- Before the reception, request and obtain an attendance list and think about who will be attending. Whom do you want to meet? Who can you introduce to whom?
- Prepare and practice a self-introduction (also known as an elevator speech). Think about what you will say when asked, “What do you do?”
- Bring a stack of business cards.
- Have some topics to talk about: check the news.
- Arrive early, smile, and stand up straight.
- Wear your name tag on your upper right shoulder.
- Look for and approach someone you know.
- Look at and encourage the speaker; resist interrupting.
- Spend 95 percent of your time asking questions about the other person.
- Ask for business cards (rather than offering yours) and spend some time examining the card.
- Be ready to move on and to say something like, “Excuse me, I see someone I need to say hello to.”
- Send thank-you emails, notes, and tailored “Let’s connect” requests on LinkedIn.
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