Explain Yourself

“Who are you and what do you do?”  How many times have you been asked that question?  Do you have a pat answer? When you answer do you merely recite it as if you have said it a million times and you don’t even have to think about it? Are you even paying attention to the person who asked the question when you answer, or are you scanning the room looking for the next person to talk to when you answer?  If you answered “yes” to any of these questions then you need to rethink what you are doing.

These two questions: who are you and what do you do, are giving you the opportunity to explain yourself and what you do to someone you has expressed interest in knowing about you.  Don’t just blow them off by giving some boring pat answer.  Get excited by the opportunity. Look them in the eye and engage with them and explain who you are and what you do and what makes you, you. What makes you the best at what you do, what makes you distinctive, different from the others that do something similar. Explain why you are motivated to get up each morning, why you love working with your clients, what thrills you most about what you do, get them excited just hearing about you and your passion for what you do.

And then, ask them about themselves and their job, company, career.  Don’t just do it to be polite, really listen to their answer, and if they try giving you a pat answer, don’t let them off the hook, delve into it with them, asking them leading questions that will require them to do more than answer with a yes or no.  Show interest in their answers and get them engaged about what they are telling you. Ask about their hobbies and their interests outside of the business world and look for places of overlapping interests. Try to think of people that you know who would be good connections for this person either professionally or personally.  When you both feel you have a good idea about each other’s business’ or have set a time and place for further follow up, move on to the next person.  I can assure you there will several people wanting to get to know you simply because of the positive energy you are exuding.

The point is, if you take the time to really answer the questions that are asked of you and really listen to answers of the same questions you ask of others, you will be amazed by the level of energy you will generate and connections and lasting impressions you will make. And really, in the end isn’t that a big part of why we are all out there networking?