touch with more people outside formal work settings BUT it can be very challenging attimes. Some of the most common mistakes that often happens are: ??Starting a conversation like a sales pitch ??Talking too much ??Participating in a conversation without listening properly. ??Taking too much time to open up ??Waste of time when you mix with wrong group of people. ??Getting drunk

As an introvert, I’ve also found it helpful to have a clear goal for how many people I’d like to meet or interact with at the event. This could be as simple as one new connection. Setting this goal also allows me to feel comfortable leaving an event early, especially if I’m feeling, “peopled out.”

A mistake I commonly see is that people make vague requests such as "let me know if you hear of a job opening." Be specific! Ask them for an introduction to someone in their network. Share your elevator pitch and ask for feedback. Tell them about your marketing plan and ask for recommendations. People genuinely want to help but often need prompts to do so in a meaningful fashion!

Failing to plan and set goals: Networking without a clear purpose or strategy can waste time and effort. Set specific goals and identify the type of connections you want to make before attending any networking events. Failing to follow up with people you meet is a common mistake. Consider sending a personalized follow-up message or emails to develop the relationship further and keep the connection alive.

Early in my career, I worried a lot of what I'll say, how I can make it relevant and interesting. It was very inwardly focused. What I know now, that I didn't know then, is that all my insecurities and concerns went away, when I focused 100% of my energy on the other person. What are they curious or concerned about? I flipped the script and made my focus on learning more about them. What I learned is that my goal isn't to be the most interesting person. My goal is to be the most interested person. Give it a try!

Show people that want to spend time with you, that you want to spend time with them by doing just a little bit of pre-research. Glancing at someone's profile on LinkedIn, googling their name or the company they work at can win major brownie and connectivity points.

As an Agency Recruiter, I get messaged a lot for job search help. Sometimes the people reaching out to me make sense... sometimes, they don't. If you're trying to connect with a Recruiter, please make sure you research some of the basic details... What geography do they cover? What industry are they in? Do they recruit for your field? Reaching out to a recruiter that doesn't meet any of this criteria will result in a noreply.

Failing to conduct adequate research is a prevalent networking mistake. Approaching networking without proper research can lead to uncomfortable situations, inappropriate inquiries, and irrelevant discussions. To mitigate this error, always invest time in researching the individuals and organizations you aim to connect with. Utilize online platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Google to delve into their backgrounds, achievements, challenges, and interests. This research equips you with valuable insights, allowing you to personalize your approach, demonstrate genuine interest and respect, and establish a foundation of rapport and trust in your networking interactions.

Failing to do your research is a common networking mistake to steer clear of. Networking without proper research can lead to embarrassing situations and irrelevant conversations. Always do your homework on the people and organizations you want to connect with. Use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Google to learn about their backgrounds, interests, needs, and goals. Researching beforehand helps you tailor your approach, demonstrate your interest, and build rapport and trust.

For a meaningful conversation in a networking event it is always better to think & listen properly. Most of the times in order to meet more people, some do not even listen properly; they are in the process of madly collecting visiting cards & connecting on social media.. this is a NO -No

Engage in meaningful conversations by actively listening to others rather than just talking about yourself. Show genuine interest in their experiences and opinions to develop a stronger connection.

When in conversation the focus needs to be the person. Close your browsers, put your phone and notifications on silent, and ask a follow-up question to what they share with you. When you are engaged they will be too.

Deep listening definitely enables better questions (whether open or closed-ended!), and the best questions are CONNECTED to what you’re hearing. The combination of deep listening and thoughtful questions help you build meaningful connection with people.

Failing to listen actively is another frequent networking error. Networking without attentive listening can lead to ineffective communication, missed information, and overlooked opportunities. To prevent this, practice active listening by focusing on the other person's words, tone, and body language. Employ techniques such as paraphrasing, asking open-ended questions, providing feedback, and displaying empathy to demonstrate your genuine attention and comprehension. Active listening enhances your capacity to gather insights, uncover commonalities, and foster stronger and more meaningful connections in your networking endeavors.

A relationship doesn't form until the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th interaction or engagement. Keep a short list of your "power network" people that you want in to create relationships with and touch-base with them at least once or twice a month.

One thing that helps me with remembering to follow-up is taking notes on my phone. After networking, I always spend a few minutes cleaning up notes and extracting action items while they’re still fresh so I have clear next steps.

Neglecting to follow up is a widespread networking mistake that can lead to missed opportunities. Networking without proper follow-up can result in lost contacts, forgotten discussions, and futile efforts. To avoid this error, consistently follow up with individuals you've networked with within 24-48 hours of your interaction. You can utilize email, phone calls, or social media to express gratitude, share valuable resources, request further discussions, or offer assistance. Effective follow-up strengthens your professional connections, reinforces your positive impression, and allows you to continually add value to your network.

One of my favourite steps when it comes to networking is the follow up. You meet someone, have a great conversation, then go your separate ways. Following up allows you to reference a topic you discussed, reemphasize something you may have brought up, and an opportunity to share something they may appreciate. Did they say they liked thinking about the Roman Empire? Send them a cool YouTube video about it. It shows you were engaged, builds trust, and heck, maybe YOU will learn about the Roman Empire too.

Networking in general is alot about giving back and less about gaining. You have to be prepared with what will they get out of this if I reach out to network question. For this- you have to first understand what you have all to offer and how can you use that to network. This is one of the biggest mistakes I have seen people make. Only seeking something while networking & not open to giving back.

Give, give, give, take (ask). In a perfect world, I would try to give more times than I ask. Sometimes that isn't possible. But if you're networking with the intent to sell or ask for something, giving first helps. This is very situational based, but something to keep in mind.

This is so true. This is what I am learning everyday. Networking is about giving, giving your time, your recommendation, offering advice, offering help, offering referral, offering interest in the other person's journey. Someone very wise told me that when you are networking you don't always have to worry about what you are giving and for it to be quantitative or substantial, it could be as small as a compliment or a shout out.

An easy way to tackle this is simply asking the other person, “What do you need help with?” Or “How can I help you?” It’s great if something comes up organically in the conversation, but in case it doesn’t, having these questions in your back pocket is effective.

I have seen this "not giving back" attitude a lot unfortunately. Do not be the person who shows up only when in need of a new job, and then disappears. Sometimes giving back can be as simple as staying in touch and occasionally checking in on the person that supported you.

Canned scripts and unnatural behavior during these events can hurt you a lot. People need to connect with your authentic self. Sugar coating conversations doesn't help much. Caring about people you are talking to, showing respect, listening with intent are some of the ways to connect well. Be the person you would like to connect with. It is that simple!

One of the most common mistakes is the assumption that others must do something for you at all costs, especially when facing difficulties. Networking is not something you improvise in times of need; instead, it is built on authentic relationships and exchanges of value throughout life. Only by cultivating relationships in everyday life will it be pleasant to support each other in times of need. However, I implore you: let's not make difficulty our only moment of sharing!

One of the most important pillars of being authentic in this context, is being clear and upfront about your intent. When done well this builds trust and raises your chances of engaging and building a fruitful relationship, and when not done well can erode trust.

Authenticity is paramount in networking. Being genuine in your interactions fosters trust and credibility, while pretending or exaggerating can lead to distrust. Always be yourself, express your values, and share your stories honestly. Avoid the temptation to present a false persona. Authenticity attracts like-minded individuals, builds credibility, and cultivates lasting, meaningful relationships within your professional network.

Being honest and authentic is about our personal values and should be at the forefront whether we are networking or simply interacting with other human beings. The moment that we lie or exaggerate, we are telling ourselves that we are not good enough as we are. And surely that is not the way to establish solid life or work connections.

The number one networking mistake is not initiating conversations. Of course it’s easier to be approached than to approach others, but if you are out there networking for a reason, the worst thing you can do is stand around waiting. Make sure you have an ice breaker ready and a quick elevator pitch before attending any networking event. Something as simple as “Hi, my name is [name] and I’m [role at company that’s doing X]. Great to meet you! Tell me, what do you do?” is an easy, generic way to get the conversation started!

Decide if this is a professional or personal connection. Build the relationship before you ask for something. Pitching or asking someone for help is a turn-off if you just met.

It's essential to approach networking with a proactive mindset, genuine interest, and a focus on building valuable relationships rather than solely seeking personal gain.