Networking Basics: How to Master a Networking Event

Late spring/summer always seems to have so many networking opportunities. Usually there are events to help students network, but a lot of professional orgs and alumni groups have get togethers around this time as well. I remember the summer before starting law school I attended my first legit networking event and was kind of confused about what to do. Thankfully, with practice it gets easier (and sometimes it’s actually fun). But when you’re first starting out as a new professional, you really have to work on managing and maintaining your professional image at these events because you never know when you’ll cross paths again. Usually when people don’t seem to get a lot of out networking it’s because they are not outgoing enough, or they are too outgoing–let me explain:

You need to feel comfortable and confident enough to move around and mingle with different people. It’s so tempting to find the one person you know and never leave their side, but it will be worth it if you push yourself to meet new people at these events. Practice having a few seconds worth of an intro about yourself (what you do/hope to do; your background etc.). Practice the art of a direct examination and ask open-ended questions; bounce the ball back in conversations–even if you’re not that interested in the subject matter–so that you portray yourself as a genial and interested person. You know, someone that’s worth getting to know!

If you’re new and don’t have business cards, make sure you bring a pen and maybe post-it notes or something to write on so that you can get contact information from the people you’d like to stay in contact with. As important, if you do have business cards–bring them! I recommend visiting a london printer shop (or somewhere local) so that you can bring some professional-looking business cards with you. There are so many missed opportunities when people don’t have contact info readily available. For example, I often am looking for low-cost immigration attorneys to refer my clients. I’ve been at events where there have been low-cost immigration attorneys and when they don’t have cards to give me–how can I ever refer my clients? Even if you’re not a solo practitioner or aren’t actively looking for clients; you may be missing out on opportunities. Maybe someone wants to have you present on a topic; join a committee; or attend another event. There are just so many opportunities possible that you don’t want the option of them to pass you by simply because you didn’t think to bring some cards. If you want to take it a step further, you could bring other forms of printed marketing materials to distribute at the event. The production of professional materials of this kind tends to utilize sophisticated thermal binding methods to create the documents – this includes things like brochures and booklets.

So those are all things to do to ensure you are outgoing enough. What about when you’re too outgoing? That really just encompasses two things. First, make sure you’re not always the one talking. Be an active listener, even when you’re speaking, to make sure you’re giving everyone time to participate. Sometimes we try to fill in awkward silence by adding more and more to the convo, but the great thing about networking is that it’s expected and okay to move on to different people. When you feel an urge to just keep going even when you sense that maybe you shouldn’t–consider instead breaking away to a new group. The second thing to be cautious of for those that are particularly the life of parties is to make sure you don’t over do it with drinks. Soft and hard alcohol is almost always available at these events. There’s no harm in drinking a couple of glasses, but know your limit and don’t exceed it. Remember, an open bar is not an invitation!

While I don’t mean to sound like you have to portray some weird Stepford persona, the reality is that at networking events your personality should be a little more polished and reserved; especially if you’re networking with more mainstream legal communities. Try to meet new people, learn about them, and keep contact open once the event is over soon enough networking won’t be some dreaded obligation.