Do you think it’s possible to be too opinionated during a networking conversation? A job-seeker recently asked me about a personal situation. Someone who had overheard a conversation told the job-seeker he was steering the conversation away from their job search and toward other topics they were interested in.
This was well-meaning input from a friend, so it was food for thought.
Every job seeker has a unique blend of characteristics and traits that produce a networking style all their own. There are certain networking techniques that will help increase your contact list of individuals who could put you in touch with hiring decision-makers. Learning how to use such techniques and combine them with your personal style makes it possible to have productive networking meetings.
I believe that the best policy is to be yourself, but some job seekers are intimated by the networking process and make it harder than it needs to be by trying to act like someone they are not.
Coming across as too opinionated or the alternative, too intimidated, can lead to networking barriers. Keep the focus on the purpose of the conversation. Preparing for a networking meeting, whether it is with one person or a room of 50 people, will help you stay on track.
Be cautious in these conversations, and save your opinions until you are asked. Then consider the source of the question before being too passionate with your response. If you are too opinionated, you risk hurting someone’s feelings or producing strong feelings in return.
If you leave meetings with no new contacts, chances are you are not asking focused questions. Pay attention to balance in your conversations. If you find yourself doing most of the talking, change your tactic and have a more shared discussion.
It is difficult to develop rapport if you are too opinionated and dominate the conversation.
What are your thoughts on being opinionated while networking?
