You're at a networking event. How do you share personal interests without going overboard?

When sharing personal interests at a networking event, keep it concise/relevant to maintain professionalism and engagement: Key Points: Highlight a few key interests or hobbies that are appropriate for the context. Focus on those that may spark common ground or conversation related to the event or industry. Contextual Relevance: Connect your interests to the conversation naturally. For example, mention how a hobby relates to a recent project or industry trend, showing its relevance without dominating the discussion. Listen/Balance: Gauge the interest of the person you're speaking with. Allow them to share their interests as well. By sharing personal interests in a measured and relevant manner, you can build connections authentically.

Start by reading the room. Notice cues that signal genuine interest in your hobbies versus polite tolerance. If eyes glaze over when discussing medieval pottery, pivot gracefully. Keep explanations concise and relatable—share a quick anecdote to convey your passion without overwhelming detail. The aim is to connect, not lecture.

Networking events are a great opportunity to connect with potential collaborators, employers, or even friends. Sharing personal interests can be a fantastic way to break the ice and find common ground. However, it's important to strike a balance to avoid overshadowing your professional goals. Here are some tips to share your interests effectively:

Además de leer la habitación, es importante hacer preguntas abiertas para involucrar a los demás en la conversación y encontrar intereses compartidos. Pregunta sobre sus pasatiempos y experiencias, y escucha activamente sus respuestas. Esto no solo demuestra que valoras sus opiniones, sino que también te permite ajustar la conversación según sus intereses. Mantén un equilibrio entre compartir y escuchar, permitiendo que el diálogo fluya de manera natural. Utiliza el humor y las conexiones personales para

As the name suggests, networking events offer more of a platform to make professional friends rather than clients! Don't make it a sales pitch, establish common ground without boasting! Be an active listener, when it's your turn to talk try keeping a simple two to three liner backstory of how you became relevant to this networking event or how you can share the space with them through a relatable event in your life (only if you have some) Keep it short, keep it interesting according to the audience. Remember it's all about the people you are going to connect with rather than the networking being about you!

While being inquisitive during Networking events generally spurs meaningful conversation ... one thing I have found helpful is to stay clear of polarizing and emotion evoking topics such as Politics or Religion... Unless the event revolves around a highly homogeneous group... For example, A networking event among Democrats would naturally open political views. Otherwise, I would stay clear of these topics unless I am absolutely sure the person I am engaging with will appreciate the topic and find value in the conversation without being emotionally triggered.

Being inquisitive in your networking efforts can significantly boost engagement and attention. Here are a few ways to be more inquisitive: Ask questions Show interest in what others are doing by asking questions. Listen well Pay attention to what they say and respond to it. Share Thoughts Give your opinions and ask for theirs.

Indeed true, also include empathy and conversationally inquire why things happened, how someone felt when they did, what changes were made and what they learned. Actively listening while hearing what others are saying, this is Anna quoted skill you can perfect.

La importancia de la curiosidad mutua al compartir pasatiempos: Diálogo equilibrado y valor mutuo: Compartir pasatiempos de manera recíproca crea un diálogo equilibrado donde ambas partes se sienten valoradas y escuchadas. Preguntas abiertas y nuevas perspectivas: Conexiones más significativas: Mostrar un interés genuino en las historias de los demás genera confianza y fortalece la conexión. Adaptar el nivel de detalle: Las respuestas de los demás a sus preguntas abiertas pueden indicar su nivel de comodidad al compartir información personal. Conclusión: Compartir pasatiempos de manera recíproca y con genuina curiosidad es esencial para construir conexiones significativas.

When you're at a networking event, don't just talk about anything. Share interests that can also benefit the person you're speaking with. Make sure what you say is relevant to them.

Agregar valor al compartir pasatiempos: Conexiones profesionales relevantes: En un evento de networking, es importante conectar con personas de manera profesional. Experiencias únicas: Compartir estas experiencias demuestra su capacidad para pensar de manera innovadora y abordar problemas desde diferentes ángulos. Al compartir sus pasatiempos con un enfoque en el valor agregado, no solo se está promocionando a sí mismo, sino que también está buscando formas en que sus intereses puedan ser beneficiosos para la otra persona. Al ir más allá de simplemente enumerar sus intereses, puede mostrar cómo sus pasatiempos lo han convertido en un individuo más completo y valioso, lo que lo convierte en un activo atractivo para cualquier red profesional.

Sometimes we just tell stories for a good story's sake. While that can be fun and break the ice, it doesn't always help in networking situations. Here are a couple of ideas that can help you offer value while making connections: Strategic Stories: Pick stories that subtly highlight your skills or values. Make sure they align with the context of the event. Relevant Ties: Link your interests back to your professional life (like this: “I recently got into hiking and it's upped my energy at work."). Keep It Brief: Share enough to intrigue, then shift the focus back to the other person. Remember, networking is about building connections, not just sharing stories. Engage thoughtfully and leave a memorable impression!

Give value first then witness reciprocity from others. Conveying your interests while not stealing the entire convo is a happy medium. I personally love learning from others, hearing their stories, and meeting new people and friends while doing so. Of course I’m sharing with them as well!

Escuchando y esa escucha activa te dirá cuándo intervenir, de qué tema hablar y cuándo vender. Si solo te dedicas a hablar de ti mismo, será exagerar. Si te dedicas a escuchar las necesidades ahí descubrirás oportunidades de negocios.

Listening is key. The more you listen, the better you understand someone. We hear this advice all the time. However, being an active listener, truly engaging with what the other person is saying, asking questions, and showing genuine interest, makes people feel even more valued and understood. Active listening goes beyond just hearing words, it involves paying attention, responding thoughtfully, and building a deeper connection.

Actively listening is crucial as you can course correct to keep engagement up. I use a framework I call the “2 to 1” where I will ask 2 questions, then provide value or a story of insight. It’s the same framework the CIA and other agencies use in organic interviews and it works wonders. It keeps the convo going while you maintain control of it!

Sometimes, in an effort to be relatable to others, we share too much. This can come across poorly. It's important to share selectively and focus on what truly matters.

To build your personal brand, share a unique hobby or interest that aligns with your professional goals, subtly showcasing your diverse skills and passions. Remember to engage others by asking about their interests too, creating a balanced and memorable conversation that highlights your personal brand's authenticity and relatability.

Be prepared to adapt and evolve the conversation based on the flow and the other person’s interests. Flexibility in networking allows for more dynamic and fruitful interactions. If the conversation takes a turn, follow along and contribute in meaningful ways that align with the new direction. Actionable Examples: Practice shifting topics smoothly by linking them to the current discussion. Be ready to share different aspects of your interests to keep the conversation lively and relevant. Pro Tip: Discuss the importance of adaptability in networking on LinkedIn, using examples of how being flexible has led to better connections. #PersonalBranding. #PersonalCoaching.

Adapt your approach based on feedback and the dynamics of each event. For example, what engages one group might not work for another. As you network more, you’ll refine how to share personal interests in a way that enhances your personal brand without overdoing it. Each interaction is a chance to learn and improve your storytelling skills. 📚🎤

When in convos I’m always paying attention to hand movements, feet, facial expressions and making a conscious and subconscious tally of what interests someone I’m talking to. In larger groups or conventions I’ll float around to many groups leaving open ended convos to come back to. This keeps things moving, incorporates the take away effect, keeps me active, while I also appear to be more important than I actually am to others, which is a good thing as it resonates and draws others to me for convos!

At a networking event, share personal interests by briefly mentioning a hobby or passion that highlights your personality or skills. Keep it relevant to the conversation and gauge the other person's interest. Focus on common ground and listen actively, allowing the dialogue to flow naturally. Balance sharing about yourself with showing interest in others, ensuring a meaningful and engaging exchange.

Timing: Share your interests at appropriate moments in the conversation, ensuring it feels natural and not forced. Balance: Maintain a balance between professional and personal topics to keep the conversation well-rounded. Relevance: Focus on interests that might resonate with the audience or add value to the discussion. Humility: Be modest about your interests, and avoid coming across as self-centered or bragging.

“Seja cara de pau” Essa expressão, que pode soar negativa à primeira vista, na verdade encapsula uma atitude proativa e destemida que pode abrir inúmeras portas e criar oportunidades inesperadas. Não importa se as pessoas são “peixes grandes” ou se você ainda é um desconhecido no mercado (“quem sou eu na fila do pão”?). Acredite, pessoas mais experientes amam conversar com jovens empreendedores que carregam entusiasmo e brilho no olho. “Quem não arrisca..”, você sabe!