Connect and network during the holidays

This is a guest blog by Alecia Kissel, HR/Recruiting intern at Milliner & Associates, LLC in Indianapolis.

The high spirits of the holidays bring out the social butterfly in me. There is just something about connecting with people face to face that makes the season brighter. Another networking event is coming up, and it’s a good time to go back over what I learned to prepare myself.

The first thing I learned was: Keep business cards handy and easily accessible (i.e. not at the bottom of a large purse). People almost immediately ask for a business card. I fumbled with my purse trying to find my cards occasionally, so this time I will put them in my pocket or bring a smaller bag. Also, I need to be a bit less prepared with business cards because they were so packed into my card holder, I could barely get them out! Chances are I will not get the chance to speak to everyone at the event because it is not set up like speed dating. I will lighten my load, so that I can be more efficient with my time talking with people instead of searching through my purse.

I have heard the pros and cons of coming with someone you know. My take on it is: If someone tags along, make sure it is a person that can be comfortable on his or her own at the event too. After all, the point of networking is to meet new people, not spend time with people you already know. On the plus side, seeing a familiar face might calm any initial nerves.

At my last networking event, I got caught in more in-depth conversations than I thought I would. This leads to my next tip: Engage in both short and long conversations. There is nothing wrong with meeting someone, asking for his or her card and politely excusing yourself from the conversation.

A couple of times I got this response after handing out my business card: “You’re an intern?” Lesson number four: Stand tall as an intern at a professional networking event. My value there was no less than anyone else’s. I still found people who would be good candidates for our clients at Milliner & Associates, and I made connections with potential clients. I kept in mind that everyone there was a good connection for me to have, but also I could be a potential hire since I am in the market for full-time employment. So yes, I am an intern, and I take my job very seriously. Would I be at this networking event in the first place if I didn’t?

Don’t get me wrong, these events are not for everyone. I thrive in them because I know I can just walk up to anyone and have a conversation. However, even if being a social butterfly isn’t your forte, try go to at least one networking event just to see what it is like. You never know who you might connect with.