You're at a networking event for career growth. How do you ensure meaningful connections are made?

Start by focusing on quality, not quantity. Approach people with genuine curiosity—ask open-ended questions about their experiences and challenges. Share your story briefly, but let the conversation revolve around mutual interests. Listen actively and find ways to add value to their career or goals. Follow up with a personalized message within 24 hours to keep the connection alive. Building rapport through authenticity and mutual benefit ensures these connections evolve into lasting relationships that foster career growth.

Personal branding precedes impactful networking. Having a personal brand helps you develop an authentic approach to networking. It's not just about crafting a perception for others, but achieving internal alignment with who you are and where you want to go. This self-awareness boosts your confidence because a personal brand should be built on your strengths, as well as things you genuinely enjoy and are curious about.

To ensure meaningful connections at a networking event, approach conversations with genuine curiosity and active listening. Focus on understanding others' goals and challenges rather than just promoting your own achievements. Ask insightful questions and find common ground to foster authentic relationships. Follow up with personalized messages or invitations to continue the dialogue, demonstrating your commitment to building a lasting connection.

Para garantir que conex?es significativas sejam feitas em um evento de networking, antes de ir ao evento, defino claramente quais s?o meus objetivos, como conhecer pessoas de uma determinada área ou encontrar possíveis parceiros para projetos. Isso me ajuda a focar nas intera??es que mais importam.

To ensure you're fully prepared for a networking event, identify a few key industry trends or challenges relevant to your field that you can discuss. This will help you engage in meaningful conversations and showcase your knowledge. Also, practice asking insightful questions that go beyond surface-level topics. For instance, instead of asking someone what they do, you can ask, “What recent project are you most excited about?” This sparks deeper dialogue and can position you as someone genuinely curious and well-informed, fostering a stronger connection from the outset.

Meaningful connections are born from genuine interest in others. Instead of focusing solely on promoting yourself, approach conversations with curiosity. Ask thoughtful questions about others' experiences, challenges, and goals. When people feel seen and heard, they’re more likely to remember you.

Approaching someone new can be intimidating, but remember, everyone’s there for the same reason: to connect. Break the ice with a genuine compliment or shared observation about the event. Being the one to make the first move often sets the tone for a more open, engaging conversation.

Once at the event, your goal is to engage with others in a way that feels both natural and productive. Start conversations by introducing yourself and asking open-ended questions that encourage dialogue. Show genuine interest in what others have to say and look for common ground, such as shared professional interests, mutual acquaintances, or similar career aspirations. Making the first contact is about being approachable and attentive, setting the stage for a meaningful exchange that could evolve into a lasting professional relationship.

Para primeiros contatos, eu levo cart?es de visita e preparo uma breve apresenta??o pessoal que destaca meus principais pontos fortes e o que posso oferecer em termos de colabora??o e durante as conversas, foco em ouvir mais do que falar. Isso me permite entender melhor as necessidades e interesses dos outros, o que facilita a cria??o de conex?es relevantes e a oferta de ajuda genuína.

O primeiro contato é um momento de troca e afinidade. Se apresente, mantenha a escuta ativa, tenha verdadeiro interesse em conhecer o trabalho de outros profissionais e disponibilize formas de contato. E n?o esque?a de continuar o desenvolvimento desse relacionamento pós evento!

Recently, at an HR/People & Culture meet-up, there was a unique opportunity where job seekers from the audience were invited to deliver a 30-second pitch. It was a powerful moment of engagement—two participants landed jobs out of it! One of them was even hired by a company represented by one of the speakers. This success was likely due to the candidate's ability to tune into the speaker's pain points and understand how the P&C leader guided their team. By really listening and responding to what resonated, the candidate showcased exactly what they could bring to the table. Just goes to show, sometimes the key to standing out is simply being all ears.

Practice active listening by giving your full attention to the person you're conversing with. Focus on understanding their perspective, experiences, and goals rather than just waiting for your turn to speak. Ask thoughtful follow-up questions that demonstrate your engagement and genuine interest in their story. This approach not only helps you gather valuable information but also makes the other person feel heard and appreciated, laying the foundation for a more meaningful connection. Remember, the goal is to build a relationship, not just exchange business cards.

Active listening goes beyond nodding and occasional interjections—it’s about capturing key details and weaving them back into the conversation. When someone shares a career challenge or ambition, paraphrase what they’ve said to confirm understanding, and offer helpful insights or experiences where appropriate. Listening with the intent to provide value demonstrates that you're invested in their journey, not just your own. This approach makes you memorable and respected, as people are more likely to value connections where they feel genuinely heard and understood.

A finalidade da escuta ativa n?o é para "ter o que responder". O objetivo é de nos envolvermos e de fato nos interessarmos pela narrativa do outro. Se alguém te lembrou algum projeto com que possam colaborar, troque contato, fa?a anota??es rápidas no celular sobre essa pessoa, as características que te chamou aten??o e sua ideia de conectar ela ao seu projeto.

Ever been at a networking event and felt like the person you were talking to was more interested in their own story than in yours? Active listening is your secret weapon to stand out. Imagine you're at a conference and meet someone who mentions their recent project struggles. Instead of pivoting to your own achievements, ask thoughtful questions about their challenges. This shows genuine interest and builds a deeper connection. By focusing on what others share and engaging meaningfully, you not only create a memorable interaction but also open doors to valuable opportunities.

There are two parts to the value exchange - knowing what you need AND asking others how you can support them. As part of your preparation for the event, think about what you are hoping to gain from this experience and what you need from others. When someone asks you (and they will) how they can support you - know what you will say. Do you need contacts at certain companies? An introduction? Information? While in conversation with others, always ask how you can support the other person. And then listen carefully. Ask clarifying questions to ensure you understand their needs. Confirm the best way to contact them for follow-up. Only commit to what you can actually deliver. Then, follow through. Remember, your brand is at stake here.

Para fazer conex?es valiosas em um evento de networking, foque em trocar valor real. Em vez de apenas promover seu trabalho, comece ouvindo ativamente. Descubra os desafios e interesses dos outros e ofere?a algo relevante, seja uma ideia, um recurso ou uma introdu??o útil. Mostrar que você pode contribuir genuinamente para o sucesso deles cria uma base sólida para uma rela??o de longo prazo. Lembre-se, as melhores conex?es s?o feitas quando você ajuda os outros a resolver problemas, n?o apenas quando fala sobre suas próprias conquistas.

I believe this is an important part if networking that we may not know how to do well. We may question what value could I share. That is why doing the research and active listening already mentioned is a must do. It will be difficult at first, but the more practice you do in exchanging thoughts, knowledge and insights, the easier it will become. Remember you are building relationships, expanding your network and exchanging information. So don't go on single focused or is all about you and what you will get out of it.

At networking events, your goal is to build relationships, not just accumulate contacts. Think about how you can provide value to others first. Whether it’s offering insights, resources, or connecting someone with a potential opportunity, adding value fosters reciprocity and trust. When you give before you expect to receive, you position yourself as a leader and a collaborator, which enhances your personal and professional growth.

Procuro sempre pensar em como posso ajudar a outra pessoa, seja com uma conex?o, informa??o útil, ou até mesmo uma dica baseada em minha experiência. Isso demonstra interesse genuíno e cria uma base sólida para futuras intera??es.

Be intentional in following up. The connection doesn’t end when the event does—following up is crucial. Reach out to those you connected with meaningfully, referencing your conversation and expressing your appreciation. Show that you value the relationship and are committed to nurturing it beyond the networking event. Following up isn’t just about securing opportunities; it’s about building a long-term professional network that supports your career growth over time.

The event may end, but the connection shouldn’t. Send a thoughtful message soon after, recalling something specific from your conversation. This personal touch not only keeps you on their radar but shows that the interaction meant something to you.

A solidez de um relacionamento profissional leva tempo para acontecer. é necessário cultivar uma conex?o através de encontros, feedbacks sinceros e lembretes (sabe aquele ditado de que quem n?o é visto, n?o é lembrado?!). Tenha interesse verdadeiro em desenvolver esse contato e planeje formas de evoluir esse relacionamento profissional!

Para asegurarte de que se establezcan conexiones significativas en un evento de networking, es clave enfocarte en aportar valor y generar curiosidad. En lugar de pedir favores o trabajo o hablar únicamente de ti, interésate por los demás, haciendo preguntas abiertas que fomenten la conversación. Comparte tus conocimientos y experiencias relevantes que puedan ser útiles para ser un aliado o recurso valioso. Prepara un mensaje claro sobre quién eres y qué te diferencia, despierta el interés Finalmente, asegúrate de hacer un buen seguimiento después del evento con un mensaje personalizado que refleje los temas discutidos, demostrando interés y disposición para mantener la relación profesional. Sé amable, escucha y sonríe, es gratis!

Don’t let the connection fade. Engage with their content on LinkedIn, reach out occasionally to check in, or send a helpful article their way. Building meaningful connections requires nurturing over time, and a small, thoughtful gesture goes a long way in solidifying a professional relationship.