Neil Smith via Compfight
When you are interacting with people in business, whether it be an interview or networking event, it is important to ensure that you are memorable. After all, the goal of networking is to be, Front of Mind. Here are four strategies for engaging with people in a meaningful and memorable way.
1. Radiate Energy and Enthusiasm – It is well known in the sales world that if you want to influence someone, your energy level must be higher than theirs. With that in mind, it is beneficial in interviews to talk about the aspects of your career that you are really passionate about. The person on the other side of the table will feel your enthusiasm and will be more likely to remember you when it comes time to make a hiring decision.
2. Be Interesting – Naturally, people will be more likely to remember you if you are intriguing, and one way to accomplish that is to have a unique point-of-view, or way of thinking. In Keith Ferrazzi’s incredible book about building relationships, Never Eat Alone, he recommends exposing yourself to unusual experiences, which will in turn give you memorable stories to tell. I once met a man at a networking event who told me his hobby is bee keeping, and sure enough, two years later I still remember him.
3. Tap Into Emotion – Emotion is what moves us to action and prompts us to help people. In the marketing world, advertisers aim to tap into prospect’s emotions to make a long lasting imprint on their mind. If you can make the person you are engaging with feel strongly then they’re more likely to remember you, which is exactly what you want to do when networking.
4. Ask High Quality Questions – A simple but effective tactic for separating yourself from the crowd when networking is to ask people high quality strategic questions that require a thoughtful response while demonstrating your industry knowledge. Great questions cannot be answered by reading a company’s website for twenty minutes or quickly browsing someone’s LinkedIn page. Asking questions about industry trends, and asking someone for their opinion on a theory that is critical to your field, are both great ways to create a lasting memory.
When brainstorming ways to be memorable, imagine you are in the position of the person you are meeting with. If you were a hiring manager conducting interviews for a position, what could a candidate do to capture your attention and intrigue you?
