Wellness Wednesday: Networking 101

One of the benefits that came out of the COVID Pandemic was finding a core group of people who helped us feel safe and with whom we enjoyed spending time.

For some, staying in close contact with a few friends proved beneficial, but now as we have entered some normalcy, you may find yourself attending more social gatherings and work-related events.

This can feel daunting because we’ve been behind a screen for a while. However, networking is beneficial for our professional growth. Here are some tips to help you network your way to success.

To start, be confident.

If you are heading into a room full of people you don’t know, remember you’re the expert on you! No one else knows your story, so you’re in control of telling it. Lead with your name and employer as you extend a firm handshake.

Be open.

Some networking events bring the same people you see everywhere else, but others draw people from various backgrounds and experiences that you may not be familiar with. Be curious and listen for keywords that you may not recognize. Ask the person to expand upon what they are telling you if it sounds interesting.

Be real.

Fakeness can be spotted from a mile away. Ask genuine questions and listen to the answers. There is nothing worse than asking a question that your new connection has already answered.

Be ready.

Sometimes you will be ready to exit a conversation before the other person, and that’s okay. Be ready to say, “I’ve got to head to my seat now, but it was great meeting you!” or “I’m going to make a quick call before the event starts, please excuse me.”

Finally, follow up.

Follow up with people after the networking event. Send an email, a LinkedIn request, or even a handwritten note to other attendees. The best way you can expand your network is to be intentional about following up and staying connected and engaged in their professional lives.

Kinetiq Health presents Better Health in 90, a video series of health tips in 90 seconds or less from our expert clinical team.

In this Better Health in 90 video, Kinetiq Health Specialist Kelsey Van Paris discusses networking tips for your next business event.

Organizations are in a constant state of change and the Kinetiq Health team supports them every step of the way. A unique formula of people, processes and technologies enables our team to keep an educated eye on the financial and clinical implications of data to move organizations toward improved financial health and employee well-being.