Written by Subhankhi Moulik
Networking. It’s a complete nightmare for introverts like me. Have you ever been at a networking event, where you felt clueless about how to approach these professionals? I have been there, and it takes a serious toll on our confidence.
Although it is intimidating, networking undeniably plays a pivotal role in today’s job market. The more connections we make, the better chances we secure for a job. One of the first steps to making a connection is approaching the right person with confidence. Confidence is what shapes your identity to your potential employers.
Here are 5 tips on how to boost your confidence while networking.
- Dress as if you are doing your dream job.
There are a lot of factors why dressing up boosts your confidence. Have you ever heard of the crossover effect? The crossover effect says the positivity you gain from one aspect of life spills into other aspects of life.
Dressing in professional attire that resonates with your style brings a sense of confidence, knowing you look presentable among others. This inner satisfaction is reflected through your attitude, bringing an overall positive energy into your interactions.
The crossover effect can be extremely effective when engaging with professionals in your field. People are naturally more drawn to positive energy. Understand how you can incorporate the crossover effect with your dressing sense with The Psychology of Formal Clothing, the article goes in-depth about boosting self-confidence with professional clothing.
Dressing up helps you not just by making you feel positive, but also shows how detail-oriented you are. Countless studies show people tend to trust employees wearing formal clothing more than regular clothing. So, take out your formal clothing, and dress the best for the event.
2. Have a plan of approach
Before going to the event, make a list of the attendees. Your goal is to make a good impression on people who are a part of your industry. The easiest way to approach someone is to give them a reason to talk to you. Think from your potential recruiters’ perspective. For example, you can ask them a question about a recent trend, or ask for advice for a new job seeker like you. Don’t just go ahead and start giving them your introduction, make sure to have a meaningful conversation with them.
Make sure you always have your introduction ready. Practice your introduction a few times in front of the mirror. Be mindful of what elements you are highlighting. Here is how to make a good introduction for your next networking event.
3. Introduce yourself with a story
The power of storytelling is unimaginable. Nobody wants to listen to your degrees or accomplishments right away, start by giving your story a character. Maybe include what interested you in the field, what makes you excited in life, or how you decided to go for this career. The options are endless, and this is the space where you can be creative.
You can also include your interests or hobbies in your story, for example, you can say something like “ I enjoy talking to people, maybe that’s why I created an online community of individuals who are interested in Geopolitics”.
4. Don’t take so much pressure
A lot of young graduates and college students attend networking events with the pressure of making as many connections as possible. Although I can understand the situation from a job seeker’s perspective, it is practically not possible for anyone to land a job by just attending one networking event. Perfection comes with practice. You would need to attend several events to understand yourself and the people attending those events. This is why give yourself time to understand how to perform best in any networking event.
5. Have a positive attitude and good body language.
There is a saying that says “Feel good, do good”, which means the better you feel, the better things will come. Always keep a positive attitude, in the event. This means making sure to have a smile on your face when you are approaching. The right body language can do wonders. Check out this article by Hive to know more about how to use body language as a networking tool.
In conclusion, be proud of yourself and who you are. Remember, there is a high chance that most people in the networking event will be in the same shoes as you. Never think less of yourself, rather believe in yourself and your accomplishments.
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