Networking & Etiquette

Agenda

• Networking – what is it?• How to Network – good etiquette• Corporate dress – business casual?• Business dining basics• Know your BMW• Resources

What isn’t Networking?

• It’s not superficial connections and lunching.

• It’s not about handing out business cards.

• It’s not about asking for a job.

• It’s not about short term payback.

• It’s not about hanging with your friends and calling it networking.

What is Networking?• It’s cultivating relationships with others in a

meaningful way.

• It’s building “bank” of contacts that can provide information and support when you need it, and in return you can help them when they need it.

• It’s about reaping long term professionally rewarding relationships.

• It’s about staying in touch with the pulse of the business world through your network.

• “I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy”

Why Network?

• 70-80% of jobs are filled via networking – the silent job market.

• Search Firms 10-15%

• Ads in Print or Internet 10-15%

• A “warm” call is much easier to make than a “cold” call.

• Stay abreast of what’s happening in the business world.

Do you have a Network?

• You already have a network – the trick is to build that network in the professional grid

• Fill in your network grid, and see where you need to expand.

Your Personal Network Chart

Career

Organizational

Personal

Professional

How to Network

• The 4 “E’s”– Establish…………….. eye contact

– Extend………………. your hand

– Engage………………. in conversation

– Exchange……………. business cards (if appropriate)

How to Network• Do’s

– Network broadly– Follow up! If you make a promise to someone, live

up to it.– Offer to assist. If you help me, I’ll help you.– View every social situation as a networking

opportunity.– Ask questions – people like to talk about themselves.– Maintain contact, even if only sparsely.

• Don’ts– Equate endless lunches with networking – Get hung up with one conversation – move around– Stay in your comfort zone and only talk to people

just like you– Make a promise you can’t or won’t keep.– Be a wallflower – show initiative and make the

first move

How to Network

First Impressions

• “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.”

• Dress, voice and body language account for 90% of first impressions: be confident

• Posture and demeanour count for a lot. Stand up and smile!

• God gave us two ears and 1 mouth for a reason – Listen twice as much as you speak.

• Use first and last names• Introduce junior person to senior person. Senior =

position or age, not gender.• Forget someone’s name? Don’t fake it, admit it.• Focus when being introduced. Either use a rhyming

game to remember their name, or use it three times in conversation. However, don’t overdo it, they are not your buddy.

Making Introductions

Risk-Free Conversations

• Safe Topics:– Public information – read the newspapers– Travel– Business

• Avoid:– Politics– Religion– personal questions, disclosures, money, health

Corporate Dress

• Fit the Corporate culture – investigate• Dressing conservatively is risk free – gives you time to

learn the corporate culture.• Dressing trendy is risky – what does it say about your

professionalism and perceived image of the company?• Your personal image is a reflection of the company’s

image.• Are you a winner? Look like a winner!

Business Casual

• “If you don’t have to change when you get home from work, you are too casual.” Dan Vass, Grant Thornton

• Don’t– Out-dress the boss

– Wear running shoes, leggings, anything torn, shoes without socks, athletic wear, see-through fabrics, tank tops, t-shirts with messages, distressed clothing

– Wear too much perfume, aftershave, or show too much skin• Low-cut, crop tops, tank tops, short shorts, or very short skirts

Business Dining Basics

• Sit when you’re invited to sit. If it is not assigned seating, choose a table of people you don’t know and ask if a seat is taken.

• Napkin goes on your lap, not tucked into your shirt. If you get up, leave it on your chair.

• Several rows of cutlery, start on the outside and work inward.

• Your bread plate is on your left, main dinner plate in the middle, wine glasses on your right. (BMW)

• If you’re in doubt, always follow a leader.

A Final Note• Practice – attend Corporate Info sessions and stick

around after to network• Join student clubs or other associations• Get involved in a mentorship program• Check out on-line resources such as

www.etiquetteexpert.com

Are You Dressed for Success?