Keeping Your Back Away from the Wall

One of my practices for effective networking: Keep your back away from the wall.

Why? It’s one of the best methods to minimize your distractions.

There are two reasons why I’m writing on a topic that most people would think is pretty obvious: minimize distractions. The first reason is important. The second reason is just killer.

FIRST: Because distractions can repeatedly sneak up on you during a meeting, it’s not always obvious for the candidate.

Most of us out networking spend a fair amount of time in coffee shops. It’s a natural part of the experience to take in your surroundings, watch interesting people, etc.

It happens almost every time I meet a fellow candidate, they don’t even realize their gaze has wandered. I’m talking about total professionals with impeccable resumes, references, etc. – yet several times during our meeting their gaze is elsewhere.

SECOND: When speaking, the candidate’s eyes are fixed on me, because they are focused on their pitch. Their gaze wanders when I’m speaking. Ouch.

After awhile, it becomes difficult to tell if I’m a total bore or are they oblivious to their level of distraction. I have to admit I’m relieved to hear the candidate mention what they are looking at so intently. At least it makes me feel less of a bore.

In my view, each meeting represents your one and only chance to make a sale. Don’t let some odd looking fellow get the way.

The ability to make the sale is most often judged by your ability to show that the meeting is truly a ‘networking’ meeting. If can achieve that, it sets you apart from the other people who have networked with the same contact.

You just cannot get there if you are not focused on the person – especially when they are sharing their insights with you.

Face the wall. Take notes. Keep eye contact at all times (though don’t make it a staring contest). Do whatever it takes to keep your focus.

Next time you go to coffee with a friend, face the wall. See how much more you focus on them and count how often they look elsewhere and when.

This is a lesson from the networking trail, where the obvious is not always so.

Good luck today.

Mark

www.candidateschair.com – Tools, Seminars and Advice from a Candidate’s viewpoint to help get past job search roadblocks and keep your spirit strong. Please take a visit.





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