It’s hard enough finding someone you actually enjoy talking to.
Especially at networking events.
So it was especially frustrating that some guy chose the absolutely worst five words for breaking in on our conversation.
Here’s what happened.
I’m talking to someone I had just met.
The conversation is easy.
Natural.
Flowing.
We’re talking about vacations.
And kids.
And skiing.
And giving back to the community.
It’s light.
And fun.
And then it evaporates.
Poof!
This guy hustles up to us,
Breaks in on the conversation,
And pointedly asks the guy I’m talking to
“So, what do you do?”
Instantly awkward.
No way to recover.
Opportunity blown.
For all of us.
He probably thought he was helping.
Getting down to business.
But sometimes it’s not about business.
It’s about people.
It’s about connecting with people.
And people are so much more than what they do that you’re really selling them short if you lead with business.
I talked to about 30 people that night.
Four were old friends I haven’t seen in several years.
Three were legitimate leads.
Three more could lead to legitimate leads.
But I don’t know about that one that got interrupted.
I’ll never know.
It could have turned into something.
Maybe.
Oh well.
Here are three ways to make sure you don’t sabotage opportunities for yourself and everyone else:
1. Approach people who are alone
When a conversation ends, head to the food line.
Since you ate before the event (you did, right?),
You can skip the actual line for food,
And instead look for someone who’s just finishing getting their food.
That’s a great time to strike up a conversation.
That’s how I got three leads at the event Monday night.
By approaching people who just came out of the food line.
2. Do Not Approach People in Two-Person Conversations
It’s just rude to break in on a two-person conversation.
So don’t do it.
If no one’s standing alone, wait a beat.
No one’s judging you for being between conversations.
Wait another beat.
If you really can’t take it anymore, approach a group of 3 or more.
Stay on the perimeter until there’s an opportunity to join the conversation.
Or until you spot someone standing alone.
3. Use a good non-business opening
“Hi, I’m Andy”
(Though I recommend using your name instead of mine…)
Then they’ll give you their name.
Then it’s your turn to make it non awkward.
Ask a non-business question like:
“How’s it going?”
“Do you come to a lot of these kinds of events?”
“Where were you coming in from tonight?”
A non-threatening, not too personal question that’s easy to answer.
Find something non-business to talk about first.
The reason “What do you do” is so awkward is that people usually use it way too soon.
Just relax.
Connect first.
Then the conversation will naturally turn to business.
What’s the most awkward behavior you’ve seen at networking events?