SolveYourProblem Article Series: Networking
How To Successfully Network Yourself

Networking: Do Not Appear Overly Agrressive

Networking is growing in its popularity and importance in today’s business world. It is becoming more critical to attend social functions to meet new people and develop meaningful relationships in the name of business. Being assertive and persistent is an important part of making networking successful; however you should avoid being too aggressive. Being overly pushy can give you an appearance of being on the prowl, which may scare potential contacts away.

Aggressive networking turns potential contacts off because it fails to establish the trust factor. Networking is not just about getting ahead in your own life. In fact, it involves developing reciprocal relationships. These are relationships where both parties stand to gain from the venture. If you appear too forceful potential business contacts may fear you are more concerned with your own well being than establishing a mutual association.

Another simple way to avoid appearing on the prowl involves how you phrase your conversations. For example, instead of directly asking “Can you get me a job at your firm?” ask, “Do you know of any openings where you work?” The second question, though asking the same thing, is more tactful. The networking contact will feel more at ease and less obligated to make a commitment to you that they are uncomfortable with.

Another way to avoid looking too aggressive is too avoid lying or misrepresenting yourself. This means not pretending that you know someone if you don’t. It is dishonest to say someone referred you if you were not and furthermore, if the contact discovers your fib they may find you untrustworthy. In the same respect always ask a contact for permission to use their name when you are networking, and never take advantage of a contact’s willingness to help.

Being a good listener will also help you appear less forceful in your approach. The best way to show new acquaintances you're interested in what they have to say is to pay close attention to them. Experts suggest that you spend 80 percent of your networking time listening to others rather than talking.

If you obviously target and individual and bulldoze your way through the crowd to get to them you will appear too eager. You should circulate the room continuously, spending 5 to 6 minutes with each person you talk to. When you are ready to move on make sure to depart gracefully. You should ask permission to be excused, and if you are speaking to someone with status you should mention that you don’t want to monopolize his or her time. This strategy is both respectful and flattering.

While experts will agree that are large part of making networking successful depends on a degree of persistence, you should be careful not to come across as pushy. Avoid monopolizing all of someone’s time. Keep in mind, people attend these events to socialize and mingle. They may become annoyed if they feel you are dominating their entire evening.

In general, when networking, do not be pushy. Many individuals have had bad experiences with overly assertive people trying to use their resources and giving nothing in return. Keep in mind that someone who is too persistent can be annoying and will not only lose out on the contact they are talking to, but they might ruin their networking reputation all together.

Social networking for business purposes will only continue to grow in the months and years to come. Therefore, it is important to learn how to do it effectively, including learning which behaviors to avoid. Learning how to mingle efficiently, and without being perceived as pushy, is critical to successful business networking.

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007

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