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13 Common Mistakes to Avoid at Networking Events

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Networking events can be a minefield of potential mistakes. To help you navigate, we’ve gathered thirteen pieces of advice from top professionals, including CEOs and partners, on what to avoid. From avoiding spreading yourself too thin to not overstaying with new connections, this article is your guide to successful networking.

  • Avoid Spreading Yourself Too Thin
  • Beware the “Transaction Fallacy”
  • Listen More, Talk Less
  • Avoid the “Salesperson Fangs”
  • Don’t Cling to Known Associates
  • Set a Clear Networking Goal
  • Avoid Over-Investing in Connections
  • Prepare an Elevator Pitch
  • Don’t Target Specific Contacts
  • Record Your New Contacts
  • Respect Your Current Employer
  • Don’t Ask for Jobs On-Spot
  • Don’t Overstay with New Connections

Avoid Spreading Yourself Too Thin

I often see a common mistake at networking events. People spread themselves too thin. Some industry parties or corporate expos might welcome a thousand people—trying to meet everyone is a fool’s game.

Instead, look into the guest list before going, and make a prioritized shortlist of only a dozen people you’d like to link up with. Brush up on their work history and upcoming projects so you’ll be able to speak with ease once you meet them.

It’s far better to make even one or two solid connections than many half-hearted meet-and-greets.

Travis Hann, Partner, Pender & Howe

Beware the “Transaction Fallacy”

With over two decades in the digital agency business, I’ve attended my fair share of networking events. One mistake that professionals often overlook is what I’d call the “Transaction Fallacy”—approaching networking as a transaction where you’re trying to “get something” out of the interaction immediately. 

Networking is about building relationships, not instant gratification. Trying to close a deal within the first conversation appears pushy and insincere. The key to networking is developing genuine relationships that have the potential to be mutually beneficial in the long term.

Consider networking as a form of social investment. When you engage with people without an overt agenda, you create an environment of trust and authenticity. This fosters stronger connections more likely to yield fruitful collaborations or opportunities. Forget the immediate gain and focus on planting seeds for future growth; the harvest will come when you least expect it.

Shane McEvoy, MD, LeadFly

Listen More, Talk Less

A common networking mistake I often see is people talking excessively about themselves and not actively listening to others. While many attend networking events to promote themselves or their business, my approach is different. I go to these events to learn about others, considering how they might fit into my network or become potential collaborators.

By adopting this mindset, I find that people are more willing to open up about themselves and their businesses. As a result, I gain valuable insights and create stronger connections than when I’ve focused solely on promoting my own business.

Chris Stott, Director, Seven Marketing

Avoid the “Salesperson Fangs”

The absolute biggest networking mistake is what I call “salesperson fangs.” This happens when the moment someone expresses any interest in the person, they sink their fangs in like a snake. In most cases, the person being attacked was just trying to be kind and is punished for it.

Remember, networking is like dating. The more questions you ask of the other person and the more you get them to talk, the more they will like you. The goal in networking is to expand your network (thus the name). The goal isn’t to sell to (or accost) the people in the room. 

Your network will expand if you are genuinely interested in helping the people that you meet. Be interested in them and help them get what they are looking for. If you do that, you’ll become a center of influence in any room that you network in.

Doug Staneart, CEO, Fearless Presentations

Don’t Cling to Known Associates

When attending networking events, it’s easy to go with a friend or colleague. Perhaps it’s a natural inclination to want them to come along. Or it might be a way to take some of the pressure off attending if one is not as comfortable with events where they do not know many people. 

However, attending with someone you know can potentially be a mistake if you wind up spending most of the event with that person. Instead of meeting new people and striking up conversations with different attendees, you spend more time than you should with the person you already know. 

When we go alone, sure, it might be very intimidating and nerve-racking, but it will push us to engage in conversation with new people and strengthen our networking skills. The only way to build that confidence and comfort level in attending networking events is by pushing out of the comfort zone and going alone. Most people are actually in the same boat and are happy to strike up conversations to meet new people.

Lindsey Garito, Director, People and Culture

Set a Clear Networking Goal

I believe the first step to making your networking efforts a success is defining what you would like to achieve. 

Would you like to meet potential employers or recruiters? Do you wish to increase your clientele? Or are there specific people you would like to meet, such as professionals from a particular industry? Answering these questions will help you make the most of any networking event instead of wasting your time or awkwardly hanging out alone in a corner. 

Setting a goal will also help you determine the best ways to prepare, such as making business cards, and preparing an elevator pitch to introduce yourself or your business memorably. It’s disappointing to see high-potential professionals badly review networking events just because they didn’t attend with a specific goal in mind.

Anjela Mangrum, President, Mangrum Career Solutions

Avoid Over-Investing in Connections

I’ve learned from experience that it’s important not to over-invest in people when networking. While building connections is essential, I’ve found that striking a balance is crucial. 

Over-committing my time and energy to a single person or connection can lead to missed opportunities elsewhere. Setting unrealistic expectations or putting too much pressure on one connection can also be counterproductive. It’s essential to diversify my network, set clear boundaries, and manage my time effectively. 

Networking is about cultivating a wide range of connections, and by avoiding the trap of over-investment, I can ensure that I make the most of these opportunities while also nurturing valuable existing relationships.

Kimberley Tyler-Smith, VP of Strategy and Growth, Resume Worded

Prepare an Elevator Pitch

It might seem okay to go impromptu, but preparing an elevator pitch is always a better idea. An elevator pitch, or a 30-second introduction about yourself and your business, can be a great way to get the conversation started. Ensure you have thought through what you want to say beforehand to confidently deliver it and make an excellent first impression. 

Another mistake to avoid is getting too focused on creating a sale or pitching your business. I’d say that the best way to turn people off is to push your products and services hard. Networking events are about building relationships, so focus on having meaningful conversations and connecting with the people you meet. New relationships, including professional ones, are built on a solid foundation. Make sure you build rapport before you launch into a sales pitch.

David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder and Marketing Head, Sticker It 

Don’t Target Specific Contacts

One of the more harmful mistakes to make at networking events is to create a hit-list of contacts and then avoid everyone else. 

By far, the most important networking moments of my life occurred spontaneously and organically; they didn’t involve me seeking them out. 

Naturally, high-profile contacts tend to be highly sought after during networking events, and they are unlikely to pay proper attention to you, harming your chances of establishing contact. However, when making the rounds, you tend to bump into the perfect connection, and it feels far more genuine when it occurs organically. Conversely, when trying to target specific people, it always feels forced and agenda-driven, which makes people feel uneasy and on guard. 

Instead, just take your time and be open to speaking with whoever comes your way. Not only does this help you to meet more people, but it also makes those connections seem more genuine.

Ben Schwencke, Business Psychologist, Test Partnership

Record Your New Contacts

A common mistake to avoid at a networking event is assuming you’re going to remember everyone you meet. The reason this is a mistake is that it can cause a lot of missed opportunities. 

I remember one of the first networking events that I ever went to. I met a lot of new people, some of whom were great potential partners for the company I was working for at the time. However, I failed to take any record of who I’d met, how to contact them, etc. While I could remember a few standout individuals, something you’ll learn is that some of the best partnerships come from the people you don’t expect, and forgetting who you’ve met can be a big mistake. 

So, next time you go to a networking event, make sure you keep a record of who you’ve met. I guarantee you it’ll be more than you remember. And chances are, you’ll get some great partnerships or collaborations out of it.

Michael Maroney, Marketing Director and Lead Biologist, Infinite Outdoors

Respect Your Current Employer

It’s essential to remember that you aren’t just representing yourself at a networking event—you’re also representing your employer. 

An unfortunate incident occurred last year where one of our marketing leads and I were at a networking event together. He apparently complained to someone there about his current job and was openly angling to jump ship. This got around to me by the end of the day, and he definitely got his opportunity to jump ship. 

It’s no secret that networking events are a great chance to explore other job opportunities—just use a little tact and patience in when and how you act on those opportunities, and don’t publicly speak ill of your current employer, especially when they’re in the room.

Nick Valentino, VP of Market Operations, Bellhop

Don’t Ask for Jobs On-Spot

Asking for a job on the spot is something I don’t recommend at a networking event. It can make you look desperate, and it’s really not a great opportunity for that. 

When at a networking event, you should be focusing on talking to as many professionals as possible and simply getting your name out there. You want to make a good first impression and give them your information so they can contact you if need be.

Simply getting to know people is key, and making notes in your phone about them is helpful. Then, when you contact them about a possible job opportunity in the future, you can refer back to these notes to make a connection.

Kristie Tse, Founder, Uncover Counseling

Don’t Overstay with New Connections

It’s important not to hang on too tightly to those you click with. It’s important to recognize that everyone is at the networking event for the same reason: meeting people. If you’ve given another person enough information to understand your story and how to reach out, the important connecting will be accomplished in a future (usually one-on-one) meeting.

Trevor Ewen, COO, QBench

6 Ways to Impact Employee Retention Through Training & Development

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To understand the impact of employee training and development on employee retention, we’ve gathered insights from six industry leaders, including CEOs and Human Resources Directors. Their responses range from how “Training Fosters Emotional Connection” to how “Training Enhances Job Satisfaction and Loyalty”. Dive into these insights to better understand the importance of training in retaining your employees.

  • Training Fosters Emotional Connection
  • Training Enables Career Mobility
  • Investment in Training Attracts Talent
  • Onboarding Training Reduces Early Termination
  • Training Boosts Happiness and Loyalty
  • Training Enhances Job Satisfaction and Loyalty

Training Fosters Emotional Connection

As a corporate training organization, we love collecting all of the comments from all of our participants. We receive all kinds of great feedback on what people have learned and how they are going to apply it at their place of work. 

Time and time again, the responses that stick out for us aren’t necessarily the hard and defined outcomes; they’re the emotive replies about how people felt after the training. 

Training isn’t always about 1+2=3. It can be about the simple fact that people want to feel seen and heard at work. They want to be recognized and have their company invest in their skills. They want to feel a true sense of belonging at work. 

When people feel a part of the organization’s journey, they aren’t looking for other jobs…they are looking forward to the next training session!

Ashley Kelly, CEO and Co-Founder, CultureAlly

Training Enables Career Mobility

Employee training and development has a positive impact on employee retention because it allows for additional lateral and upward mobility within organizations. If employees are continually learning new skills, it allows them to test the waters in new departments or positions, and possibly move up the corporate ladder faster than they otherwise would. In other words, continuous employee training gives individuals more options within their respective organization, and therefore, more incentive to stay with their current company, as opposed to being forced into a particular division or role on a permanent basis.

Janelle Owens, Human Resources Director, Guide2Fluency

Investment in Training Attracts Talent

Investing in employee training has a profound impact on retention. Here’s why. At ZenMaid, we’ve recognized that beyond competitive salaries and benefits, what truly drives our team is the desire to grow and be competitive. Training empowers our team, allowing them to embrace bigger roles and challenges. It breaks the monotony, ensuring that tasks aren’t just repetitive but are filled with purpose and progression. The outcome? Loyal employees who stick around, driving down attrition and elevating retention.

But the ripple effect doesn’t stop there. Career-driven individuals talk, and when they do, they praise companies that prioritize development. We’ve seen this firsthand. Through our commitment to training, we’ve not only retained our star players but also attracted top-tier talent. It’s a win-win: our team feels valued, grows in their roles, and in turn, they spread the word, helping us bring in more like-minded professionals. It’s a cycle of growth, and it starts with training.

Amar Ghose, CEO, ZenMaid

Onboarding Training Reduces Early Termination

Employee training and development have a positive impact on employee retention. An uncommon example of this is providing timely feedback and support during the onboarding process. This helps new employees acclimate to the company quickly, which can reduce the risk of burnout or early termination due to feeling overwhelmed or out of sync with organizational objectives. By helping them make connections within the organization and developing skills for early success, new team members are more likely to stay motivated and engaged longer.

Julia Kelly, Managing Partner, Rigits

Training Boosts Happiness and Loyalty

Calling all HR heroes! Employee training and development, like a ninja with a briefcase, wield a powerful impact on retention rates. Let’s crunch some data and sprinkle a dash of humor on this delectable dish. Studies show that employees who receive regular training are happier than a kid in a candy store. A whopping 94% of them are more likely to stay put in their jobs! Imagine the office dance party when they learn new skills and grow like a well-watered office plant. Development opportunities are the secret sauce that keeps employees loyal, like a sidekick to their favorite superhero. They feel valued and ready to conquer new challenges, just like Rocky facing Apollo Creed! So, invest in training like a wise wizard handling magic beans. Happy employees mean a happier bottom line and a team that sticks around like chewing gum on a shoe!

Himanshu Sharma, CEO and Founder, Academy of Digital Marketing

Training Enhances Job Satisfaction and Loyalty

Employee training and development have a significant impact on employee retention. When organizations invest in their employees’ growth and skill enhancement, it demonstrates a commitment to their professional advancement. This fosters a sense of loyalty and appreciation among employees, making them more likely to stay with the company long-term.

Training and development programs also improve employees’ job satisfaction and confidence. By acquiring new skills and knowledge, they become more competent in their roles, leading to increased job engagement and reduced turnover. Moreover, providing opportunities for growth within the organization encourages career progression, reducing the likelihood of employees seeking opportunities elsewhere.

Aviad Faruz, CEO, Know Mastery

8 Resume Tips for Transitioning to a New Industry

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Crafting a resume for a new industry can be a daunting task. To help you navigate this process, we’ve gathered eight pieces of advice from industry leaders and HR professionals. From identifying and highlighting transferable skills to taking time to understand your target industry, these tips will guide you in making a successful transition.

  • Identify and Highlight Your Transferable Skills
  • Condense Your Resume, Consider Entry-Level Positions
  • Focus On Universally Applicable Skills
  • Emphasize Industry-Specific Knowledge
  • Avoid Retraining by Reframing Old Skill Sets
  • Maintain Honesty About Your Experience
  • Scan Job Posts and Tailor Your Resume to the Role
  • Take Time to Understand Your Target Industry

Identify and Highlight Your Transferable Skills

Changing careers is difficult, but with the right strategy, it’s not impossible. A crucial step to embarking on a new professional adventure is crafting your resume. When entering a different industry, this might feel intimidating all on its own, as you probably don’t have any actual experience in this new field. 

The good news is, that’s okay. All you need to do is spend some time considering how the education, skills, and experience that you already have translate into your new role. Chances are, a lot of the abilities and professional adventures that you’ve accumulated over the years have prepared you for this very position. 

Start by identifying your transferable soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, or leadership, followed by hard skills like coding, data analysis, or marketing. Make sure you highlight them in your resume, along with the professional experiences and projects that helped you gain these skills.

Maja Kowalska, Community Manager, Zety

Condense Your Resume, Consider Entry-Level Positions

The finest resumes, like the best products, effectively convey your abilities and experience to potential employers. You won’t get even a complete page read in the few seconds that people spend on your CV. Making your resume too long dilutes the significance of each section. Just hit the high points. 

Also, taking an entry-level position in a new field might be a great way to get your feet wet and learn the ropes. Find a position where you can learn from more seasoned members of the team, such as a junior position, intern position, or help desk support function.

Aleksandar Ginovski, Career Expert, Resume Expert, and Product Manager, Enhancv

Focus On Universally Applicable Skills

One crucial tip I’d offer is to maximize your use of transferable skills. As a life coach, I regularly underscore the importance of introspection and self-reflection to my clients. 

When switching industries, these abilities prove invaluable for identifying and translating your skills to suit new contexts. For example, my background in psychology and emotional intelligence enables me to adapt to diverse professional environments by understanding, communicating with, and influencing others. 

The capacity to empathize, manage stress, and practice mindfulness—attributes typically associated with mental health professionals—are indeed valuable in any industry. 

Shifting your perspective from industry-specific competencies to universally applicable skills will significantly improve your chances of successfully transitioning into a new field.

Bayu Prihandito, Psychology Expert, Life Coach, and Founder, Life Architekture

Emphasize Industry-Specific Knowledge

Make sure you emphasize any specific knowledge pertinent to a new industry. Let’s say you’re interested in entering a highly regulated industry like healthcare, finance, or pharma. 

Mentioning that you are well-versed in handling confidential data, protecting personal identifying information (or PII for short), and maintaining strong relationships with various stakeholders to get necessary approvals will be important qualifications to highlight. These can help you stand out in front of a recruiter.

Andrea Misir, Career Coach, The Millennial Career Coach

Avoid Retraining by Reframing Old Skill Sets

As a recruiter specializing in the equipment and industrial sector, it’s common to encounter workers looking to change industries, certain that they’ll need serious retraining. Sometimes they’re right, but just as often, it’s untrue. This can be attributed to a lack of imagination.

Crafting a resume for a new industry requires reframing old skill sets.

For example, if you’re trained on a specific program or machinery that is no longer applicable, don’t toss the whole entry. Instead, rename the task as problem-solving or general engineering. 

Leadership and collaboration experiences are universally applicable, as are office skills and communication techniques.

Go down the page until you’ve tweaked every section, and you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised at how many skills have crossover potential.

Linn Atiyeh, CEO, Bemana

Maintain Honesty About Experience

Be honest with your experience and don’t try to “pad out” your resume. It’s much better to be honest about the level of experience that you have, rather than trick the hiring manager or ‌lie about your experience. This approach can only ever end badly!

Tracey Beveridge, HR Director, Personnel Checks

Scan Job Posts and Tailor Your Resume to the Role

One crucial piece of advice for crafting a resume when switching industries is to research the skills for your desired role carefully. 

You can do this by scanning various job postings related to the role you’re aiming for. Once you’ve made a list of those skills, check which ones you already possess and highlight them on your resume.

Remember that your resume is often first screened by an ATS, not a human. Thus, it’s important to incorporate the relevant keywords used in the job descriptions. 

This will increase your chances of getting past the initial screening and landing an interview. Tailoring your resume this way not only shows your understanding of the industry but also showcases your adaptability, which is highly valued when switching industries.

Martin Potocki, CEO, Jobera

Take Time to Understand Your Target Industry

Understanding the fundamental skills, qualifications, and requirements for your target industry takes time. Identify the key strengths and knowledge areas highly valued in that field. 

Review your previous experiences and identify transferable skills you’ve gained that can be applied in the new context. These may include communication skills, problem-solving abilities, project management, leadership, teamwork, or technical proficiencies that can be relevant across industries.

Customize your resume, showcasing your transferable skills and experiences that align with the new industry. Create a summary or profile section at the beginning of your resume to highlight your relevant skills and qualifications. 

Emphasize accomplishments and provide tangible evidence of your capabilities, instead of focusing solely on job responsibilities. If you have any transferable or relevant qualifications, include them in a dedicated section or under your education.

Brendan Bray, Team Manager, EC1 Partners

Why You Need a Coach

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The choice of switching to Career Ownership will not be easy, but worth it and fulfilling. Here is why you might need a coach and partner on this journey.

Clarity and Direction

Since coaches have been working with different people already, they are considered experts and can steer the focus on where you really want and need to be. With their guidance, a clear path should be discussed in detail and more importantly, discussing ‘HOW’ we can get there.

Personalized Guidance

Every single person’s goal might be the same on the surface but lots of components will always be unique. A coach provides personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs. We offer insights and perspectives based on their expertise and experience in the field. We will listen to your concerns, offer objective advice, and assist you in making informed decisions.

Networking and Opportunities

Coaches often have extensive professional networks and can introduce you to relevant contacts in the industry. We can help you navigate the job market, connect with potential business partners, and uncover hidden opportunities. Their connections and industry knowledge can expand your professional
network as well and open doors for advancement.

Transition Support

Whether you’re changing careers or starting a new venture, a coach can provide invaluable support during transitions. We can help you navigate the complexities of change, develop a transition plan, and manage the mental and emotional aspects of career transitions. The final decision should ultimately
align with your own values and goals.

Remember, a coach is there to guide you, but the ownership of your decision ultimately rests with you. A coach can provide guidance, tools, and resources, which will help you solidify the confidence in the decision you make. We are here to partner with you and empower you to act and make decisions aligned
with your goals and aspirations

Anna Brambilla,  https://entrepreneurssource.com/

Embracing Diversity: The Power of Inclusion

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In today’s ever-changing, dynamic, and interconnected world, diversity has emerged as a fundamental pillar for fostering creativity, encouraging innovation, driving market growth, and achieving sustainable success. In this current climate, society seems not only ready for progress, but demanding of it. From leaders and employees to customers and shareholders, it is crucial that businesses, organizations, and companies of all sizes make a concerted and consistent effort to embrace and celebrate all types of diversity.

Diversity

Diversity in the workplace refers to the presence of people with a range of abilities, talents, genders, sexual orientation, races, ethnicities, religions, ages, and socioeconomic diversity. By being inclusive of all types of diversity, businesses can foster a more welcoming and productive environment for everyone.

Leadership

Leaders make sustainable change by leading by example. By building a robust company culture that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), leaders create a workplace – like one of Career Connectors’ corporate partners, Achieve – that offers team members the freedom to be their authentic selves and encourages other diverse applicants to apply for rewarding careers at their companies. Leadership helps craft the level of loyalty and reliability of their workforce. Quite simply, it starts at the top.

The Power of a Multifaceted Workforce

One of the most significant advantages of promoting diversity within the workplace is the ability to harness the power of a multifaceted workforce. By nurturing an inclusive environment that values individuals from various backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, organizations can tap into an infinite wealth of ideas and insights. Diverse teams foster a culture of innovation, enabling the generation of groundbreaking solutions and novel, creative approaches to problem-solving. This inclusive approach encourages workers to enthusiastically contribute their unique talents and skills, which leads to increased productivity and a competitive edge in the market.

Enhanced Employee Engagement and Retention

When employees feel included, respected, and valued for their individuality, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. Inclusive organizations foster a sense of belonging, where individuals can be their true selves in the workplace without fear of judgment or discrimination. This leads to higher levels of job satisfaction, increased morale and productivity, and improved overall well-being. Additionally, companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion are more likely to attract top talent and experience higher staff retention rates, reducing recruitment costs, and benefiting from a stable, experienced workforce.

Appealing to Shareholders and Investors

Shareholders and investors play a crucial role in the growth and success of many businesses. By prioritizing diversity and inclusion, companies send a powerful message to these stakeholders about their commitment to social responsibility and sustainability. Research consistently shows that diverse companies tend to outperform their competitors financially. Investors recognize that organizations with diverse leadership teams are better equipped to understand the needs and preferences of a broad customer base, ultimately leading to improved decision-making and long-term profitability.

Delivering Outstanding Customer Experiences

Customers are increasingly seeking businesses and brands that align with their values and cater to their diverse needs. By embracing inclusivity, organizations can create an environment that fosters trust, loyalty, and strong, trustworthy relationships. A diverse workforce allows for a deeper understanding of customer demographics, cultural nuances, and preferences, resulting in more accurate market research, targeted marketing strategies, and customized product offerings. By championing diversity, businesses can ensure that their customer base feels seen, heard, and respected, ultimately driving customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

Diversity Leads to Success

Embracing diversity is a strategic imperative for long-term success and sustainability in today’s global marketplace. Diversity is an essential ingredient for a business to be successful, though it takes time, concerted effort, and a strong commitment. Such organizational change requires strategic leadership and putting measurable DEI initiatives into place. However, it’s important to note that the benefits are worth it and the effort often leads to companies enjoying a competitive advantage.