At the conclusion of a networking meeting, my goal for the person I met is be able to answer three questions about me:
1. What are the top 2-3 unique skills I possess?
2. What job am I seeking?
3. What connections do I need?
I adapted this style after asking several people these questions. The result was mixed. So I took a new approach to the meetings, I tried to deliver these items three times.
To eliminate interference to this message, I eliminated details around my career. I found it was unrealistic to expect a busy person (with loads of other items on their mind) to sort out these points as I droned on about how I did this or that.
As I look back at my 600+ networking meetings, no one has ever said to me “I’m looking for a self-starting thought-leader who led a cross-departmental team and saved at least $2 million through an integration project”. I get something like “I want a CFO who has international experience in the service industry”.
Help your contact help you – Keep your message simple and repeat it so it sticks in their mind. Leave the details to your resume, LinkedIn profile, blog, etc.
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