Job Recruiting

How to Be Memorable in Business

Posted in Networking Tips

You attend a networking event wherein you shook hands with a lot of people and collected their business cards.  However, you end up remembering only half of the people.  This is why you should create a great first impression yourself so that your contacts would remember you days after the event.  If people do not remember you well, they would probably not call you to follow up, or will not keep you in mind for their future needs or possible referrals.  Here are some ways to make yourself memorable during networking.

Be distinctive

Wear something that would make you stand out without being silly.  You can put on a brightly-colored, hand-painted tie, or an unusually-designed necklace, or even groom yourself impeccably.  It is not about having you being remembered and identified by what you wear, but rather having you stand out from the crowd.

Be fully present

Engage yourself fully through the conversations, and be fully aware of the people you interact with.  Remember to listen well, respond promptly, and maintain eye contact.

Ask thought-provoking questions

Ask questions that would start the conversation on a positive note towards your contact, such as "How did you get started?" or "What do you enjoy the most about what you do?"  Follow them up with questions that are specific towards the person you are interacting with.  It is best to take a genuine interest in other people.

Reinforce your keywords

People will only remember a few key things about you:  Your name, your company's name, your business or industry, your product, and location.  Find ways to repeat these keywords without being too obvious in your conversations.  For instance, does your name have a story behind it?  Does your business name have an unusual name?  Tell about it if there is an opportunity. 

Contribute in group conversations

Do not just be the center of all attention, be smart and let other people in your group create a memorable impression during the conversations.  Create value for others as you create value for yourself.