HOW TO ACT NATURAL (AND STILL GET WHAT YOU WANT)

When you’re not at an official networking event, it can be awkward to whip our your business cards and start dealing. Cindy Leong, personality and relationship coach from Relationship Studio, shares how to make the right contacts without appearing self-serving or manipulative.

1 Limit self-disclosure

Launching uninvited into a monologue about what you do can seem creepy. Ease into the conversation slowly, and take an interest in the other person by asking questions about them first before offering information about yourself.

2 Don’t ask for contact details right away

Again, very creepy when you’re not explicitly networking. Make sure you’ve built a rapport with the person first. Then explain why you are interested in connecting again before asking for an e-mail or number.

3 Quid pro quo

When you try to sell them something or get them to do something for you, they’ll be thinking: “What’s in it for me?” Make sure you have an answer, and a good one.

4 Catch and release

Networking is supposed to be quick. Five to 10 minutes is all the time you should take to get your message across and move on. Watch the person’s body language. If you notice them scanning the room, they’re probably looking for an exit strategy. That’s when you know to wrap things up ASAP.