If you're ready to elevate your career and expand your connections, an effective way to do so is by participating in Industry Networking Events.
In today's work environment, building social connections is essential, and Industry Networking Events provide the opportunity to establish meaningful relationships. So, what exactly is an Industry Networking Event? How can you make the most of such an event? Let's continue to explore this topic together with Navigos Search - the leading mid and senior-level talent hunting brand in Vietnam!
1. What is an Industry Networking Event?
An Industry Networking Event refers to an event within a specific field where you meet and interact with individuals of varying personalities, building a network for yourself. To make an Industry Networking Event successful, proper planning is essential.
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Industry Networking Event: A Field Event
2. What to Prepare for When Attending an Industry Networking Event?
Planning Ahead
In your plan, outline the questions you want to ask others and the information about yourself that you'd like to share. Your preparation should align with your goals for attending the Industry Networking Event. Don't forget to bring essential items such as your CV if you're seeking a job, business cards if you're looking for partners, a small notebook and pen for jotting down important information, and more.
Industry Networking Events Aren't Just for Friends
During Industry Networking Events, you'll often encounter strangers and engage in conversations with them. However, in reality, some participants use these events as opportunities to catch up with friends or acquaintances. If this is the case, you'll have limited time to interact and communicate with new people. This will likely result in a less fruitful networking experience, and you won't be able to establish positive relationships with anyone new.
Therefore, even if you feel hesitant about engaging with strangers or are unsure about your first Industry Networking Event, be bold and confident in interacting to build positive relationships around you.
Avoid "Collecting" Business Cards
When attending an Industry Networking Event, don't focus too much on collecting other people's business cards. This approach won't help you establish relationships and might even make others uncomfortable. Instead, prioritize meaningful conversation topics to leave a positive impression on the other person. Once you've made a good impression, establishing a connection will become easier.
Active Listening
A crucial aspect of building positive relationships is active listening. This principle applies to Industry Networking Events as well. Avoid dominating the conversation and focus on actively listening to the other person. Sincere listening helps you understand the message the other person wants to share, making it easier to continue the conversation and enhance the communication experience. Show your attentiveness through actions like nodding, maintaining eye contact,...
You have to prepare for everything before
3. Other important notes when participating in industry networking events
Here are a few notes that you should know to get the industry networking event as expected:
Pay attention to your appearance
The first impression to others may be what you appear on the outside. When others do not know anything about you, let your appearance "speak". This does not confirm that who is beautiful will be noticed by many people and vice versa. The appearance here does not necessarily mean that you have an attractive appearance, but you need a polite, elegant and calm appearance.
In fact, industry networking events will have an office-oriented style, so you should choose the appropriate outfit. For women, don't dress too fancy or wear too much makeup, spray too much perfume, ... because these factors can make you lose points.
Tactfully handle rejection
Being rejected by others can make you frustrated, you may not even be interested in participating in the next industry Networking Event. So try not to let that rejection affect your feelings and decisions. You should keep yourself positive attitude and optimistic spirit to be stronger. Absolutely do not do negative actions such as retaliation when being rejected by others because destroying the relationship will not help you better.
Bring a friend
If it's your first time attending an event, bring a "quality" friend to boost your confidence. Of course, with that said, industry networking events are not for friends. So choose friends in the same industry and during the event, you can actively separate to interact with other relationships.
Find similarities
To have effective conversations and communication, be quick to find similarities between yourself and the other person. This makes the conversation stronger and more open. If the other party is not active, be bold and proactively ask for information that exploits views, thoughts, ...
Say “no” to being late
When attending an industry networking event, you absolutely must not be late. Try to arrive earlier to have time to redefine the event venue, search, chat early with others,... Moreover, in all events, suddenly entering the hall when someone is present. That being said will make you awkward, lose points because others judge you less charming, unprofessional.
Important notes when attending Industry networking events
We all see, a person rarely achieves success if he or she does not have relationships around. Now that you have a better understanding of the importance of industry networking events, try to participate as much as possible.
In addition, you can also follow Navigos Search's Linkedin and Facebook pages to not miss any industry networking events and market information, useful articles on human resources, career advancement,... Please. Thank you readers for taking the time to follow Navigos Search!
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