Networking Tips for Professional Meetings 

§ Be on time to events	§ If in doubt what to wear, ASK!
§ If you cannot find anyone to ask, dress up not down	§ Be warm but formal in greetings.
§ Look people in the eyes when you talk to them.	§ Say in a clear voice, “Hello, I am ----- from --- and offer your hand.
§ Handshakes should be firm and brief, not bone crushing, limp or lingering.	§ Address people by the titles they earned.
§ They will tell you when to call them by their first name.	§ Manners are the lubricant that keeps a society running smoothly. Use them.
§ If you are going overseas and do not know local customs, ASK!	§ Do not presume that gender or age defines roles.
§ The purpose of a business dinner is to meet and dine, not to chow down.	§ You should ask someone if you might join him or her for dinner.
§ If they offer you a business card, read it before you put it away.	§ Introduce yourself to everyone at the table.
§ Offer one in return if you can, but if unable, say, “I am sorry I do not have a card with me.”	§ Do not sit at a table full of students from your own university.

Ten Questions for dinner

1. What made you choose this profession?

2. What is your current position? If they gave you’re their

3. What type of responsibilities does your current position entail?

4. What do you like about your current position?

5. What types of positions have you been in prior to this position?

6. What travels does your position take you on?

7. What is the most interesting place you have traveled to on work or for a vacation?

8. Do you attend the annual conference of this organization? What is it like?

9. Where do you think the growth area is in this profession?

10. What do you think of (current topic in this profession)?

You do not have to run through the list of questions. However, they will help you from feeling that you do not know what to ask next. You can ask these same questions of everyone at the table and obtain a wide range of answers.

Things you should know!

You should be able to explain your major in detail.

You should know your major’s website.

Never talk ill of your University or classmate, this talk only makes you look bad.

Be able to tell them what interests you and what you would like to learn.

Do not try to impress people and never tell even a little lie.

Like Mark Twain said, “Always tell the truth, if nothing else it is easier to remember.”