How can I benefit from conferences?

Whether you are looking for a new position or to move up the corporate ladder, networking with other people in your industry is a must. At any given time, about 80% of all available jobs are unadvertised and the power of networking cannot be underestimated.

But not everyone is comfortable schmoozing in a room full of strangers and too many people fail to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.

Here are some tips on how to get the most out of networking at a conference:

Find common ground
Networking with industry colleagues is unlike mixing with professionals at non-industry-specific conferences. Attendees will be more welcoming and will spend more time talking with you because there is that connection. Try to find out recent projects they've been working on and try and get introductions from suppliers or past employers – it makes it much easier to break the ice.

Be assertive
To some, networking can be a daunting experience on a par with speed-dating. But the more events you attend the easier it becomes. Don't be afraid to promote yourself and give the impression that you are confident.

Stick to the 80/20 rule – you do the talking for 20% of the time and allow others to talk for the remaining 80%. This should be relatively easy because most people love to talk about themselves. Take an interest in the people you meet, ask questions and allow them to talk about their business – they may alert you to new job opportunities in their organisation.

Always have an end goal in sight for each conversation and don't be afraid to make your excuses and move on if it's not going in a fruitful direction..

Use your business cards
Always carry more business cards than you think you'll need as it's better to have too many than not being able to give your details to an important contact at the end of the day. Give a card to every person that you speak with and get theirs too – the more cards you collect the better.

It may be worth taking a minute to jot a few notes on the back of each card once you've finished talking to each person to help you recollect your conversation later on.

Rehearse your ‘elevator speech'
Psychologists suggest that people will formulate an opinion of a person within 30 seconds of meeting them. So when you are networking you want to create a good impression . Have a mental summary prepared of who you are, what you do and what key thing you want people to know about you that would make them remember you. You only get one chance to make a first impression.

Build relationships
After you meet new people and have their contact details, send them a short email the following day telling them how you enjoyed meeting them. This will keep you in the front of their minds.

Failure to cultivate ties with the people you established contact with is a huge missed opportunity. The best networking produces results in the long term. And, remember, most jobs go unpublished. Sometimes it's about who you know, not what you know.