​This is actually a fairly common question — but there’s no simple answer. As with many job search-related issues, the answer is: it depends.
 
The first thing to consider when deciding whether or not to include a short-term position on your résumé is whether it was planned as a short-term position, or if it simply ended up that way.
 
If the job was a contract (or a contract-to-hire role that didn’t get picked up), the usual answer is: Yes, include the job on your résumé. Make sure to describe it as such: “Hired for temporary, three-month role during maternity leave of key staffer” or “Contract-to-hire position ended prematurely due to termination of company relationship with client.”
 
Hiring managers are often sympathetic to short-term engagements when the circumstances are explained.
 
If the position wasn’t meant to be short-term, it may be wise to find a way to make it seem like it wasn’t as short. You could include it on the résumé but list your experience by year, instead of month/year to month/year.
 
For example, list the experience as Bumblebee Incorporated (2019) vs. Bumblebee Incorporated (March 2019 – August 2019).
 
Also consider whether you can “group” the role with other positions. For example, if you had several short-term roles — even if they were not technically temporary jobs — think about whether you can combine them into a single description.
 
For example, if you had a sales role with company ABC for eight months but left for a better opportunity with company XYZ — but only worked there for a year — consider listing the positions jointly as “Sales Representative, ABC/XYZ” with the inclusive dates. This only works, however, if the titles and work responsibilities are very similar.
 
If the job wasn’t intended to be short-term — but ended up that way because you were fired, or you quit because you didn’t like the job/company/people, consider leaving it off. But even in this situation, there are exceptions.
 
For example, did you learn any new skills in this role, or use any skills that aren’t described elsewhere on your résumé? If so, you may want to include the position so that you have the opportunity to showcase those skills.
 
Did you work for a name-brand company (for example, a well-known startup or Fortune 500 company) or did you work with a name-brand client in the scope of your work in that role? You may want to include the position on the résumé to increase the search engine optimization (SEO) of the résumé for applicant tracking systems — or simply to impress a Hiring Manager.
 
Will having this position on your résumé help position you for a career change? Even if your time in the position wasn’t long, if having that experience on there it helps you bridge the transition from one career to the next, consider including it.
 
Finally, is this role your only work experience relevant to your job target? For example, if you are a recent graduate but were “first in and first out” at your first job, consider including it if you were on the job more than 90 days. (Often the most recent person hired is the first person let go, and most hiring managers recognize this.) Having some experience — even short-term experience — is better than having no experience.
 
And remember, if you were laid off because of the economy, loss of a key company customer, or another reason unrelated to your performance, be sure to communicate that information in your Cover Letter.
 
If, on the other hand, the role doesn’t fit in the narrative of where you’ve been in your career — and, more importantly, where you’re going — consider omitting it. Sometimes you take a job because you think it will open doors or lead you to a new path, and it doesn’t end up that way. If including the job on the résumé will raise more questions than it will answer, consider not mentioning it on the résumé. Especially if omitting it wouldn’t cause a significant time gap on the résumé.
 
For example, Ted left the military after a career in naval intelligence and took a job at a startup software company, working in their Security Department. After being on the job for a few weeks, he decided that the laid-back company culture wasn’t suited to his personality and he left the role. Instead, he went to work for a defense contractor, and has been there for two years and has now decided to look for a new job. Ted may choose to omit the position at the startup from his résumé.
 
Remember, your résumé is not an obituary that lists every job you’ve ever held. Instead, it’s a marketing document whose content should support the job target you’re seeking.
 
Consequently, you may choose to only include the most recent (up to about 15 years on average, and no more than about 20 years in exceptional cases) work experience on your resume. Not only can this help reduce the likelihood of age discrimination, but in a world where things change at a rapid pace, your older experience may no longer be relevant. You likely have newer skills, experience, and projects that better reflect where you are going, not where you have been.
 
However, you should not leave a job off your résumé that you held for any significant length of time (say, more than six months) just because you were fired (even for performance) because you don’t want to talk about it. Instead, be prepared to address the reason for your departure (including taking responsibility for shortcomings in your performance) and being able to describe how you took corrective action to ensure the situation doesn’t happen again.
 
For example, if you are sales professional who was let go because you missed two consecutive quarters of sales quotas, you might include the role on your résumé (especially if you were selling a desirable product or working with high-profile clients) but be ready to explain that you didn’t have the depth of product knowledge that you should have had in order to be successful in that position. This is a particularly effective strategy to explain why you left your last job, if you have been successful in previous sales roles, but just not in this one.
 
One important thing to note: If you are asked to complete a job application that requires you to list all positions you’ve held (read the application directions carefully!), you should include each and every role — no matter how short — particularly if you’re required to sign the application (and, therefore, attest to the truthfulness of the information included).
 
But on the résumé, you can decide which positions to include and exclude, and even how they are arranged.
 
Determining what to include — and what to exclude — on your résumé to maximize your chances of getting an interview is one of the important functions a professional résumé writer can assist you with. Having the guidance and experience of a professional to help you navigate your job search can save you time and money, landing you that dream job faster, and potentially even at a higher salary than you were expecting.

Do you wonder how to use LinkedIn TO ADD VALUE to your career or job search? Do you know how to use it to lead you to results?

LinkedIn can be an excellent resource for new business development or for job searching. Following a recent blog post about LinkedIn Settings in 2019, this post is an infographic on How to use to LinkedIn for job searching or for new business development purposes.

When it comes to posting your resume online, your privacy is of utmost importance. It may be a good idea to learn how to protect your privacy on LinkedIn as well.
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Follow the steps in the infographic above and you will discover an amazing professional platform to catapult your career and you will broaden your perspective about this great professional resource; plus, it’s free! 

• Stay neutral. Refuse to choose sides even if you’re friendlier with one of the parties involved. In fact, that may be a valid reason to work harder at overcoming any bias so you can interact effectively with both colleagues.

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• Listen. Demonstrate your willingness to listen to different points of view. Giving each party an opportunity to vent can be constructive as long as you watch out for any signs that it’s developing into chronic complaining.

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• Explain the impact. Your coworkers may be so caught up in their struggles that they fail to realize how they’re affecting the rest of the office. Letting them know how others feel could motivate them to settle their differences.

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• Collaborate on solutions. Unsolicited advice can be tricky. Ask your coworkers if they want your suggestions. Offer to help them brainstorm their own options for how they can turn the situation around.
  

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• Follow up. To create lasting peace, keep your eyes on the situation. Previous differences may spring back up in different forms.  

On the other hand, you may prefer to watch a drama on TV instead of dealing with it in the next cubicle. As long as you’re not in a supervisory position, you have alternatives to playing peacekeeper.
 
Consider these ideas: 

1. Document activities. Office conflicts can muddle communications and pull you in different directions. Be sure to create a paper trail and keep others informed of your activities, so you’re less likely to be held responsible for events beyond your control.
   
   
2. Consult your colleagues. If you’re confused about what to do, try to talk with someone you trust. There may be others who share your concerns, and you’ll benefit from putting your heads together.
   
   
3. Avoid gossip. Naturally, discussing your coworkers can be a sensitive subject. Ask yourself if what you’re saying is true and helpful.
   
   
4. Approach a third party. If the office is becoming seriously divided, you may need to report the matter to your boss or to HR. If so, stick to the facts and make it clear that you’re eager to do your part to make positive changes.
   
   
5. Encourage morale. While some differences are more difficult to reconcile than others, building team spirit can heal minor riffs and prevent others from developing. Propose activities that bring the company together, like group volunteer projects and occasional parties.
   
   
6. Learn from experience. Keep in mind that conflict can be beneficial in the long run. Coworkers who learn to overcome their differences may form stronger bonds than those who haven’t faced any significant challenges. Conflicts can also teach us more about ourselves and clarify our values.

 
Office squabbles may sometimes be inevitable, but you can maintain healthy boundaries. Try to empathize with your coworkers while continuing to focus on your own career goals. 

I promise to keep you informed about what I need from you — and, at the same time, I expect you to provide responses. I use the information you give me to create your résumé, so the better the information I get from you, the better your new résumé will be! Also, please be honest with me in all the details of your career that you share with me. I will not knowingly put false information on your résumé, and you shouldn’t either.

Having a specific job target will help me write a more effective résumé to showcase your skills, experience, and accomplishments. If you ask me to write a “general résumé,” it will not be as successful as a résumé that is written for a specific job target. Related to this: If I write you a résumé for a sales position, don’t use that résumé to apply for a different type of job. (Or at least discuss it with me before you do.)3. Meet Your Deadlines.If I give you action items to work on — with a timeframe to return it to me — please meet that deadline. If your timeline for needing your résumé changes — for example, there is a specific opportunity you want to respond to, please let me know, but there will likely be a fee associated with rush requests. And let’s close out your project on a timely basis. The sooner we finalize your project, the sooner you can start using your new documents!

If I give you action items to work on — with a timeframe to return it to me — please meet that deadline. If your timeline for needing your résumé changes — for example, there is a specific opportunity you want to respond to, please let me know, but there will likely be a fee associated with rush requests. And let’s close out your project on a timely basis. The sooner we finalize your project, the sooner you can start using your new documents!

I’m not going to include every detail about your life and work history on your résumé, especially if you have certain jobs that aren’t relevant to your career target. These details are important to who you are, but they are not necessarily important in this résumé for this job target. I will be selective in what information I include, because your résumé tells a story about who you are and what you can do.

Your new résumé is a customized document developed just for you. Allowing someone else to use your résumé (format, design, and/or wording) may even dilute its effectiveness for you — especially if you “lend it” to a co-worker or colleague. If someone admires your résumé, send him or her my way and I will create an equally awesome document customized for their job search!

We might need to make some changes to make your résumé more effective, or I might be able to share some strategies to help you increase the number of interviews and job offers you receive.

Sometimes I don’t hear from clients until they need an update to their résumé when it’s time to look for a new job. But I want to hear from you when you get a job offer. We’ll celebrate together!

​The job search has changed over the past 10 years. So have fashion trends. But one thing that hasn’t changed in the job search process is that people will judge you based on first impressions.
 
What you wear to an interview may have changed — in some situations — but the need to dress appropriately for the interview has not.
 
It used to be that a suit (for men) and a dress (for women) was required attire for a job interview. Now, wearing a suit might actually work against you — for example, it might signal to a prospective employer that you don’t understand the company culture. (Particularly if the employee dress code leans more towards jeans and sneakers than ties and loafers.)
 
While it’s important to feel comfortable in what you wear to an interview, you don’t want to look too comfortable. Little details about your attire will likely be noted by the interviewer and can make the difference between getting a second interview (or job offer) or not.
 
Dressing appropriately for an interview demonstrates that you’ve done your research and that you pay attention to detail. Just like you would study the company’s website ahead of time to be prepared for a job interview, studying the company culture — especially as it relates to employee attire — demonstrates your interest in working for the company.
 
You’ve heard the old saying, “Dress for success.” Nowhere is that more relevant than in a job interview.
 
Don’t give the HR person or hiring manager a reason to rule you out because you were overdressed, underdressed, or sloppily dressed.
 
The hiring manager can form an impression about you in the first five seconds of meeting you. Dressing appropriately conveys a very different impression than an impression made with poorly hemmed pants and shoes that are falling apart.
 
It’s very difficult to change a first impression.
 
Even if your interview is a virtual interview (telephone or video — i.e., Skype), you should still “dress to impress.” Don’t make the mistake of only dressing your top half for a video interview either. There are dozens of horror stories about having to stand up suddenly or change positions and your suit-on-top-shorts-on-the-bottom look is revealed.
 
Dressing appropriately can also give your confidence a boost. Getting a compliment about your appearance from friends or family before an interview can put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. On the other hand, if you are worried about a loose sole on your shoe, it can distract you.
 
The right attire can also affect how credible you are perceived to be.
 

​You’ve been told “not to judge a book by its cover,” but the reality is that we constantly judge things by their appearances. It’s why “curb appeal” is so important in real estate.
 
Clothes can make an impression — for better or worse. But more important, the right clothes can convey authority. Clothing not only communicates to others how you want to want to appear, but may also impact the way you think about yourself.
 
These concepts were reinforced by a research study. 

​The Washington Post also reported on March 10, 2012 that in a study conducted by the Kellogg School of Medicine, researchers found students did better on tests that measured accuracy and attention span when they wore a white lab coat. The lab coat — long associated with scientists and medical doctors — apparently leads students to aspire to live up to it. Students wearing lab coats performed better in concentration tests and were more engaged in the activity.
 
While no one is suggesting you wear a white lab coat to a job interview (especially if you’re not in the medical or scientific field!), this research validates the need to wear appropriate clothing to both make you feel more confident and reinforce the confidence of the interviewer that you are the right candidate for the position.

If you are job hunting while you are currently employed, you might find yourself wondering what to do if you have a job interview scheduled for a day you have to work. How do you dress for an interview when the interview attire is significantly different from what you wear to work in your existing job? You don’t want to show up for work in a suit when you normally come to work dressed in khaki pants and a button-up shirt.
 
Instead, plan to change clothes before your interview — but don’t change at your current workplace or at the company where you are interviewing. Instead, change somewhere in between — preferably some place that you will have access to a full-length mirror so you can double-check every detail of your appearance. If you don’t have time to go home, a mall or clothing store can be options. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to change and still get to the interview a few minutes early.
 
And don’t forget to change back into your regular work clothes before you go back to the office. For this reason, you may want to schedule your job interview towards the end of the workday so you don’t have to change clothes again. (This is a good idea anyway so you don’t feel rushed in the job interview.) 

​The job search has changed over the past 10 years. So have fashion trends. But one thing that hasn’t changed in the job search process is that people will judge you based on first impressions.
 
What you wear to an interview may have changed — in some situations — but the need to dress appropriately for the interview has not.
 
It used to be that a suit (for men) and a dress (for women) was required attire for a job interview. Now, wearing a suit might actually work against you — for example, it might signal to a prospective employer that you don’t understand the company culture. (Particularly if the employee dress code leans more towards jeans and sneakers than ties and loafers.)
 
While it’s important to feel comfortable in what you wear to an interview, you don’t want to look too comfortable. Little details about your attire will likely be noted by the interviewer and can make the difference between getting a second interview (or job offer) or not.
 
Dressing appropriately for an interview demonstrates that you’ve done your research and that you pay attention to detail. Just like you would study the company’s website ahead of time to be prepared for a job interview, studying the company culture — especially as it relates to employee attire — demonstrates your interest in working for the company.
 
You’ve heard the old saying, “Dress for success.” Nowhere is that more relevant than in a job interview.
 
Don’t give the HR person or hiring manager a reason to rule you out because you were overdressed, underdressed, or sloppily dressed.
 
The hiring manager can form an impression about you in the first five seconds of meeting you. Dressing appropriately conveys a very different impression than an impression made with poorly hemmed pants and shoes that are falling apart.
 
It’s very difficult to change a first impression.
 
Even if your interview is a virtual interview (telephone or video — i.e., Skype), you should still “dress to impress.” Don’t make the mistake of only dressing your top half for a video interview either. There are dozens of horror stories about having to stand up suddenly or change positions and your suit-on-top-shorts-on-the-bottom look is revealed.
 
Dressing appropriately can also give your confidence a boost. Getting a compliment about your appearance from friends or family before an interview can put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. On the other hand, if you are worried about a loose sole on your shoe, it can distract you.
 
The right attire can also affect how credible you are perceived to be.

• ​Ask someone who works there. If you already know someone who works for the company, reach out and ask. If you’re not sure if you’re already connected to a current employee, do a search on LinkedIn or type the company name in the search bar on Facebook. On Facebook, look at who “Likes” the page and click on the profile to see their employer information, if they provided it. On LinkedIn, type in the company name in the search box and it will show you your connections — and shared connections — who are currently or previously affiliated with the company. You can also reach out to the hiring manager and ask about appropriate interview attire.
• Conduct a visual inspection. If you don’t have an inside source — and don’t want to ask the hiring manager directly — go see for yourself! If you arrive at the beginning or end of the workday (or around lunchtime), you should be able to get an idea of dress code by seeing what people are wearing as they enter or exit the building. Be careful, however, if you use this method, as some companies have events like “Casual Fridays” that may throw off your investigation.
• Snoop on social media. If your prospective employer has social media accounts, browse the photo gallery for photos showing people at work. However, make sure you’re viewing an actual photo from the company, and not a stock (purchased) photo. And, as with the “Casual Friday” caution above, make sure the photo is representative of a “day in the life” of the company employee, and not a special event.

 
Once you have a general idea of dress code, you need to decide how to apply that information to what you’re actually going to wear. One guideline for interview attire is to “Dress One Step Higher.” Once you know what an employee in the position you’re applying for would normally wear to work, elevate it one notch. So, for example, if the typical employee wears khaki pants and a button-up shirt, you might wear dress slacks, a blazer, and a shirt with a tie. Wearing a suit to a company with a less formal dress code would look out of place. This type of attire is usually referred to as “business casual.”
 
Business casual attire is appropriate for interviews where a full suit would be overkill. For men, choose a dark, single color or lightly patterned sports coat or blazer, solid color dress slacks or trousers, a collared shirt, complementary tie, and dark-colored dress shoes. Socks should closely match the trouser color. Although the word “casual” is in the description, khaki pants are too casual. For women, a pair of black dress slacks can be worn with a nice sweater and/or button-up shirt or blouse, or button-up shirt and blazer or jacket, and dress shoes or low-heeled shoes. A modest dress (knee length or longer in an interesting color or a muted pattern) is also an option.
 
When interviewing for a job in retail, food service, or customer service, the right interview attire might lean more towards “casual” than “business casual.” In this situation, you’re not wearing a jacket or necktie, but the outfit still has to look professional. A collared shirt (with no tie) or polo shirt and slacks or neat khaki pants are appropriate. Men can wear a jacket or blazer but can take it off if it seems too formal. For women, a dark blazer with a simple blouse or button-up shirt can be worn with khaki pants or even dark-wash jeans if they are well fit, with no rips or tears. Shoes should always be closed-toed — no sandals or flip-flops.
 
If you’re interviewing for a job that requires you to wear a business suit every day, however, that’s how you’d dress for the job interview. This attire is appropriate for most executive roles as well as positions in law, banking, and finance. In this case, men would wear a conservative suit with a white or solid color shirt, tie, dress socks, and well-shined shoes. Women would wear a suit (either a pantsuit or skirt suit) or a conservative dress with panty hose and dress shoes. You can offset a black or dark suit with a pop of color in the form of a brightly colored shirt or blouse. However, it goes almost without saying that women should avoid short dresses and low-cut, revealing necklines when choosing interview attire.
 
For both men and women, avoid anything too bright or flashy. Don’t let your clothes be a distraction. You want the focus to be on you, not what you’re wearing. Be remembered for your interview answers, not your interview attire.

• Do take it easy on perfume and cologne (or skip it altogether). You never know when someone might be allergic.
• Do pay attention to your shoes — because your interviewer will! (Pay special attention to heels and soles.)
• Do dial down the accessories — avoid flashy jewelry and large sunglasses. Women, only wear one ring per hand. If you have a lot of piercings or earrings, take out all but one of them so they aren’t a distraction.
• Do your best to cover any tattoos.
• Do focus on fit. Items that are too big or too small or too loose or too tight will have you focusing on what you’re wearing, not what you’re talking about with the interviewer. Try out an outfit before you wear it to a job interview. Make sure it’s comfortable to sit in as well as stand and walk in.

Don’t get too crazy with colors or patterns.

Don’t wear socks that are too short with your pants. Socks should cover at least half the leg so that when you sit down, no leg shows.

Don’t forget your hair! Your hairstyle should be professional and shouldn’t distract the interviewer. 

Men:

• Dirty and wrinkled clothing that doesn’t fit properly
• A shirt that is too tight at the collar or around the waist
• Dirty hands, nails, or hair
• Dirty shoes, or shoes that don’t match the outfit
• Wrong style clothes
• Piercings, noticeable tattoos, inappropriate hair color

 
Women:

• Too much or inappropriate jewelry
• Too much/too little makeup
• Scuffed or inappropriate shoes
• Clothing that is inappropriate for the workplace
• Ill-fitting clothing
• Piercings, noticeable tattoos, inappropriate hair color

​Normally, when you are setting up your LinkedIn privacy settings, you’re selecting the audience you want to be able to see your LinkedIn profile. But there is one new LinkedIn setting that you will want to select to ensure that LinkedIn doesn’t share your content.

When Microsoft purchased LinkedIn in 2016, the integration of the social media platform with Microsoft’s products was alluded to in the announcement. In an internal memo published on TechCrunch.com, LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner identified some specific areas where the two companies would work together. These included:
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• LinkedIn identity and network in Microsoft Outlook and the Office Suite.
• Enabling members drafting résumés in Word to update their profiles, and discover and apply to jobs on LinkedIn.

With the announcement of a new Microsoft Word feature called “Resume Assistant,” that integration is becoming even more apparent. When this feature is enabled, it shows what other people in similar roles say about themselves in their LinkedIn profiles, allowing users of the word processing software to incorporate that content directly into the résumé they are creating for themselves.

While it has always been possible to view profiles of individuals in similar roles for inspiration when constructing your résumé, LinkedIn Headline, and profile content, this new feature allows users to directly copy content from other peoples’ LinkedIn profiles. And, in fact, it is encouraged by Microsoft/LinkedIn.

Fortunately, with the introduction of this new feature, LinkedIn has also recently added a new privacy setting to allow you to omit your LinkedIn profile from showing up in Microsoft Word’s Resume Assistant. Disabling the sharing function makes it harder for others to “plagiarize” your LinkedIn content — whether you wrote it yourself, or had assistance from a professional résumé writer.
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One of the best things you can do to keep your content from being plagiarized is to make it uniquely about you and branding yourself so distinctively that your content couldn’t possibly be used to describe anyone else but you!

The default setting is “Yes” — “Allow Microsoft Word to display work experience descriptions from your profile to users of Resume Assistant.”

Here is LinkedIn’s explanation of the Resume Assistant integration.

Note: Even though you have disabled the sharing of your content with the Resume Assistant, LinkedIn’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service explicitly warn users that the information that you share can be seen, copied, and used by other members.
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One of the best things you can do to keep your content from being plagiarized is to make it uniquely about you — branding yourself so distinctively that your content couldn’t possibly be used to describe anyone else but you!

Few things are more difficult than change. Change presents surprising situations and forces us into uncomfortable situations. If we are not prepared to handle challenging situations, we will struggle with change. This guide can help in stepping out of one's comfort zone and in overcoming personal challenges.

It’s rare these days, but there are some individuals who have spent their entire career working for one employer. While you think that would be sign of reliability and dedication, many hiring executives have mixed opinions about such candidates.
Dispel their doubts by tweaking your resume and approach.

• Highlight your promotions. When you’ve had a long tenure, recruiters may wonder why you didn’t seek or find a better opportunity. Showing that you’ve been promoted proves you’ve advanced during your time with one employer.

• Describe different responsibilities. Even if you lack promotions, you can show that you have managed a variety of responsibilities. Talk about all your skills from budgeting to project management.

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• Emphasize achievements. Devote most of your resume to your accomplishments. Write a bulleted list of how you enhanced quality, saved money, and increased efficiency.

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• Use subheadings. Listing everything under one company could get monotonous. Break it up into categories. You can divide your history by skills or by different positions you’ve held.

1. Volunteer in your community. There are many ways to get wider experience, even while you’ve been holding down the same job. Write a newsletter for your local historical society. Help organize a fundraiser at your church.

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1. Check out professional associations. Join the local chapter of a professional association in your field and start building your network.

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1. Look for contract work. Take on individual assignments you can complete in your free time. Get referrals by word of mouth or advertise your services through a website. There are opportunities for every skill from graphic design to horse training. You may want to check your employee handbook first to be sure you comply with any pertinent company policies.

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1. Network vigorously. Networking is the key to any job search. Maintain contacts inside and outside of your company. Keep an eye out for opportunities to help others. You’ll create a circle of people you can call on for assistance in the future.

• Continue your education. Recruiters may also have questions about how well you will be able to adapt to a new environment. Ongoing training and coursework confirms that you are open to new things. Study the latest computer programs or learn a foreign language.

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• Give your reason for leaving. Asking why you are leaving is a standard interview question. Others tend to be curious when you’re making a switch after ten or more years on the job. Rehearse a statement that reflects well on you and suits the position you’re applying for.

 

• Explain your goals. Similarly, your new employer may wonder how ambitious you are. Be prepared to discuss your career objectives. Explain how you arrived at this stage in your life and outline your plans for the future.

 

• Be enthusiastic about change. Finally, there may be a perception that you’re a little stodgy. You can overcome that view by letting your new boss know that you embrace change. Arrive at your interview prepared with anecdotes about how you welcomed a new supervisor or created a pilot program to hire summer interns from a local high school.

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When you meet a potential contact at a business event, you know what to do. You deliver your elevator pitch and set up a time to talk more. However, when you run into someone interesting at a social gathering, things can become more complicated.
 
While funerals and 12-step meetings are awkward places to do business, there are plenty of occasions that fall somewhere in between. How can you take advantage of opportunities at parties or your child’s baseball game without coming across as being too pushy?
 
Discover the secret to networking at social events. Use these tips to make connections that will help you to advance your career.

• ASK YOUR FRIENDS. If you and someone you just met have contacts in common, you may be able to rely on them to help you stay in touch. That could even include children and pets if they go to the same schools and dog parks.

 

• EXPLORE MUTUAL INTERESTS. Your initial conversation may also reveal areas of common ground. Building relationships is often most successful when you have regular interactions like attending the same gym or volunteering at the same community center.

 

• RESEARCH ONLINE. Researching someone online can be constructive as long as you respect their privacy. Learn more about them from public sources like their company website, LinkedIn profile, and Alignable, just to name a couple.

 

• EXCHANGE CONTACT INFORMATION COURTEOUSLY. Before you hand out any business cards, assess the situation to see if you’re going too far too fast. If your new contact seems receptive, you might offer your phone number or email and suggest a casual coffee appointment. 

• PRACTICE REGULARLY. Networking skills can be developed. Chatting with other parents at the park is a low-risk way to train for more challenging professional communications.

• FOCUS ON QUALITY. Networking is usually more rewarding when you concentrate on who you’re talking with now instead of trying to work the whole room. A small number of mutually supportive relationships is more valuable than having a lot of superficial contacts.

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• CIRCULATE MORE. It will be easier to allow relationships to develop gradually and naturally if you feel like you have an abundance of opportunities. Experiment with accepting more invitations and hosting your own gatherings through platforms such as Meetup or Eventbrite. See what a difference it can make in widening your circle.

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• RESPECT BOUNDARIES. Be sensitive to the purpose of any event and the comfort level of others. Honoring their needs will help you to make a positive impression. 

​Strengthen your network by learning how to use social events to build relationships. You’ll be helping yourself and others as long as you take a genuine and generous approach.