Networking Don'ts

It is sometimes painful

for me to watch people only start to network when they are in their late 40’s and have just been downsized out of their positions.

You don’t need to be a smooth operator in order to be successful at networking but you just can’t be completely socially inept.

Avoid the following:

1.

Don’t even elude to someone’s family.

“I.e. I don’t know if you are married or not but I can’t get my kids from……” You can casually refer to your wife or husband but don’t bring it or kids up unnecessarily.

Everyone knows that lives are busy with kids and people without kids don’t want to hear about your challenges with balancing your family life.

Stick to business as well as other items that are of particular interest to you.

2.

Don’t ask how someone’s job is going at their company?

Speak to industry observations as well as company observations or news that you have read, and speak to what areas of your due diligence on their company are of particular interest to you or them.

3.

Obviously religion and politics are a subject that is off limits.

Don’t even mention the easy target that is Rob Ford if you live in Toronto.

Keep in mind, Ford Nation still has a lot of supporters living in the horseshoe surrounding the Toronto core and many of them still believe that he is more honest than George Smitherman or the others that Ford ran against in the last election.

4.

Don’t ask someone where they went to school.

If it comes up, that is a different story but it can often be a sensitive topic for people that did not go to university or people that do not wish to discuss their alma matter.

5.

Don’t ask someone if they can introduce you to someone when you have not invested adequate time into the conversation or relationship.

Always offer to be of service to them after you have learned more about them.

This will likely lead to a reciprocal offer.

6.

Be able deliver a smooth 30 second elevator spiel as to who you are and what you are looking for in general.

Do not lead with this pitch!

Blend it into the conversation and only after you have had an opportunity to learn more about them.

Remember to THANK people twice for their offer to help you.

“it was great meeting you and thanks again for your assistance…”

Farewell,

Mike