The document provides tips for networking with confidence and ease. It discusses getting in the right mindset by clarifying goals and focusing on rewards over risks. Tips are given for greeting others properly with eye contact, a smile, firm handshake, and self-introduction. Sample questions are provided for making small talk with peers and employers. Guidance is offered on smoothly entering and exiting conversations at a networking event.

1. Bill Sherman
UO AMA
LCB Career Svcs
Presentation
Networking
with
Confidence & Ease

2. The Game Plan
• Get in a “networking mindset”
– Clarify your goals
– Focus on the rewards, not the risk
–“Feel the fear and doing it anyway.”
• Work the room
– Don’t just talk to the people you know
– Make at least 3 professional contacts

3. The Greeting
• Connect eye-to-eye
• Smile sincerely
• Offer hand
• Present a firm, dry handshake
• Introduce self

4. Let’s Practice!
a) Too weak
b) Too strong
c) Too wet
d) Too cold
e) Just right

5. The Conversation
• Be positive, energetic, curious
• Ask thoughtful questions
• Listen attentively
• Toss the “conversation ball”
back and forth

6. Questions for Peers
• What is your major course of study?
• What professions interest you most?
• Where do you want to go after
graduating?
• What do you hope to get out of the
Main Event?

7. Questions for Employers
• Tell me more about your position—what
do you do?
• How do most people break into this
profession?
• What changes do you anticipate
happening in your industry?
• Any advice for a young professional
looking to succeed in a tough economy?

8. The Entrance & Exit
• Joining a conversation
– Step into the view of the person speaking
– Contribute when there is a natural segue
• Departing from a conversation
– Express appreciation for having met them
– Excuses: refresh drink, get (more)
food, talk to someone, attend to an
obligation

9. Let’s Practice!
• Approach one person
you don’t know very well
• Introduce yourself
• Ask a “get to know you”
question

10. Questions?