Meeting Your New Networking Friends

Networking really starts to pay off when it gets more formalized—that is, when you’re meeting face-
toface.

This might be early-morning coffee, breakfast, lunch, or other breaks in the day. When you’re working
hard at this you’ll feel like you’re floating (and you literally will if you drink another iced tea or coffee),
but these meetings are what networking, and your search, are all about. Face-to-face meetings can
make an impression that lasts for up to two weeks. This is the greater reward for greater investment and
that is why you need to be prepared for these meetings. It’s been mentioned several times already, but
networking is about giving, and the first thing you can give someone you are going to meet is a positive,
relaxing experience. This is easy because all you have to do is think about how you like to be treated and
do that for them. Pick a Quiet Place Pick a place to meet where you know you can have a conversation.
tarbucks could have a line item in their annual report for the amount of networking that contributes to
heir bottom line, but not all Starbucks are created equal. Some are rock ’n’ roll

and some are more business oriented. If at all possible, suggest meeting places where you know you’ll
be able to hear the other person talk without constantly asking her to repeat herself. Pick a Time That its
Their Schedule When you are meeting with someone who is working, early morning, lunch, or after work
re typically the best times. This leaves mid-morning and mid-afternoon to meet with other executives in
transition or to make phone calls. Remember, emails can be done any time of the day or night, but there

are only so many hours that you can call or meet face-to-face with people. Be Early It might be
fashionable to show up late to a cocktail party, but not for a business appointment. Take into account
that traffic doesn’t flow at the same speed every day. Even when you take a train, the one day it doesn’t
run on time might be the morning of your meeting.