10 Tips on Networking Etiquette

1. Don’t just eat or talk with your friends: Whether you’re attending a networking luncheon or dinner or a reception and even if the food is amazingly delicious, don’t just focus on eating. And don’t just chat with your classmates or coworkers.

2. Don’t be rude: Don’t chew and talk at the same time, don’t speak or laugh loudly, and don’t tell jokes that involve American cultural no-nos, such as age, sexual or political orientation, financial status, race, or religion.

3. How to dress: Don’t wear your everyday clothes. Men should wear a suit and tie OR slacks, a shirt, a jacket or blazer, and possibly a tie. Women should wear a suit OR slacks or a skirt, a shirt or sweater, and a jacket or blazer. Leave the T-shirts and low-cut blouses at home. Of course, no matter what you wear, your clothes should be clean and pressed.

4. How to approach VIP: Join the group of people who are surrounding this individual and gently (not with your elbows!) edge your way so that you’re closer and closer to him. To break into the conversation with this VIP, you can either join in the ongoing discussion OR wait for a pause and then speak.

5. How to shake hands with VIP: Don’t grab and squeeze the VIP’s hand tightly. Also don’t pump it up and down. Extend your hand to shake—that’s a signal you want to meet and speak—and shake hands as you normally would.

6. How to exchange business cards: If you shake with your right hand, give the VIP or other person your card with your left hand. If the person you’re meeting says that he didn’t bring his cards or has run out, take one of your cards and a pen and ask him to write his contact information on the back of yours.

7. Don’t monopolize VIP: If you do so, other attendees may resent this and interrupt you. Once you’ve exchanged business cards and the VIP has said that you can contact him, you can end your conversation—unless, of course, he asks you a question.

8. How to finish your conversation: “Mr. Smith, I’ve enjoyed meeting you and look forward to communicating further via email.” Sometimes, your conversation is finished by someone else. For example, if your university’s president walks over to speak with this VIP, you won’t have to finish your conversation. Your university’s president will finish it for you. In any case, don’t overstay your welcome. If you do, you’ll make a bad impression.

9. Take full advantage of networking opportunities: Speak with your professor or boss, your former professor or former boss, and other attendees. More importantly, meet people you don’t know so that you make new contacts. They might help you advance your career.

10. Send a follow-up note promptly: If you said that you’d do so and don’t—or do so weeks later—don’t be surprised if this person isn’t willing to help you.See “Write follow-up email”.