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These expert tips will help you work a room with ease.

Networking Know-How

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Know your game. “You have to find the type of networking event that is conducive to your style,” says

Beth Buelow, a speaker, author and coach. “Happy hours are my worst nightmare, but small, structured events that take place before or after a speaker or workshop—those all work for me.”

Do your research. Find out who will be at the event beforehand, and make it your goal to initiate conversations with at least three people you want to connect with. Be ready with questions and conversation topics that are relevant to the industry.

Dress the part. Even if this is a casual event, remember that you’re a professional, and you want to be remembered that way. It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Be prepared. Bring twice as many business cards as you think you’ll need, plus a pen and paper to jot down notes during the event.

Be approachable. “The more closed off you are, the less you gain personally and professionally. And the more willing you are to take risks and start discussions, the more you gain,” says

Stephanie Berenbaum, co-founder of Fabulous and Frugal. Read more from Citi’s Women & Co.

Listen up. Start by helping potential business contacts achieve their goals before yours – connect them with your

contacts, share your knowledge, or even contribute to a project. This selfless attitude will be rewarded when you need

something in return.” Read more from LinkedIn

Ask for help. If you’re an introvert, touch base with people you know who are attending the event and ask them to introduce you to a few people, suggests LinkedIn member Helene Clark.

Tout your personal brand. “A personal brand is the synthesis of a person’s signature strengths, core values, reputation, image, and key differentiators,” says Diana Baranello, President of Coaching for Distinction. Everyone’s brand is as unique as a fingerprint—no two

are alike.” Read more from Citi’s Women & Co.

Know your goals. Where do you want to end up in your career? How do you want to make yourself more marketable for that goal job in the next year? How do you want to make yourself more marketable for that goal job in the next three years?” Read more from Citi’s Women & Co.

Keep an open mind. Connections can come from unexpected places. Don’t discount someone who doesn’t have direct or immediate relevance for you – if they’re an interesting and successful person, they can open

doors to new opportunities down the road. Read more from LinkedIn

Know when to go. Not every connection you make is going to be a fruitful one. When you sense that you’re

stuck in a conversation that’s going nowhere, politely extract yourself and move on to someone else.

Be strategic. Don’t try to meet everyone in the room. As Nicki Gilmour, CEO of Evolved Employer says, “Focus on the quality of your network, not just on the quantity of people in your network.”

Read more from Citi’s Women & Co.

Follow Up. Exchanging business cards is a great start, but it’s only the beginning. After the event, keep the relationship going by connecting on LinkedIn, sending a nice-to-meet-you email, and reaching out for a for a one-on-one meeting.

Additional Networking ResourcesRead more from LinkedIn• 15 Small Business Tips to Becoming a Networking Pro • Networking for Introverts• Taking My Online Professional Network Offline• 4 Ways to Stand Out on LinkedIn• Top 10 Job Search Success Tips

Read more from Citi’s Women & Co.• Raise Your Visibility at Work: 5 Things You Can Do Right Now • 5 Tips for Networking Nirvana• Creating the Change You Want in Your Career• What is a Personal Brand?

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