Build Your Network and Maximize Your Conference Experience

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By Wendy Terwelp

The pressure to net a return on your conference investment can be daunting: so many great speakers, sessions, people, and vendors.

In the following few paragraphs, I’ll show you how to create meaningful business connections before, during, and after a conference to help you reach your goals and get the most from your conference experience while ensuring ROI for you, your team, and your boss.

Before: Plan Ahead

Creating a conference strategy and networking plan well in advance of the event will save you time and yield better results.

Set goals. Who do you wish to meet at this event? If you wish to meet speakers, name them. How many new people do you want to meet? Choose a specific number of new people to meet each day you’re at the conference. Connect with colleagues from past conferences a few weeks ahead of the event, so you can coordinate a meetup if they’re also attending.

Conference networking is a chance to learn from peers and experts and solidify relationships that can propel your career. Planning ensures you connect and meet your networking goals.

Get Social. 

Review your social media accounts ahead of the conference. Ensure your professional photo on social channels is current and that your social media bios and contact information are up-to-date and on-brand for your goals.

Schedule posts in advance of the event so you remain visible and stay top of mind while traveling.

Follow the conference’s hashtag and participate in conversations in real-time, when you can. You can also connect with new people, as well as other colleagues, and set up a time to meet onsite.

I once planned a guest spot for my conference session using X/Twitter’s DM (direct message) feature. It’s a terrific networking tool when you’re not in the same state or the same country.

Are you speaking at the conference? Provide valuable and helpful tips about your session topic on your social media channels and include the conference hashtag. Are you a conference-going pro, but not speaking? Share tips about the conference city, not-to-miss speakers, and conference-related events such as Networking Night.

Be Selfie Ready. The city will be filled with conferencegoers, people you need to know, even when you’re grabbing breakfast or having a cocktail with friends after a day of training. Also, everyone’s got a camera on their smartphone. You want to look fab in those photos, whenever and wherever they’re taken, dress appropriately.

During: Make Connections that Count

At the event, with its numerous people, sessions, and activities, it can be overwhelming for many.

These tips below will help you network effectively during the event – and beyond.

Ask Open-ended Questions.

“Is this your first conference?” is not an open-ended question because the person you ask will either say “yes” or “no.” Instead, ask, “What was your favorite session thus far and why?” or “Whose session are you hoping to see most?” or “What’s one concept you learned and are bringing back to your employer?”

Asking open-ended questions will encourage more conversation and learning from other attendees beyond the sessions. At one conference, an attendee shared a great synopsis of a session he loved, including voice demonstrations of the participants. Not only was this recap fun, but I got key takeaways about a session I missed.

By asking open-ended questions and showing genuine interest in others, you can easily turn casual connections into new friendships and collaborations.

Get a Seat at the Table — with Strangers.

Whether you’re sitting in a session, having lunch, or waiting in line, you’ve got an opportunity to meet a new person and network.

To ensure you have a successful interaction, have a sound bite ready. When people ask, “So, what do you do?” you’ll be prepared and stand out with a benefit-driven statement.

Connect with a Business Card or via LinkedIn. 

When you ask open-ended questions, you’ll uncover at least one unusual or interesting thing you learned about each person you meet. Jot it down on the back of his or her business card along with the date and session where you met.

No card? Connect on LinkedIn. Then later, message them with a thank you and a reminder of the session or networking event where you met.

This strategy will help you follow up with your new contacts after the show. By reviewing your notes, you’ll better recall each person, and you can use your memory jogger to refresh your new connection’s memory when you follow up.

Use Social Media During the Conference. 

Join the conference conversation online. An easy start? The conference app tracks social media posts using the conference hashtag in real-time. Jump in!

Attend Conference Networking Events.

Many side events are happening during a conference run, including vendor-sponsored meetups, book signings, dinners, and social gatherings. There is always something to do at the end of the conference day. To find out the latest, check your social feeds for the conference hashtag as well as conference resources like the onsite information booth, registration swag bag, conference app, and expo vendors.

Choose one and bring a new friend or coworker with you. You’ve got your sound bite and some open-ended questions – you’re ready to rock.

After: Follow Up

Follow up. While some conferencegoers are no longer using business cards since COVID, many still are, and you’ll walk away with dozens of business cards when heading home. That’s where the memory jogger is useful. If you promised you’d send a person an article on the topic you discussed, do it!

Stay connected. I prefer connecting on LinkedIn at conferences because it’s easy to stay in touch (and top of mind). Plus, you can learn more about each person via their LinkedIn profile.

When you make a conference action plan, it allows you to be confident, comfortable, and ready to rock your conference experience. You’ve got this!

To help get the most from your next conference, get my FREE Conference Networking Action Plan.

Wendy Terwelp wrote the book on networking, “Rock Your Network®,” which includes even more networking tips! She writes, speaks, and coaches on networking, personal branding, and career development. Need a speaker for your next event? Let’s chat!

Break Your New Goal into Steps

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Once you’ve set your mind on a goal and cleared away distractions, you’re ready to start. But first, you need to do some planning. When you create a plan and use that plan, you’re more likely to succeed with your goals.

You can create a list of tasks to achieve your goal. But it’s more effective to start by evaluating what you need to make your goal a reality.

Tools or Supplies

What tools or supplies will you need to meet your goal? If you’re starting a blog, you’ll need a website and a hosting service. If you’re aiming to win a promotion, start tracking your projects, achievements, and results.

You also need to consider any supplies you may have forgotten. If you’re starting a job search, you may need an updated LinkedIn profile. If you’re starting an exercise routine, you may need to invest in new equipment.

Specialized Help

Sometimes, you can’t achieve your goals by yourself. That’s where specialized help comes in. Specialized help can take many forms. It might be hiring a personal trainer to help you achieve the toned body you want. It might be hiring a career coach to help you win a raise or promotion.

Specialized help can sometimes be expensive. But if your goal is important to you, don’t be afraid to invest in it. Some coaches and trainers may be willing to work with you to develop a payment plan, so be sure to ask if this is an option.

Support from Friends and Family

You can’t succeed in a bubble. To reach your goals, you’ll need the support of your family, friends, colleagues, or coworkers. If your current network can’t provide support, look for alternative support.

Joining a support group or finding an online community can be helpful in these situations. Look for groups and communities that leave you feeling upbeat and are filled with people who want to achieve similar goals.

Return the Support

It’s easy to become so focused on your new goal that you forget to invest in others. If you’re part of a group or community, make sure you offer help to other members. Be willing to take time from your day to support someone else.

This support can take many forms, including sharing a blog post you read, a relevant book, or a tool.

Now that you know what you need to succeed, it’s time to go after your goal. It’s scary to take that first step, but you must be willing to do it. Once you’ve taken that first step, you’ll experience a rush of confidence and increased motivation.

Motion creates momentum. Go for it!

Take my free personal brand assessment to see where your brand currently stands and the exact steps you can take to elevate your career.

Goals: What Are You Truly Fired Up to Focus On?

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There may be several areas of your life you’d like to improve by setting goals.

You know you’ll feel happy (maybe even relieved!) when you complete them.

What’s the one goal you most want to accomplish? What’s the one that fills you with excitement and jazzes you as you dream of the possibilities?

You want to pursue goals that excite you and have deep meaning for you because you’ll be more motivated to achieve them. When you encounter roadblocks, you’ll be more likely to find a way to overcome them. Your passion and your why are the fuel that will drive you forward and enable you to keep going when things are tough.

What one thing, if completed, would be the tipping point for everything else you want to do?

You can transform your life by pursuing a single goal. Think about the weight loss transformations you see in magazines or the inspirational stories of employees who built their dream businesses while working full-time.

It all started with a single goal that changed the direction of their lives.  

Why is this goal important?

Once you know what your goal is and you feel passionate about it, dig deep to discover why this goal matters to you. In addition to yourself, who else will be impacted when you achieve this goal?

This is important because it helps you determine what’s motivating you. When you encounter setbacks, your motivation, your why, must be powerful enough to give you the strength to keep going.

Your motivation doesn’t have to be about you. Perhaps it’s about creating a better life for your family. Or making an impact on your favorite nonprofit.

What’s the first step?

Now that you know what you want, it’s helpful to make a list. Write down all the ways your life will benefit when you’ve achieved your goal. This list can help you stay motivated and give you the courage to persevere in pursuit of your dream.

While you may not realize it right now, setting and achieving one goal that’s important to you will be the start of your brand-new life.

It will transform you into a more confident and happier person than before.

In your corner,

Coach Wendy

www.knocks.com/coaching

Is Your Resume Landing Interviews for You?

Wendy Terwelp 2 Comments

If you’ve been sending hundreds of resumes and not getting interviews, here’s how to get better results.

Question: “I have been sending resumes, cover letters, and following up with phone calls, yet I haven’t been called for an interview. Can you help me?”

Answer: Yes, I can help you. Here’s the first step: Are you clear on the job title you want to pursue?

Not “any” job, but a specific job title that aligns with your career goals.

If this is not clearly stated on your resume, you may get passed over by an employer’s applicant tracking system. Or even LinkedIn, when using Easy Apply if the search terms don’t align with your desired job.

Your desired job title is a critical keyword an employer’s applicant tracking system will search for when screening through the hundreds of resumes they receive. Job titles are keywords; when you’re applying online, ensure your resume is specific and meets the qualifications listed in the job post.

Plus, listing your desired job title on your resume tells the reader you know exactly what you want to do and that you’re not expecting the hiring manager or recruiter to decide what position would interest you.

Focus creates opportunities.

Make Your Resume Stand Out

Next, take a closer look at your resume and have two or three friends do so.

Be objective. When you read your resume, can you change your name and put someone else’s name on it?

For example, if you are an instructional designer, does your resume look like every other instructional designer’s resume but with different years of experience? If so, it’s time for an update.

If you wish to use AI to help you with your resume, ensure you are using effective prompts to help you identify the keywords in the job post against your professional experience. Do the job description and keywords align with your experience?

Because AI pulls from multiple sources, it can make your resume generic and not capture your personality or your quantified, specific achievements. Only you can do this because your resume needs to be compelling enough to stand out and gain the attention of your prospective employer.

Differentiate yourself by using strong achievement statements on your resume. When writing achievement statements, use the CAR framework. CAR stands for Challenge, Action, Result. Ensure results are quantified. Did your initiative save money? Make money? Improve productivity? Provide a measurable outcome. This framework addresses the question employers ask when reviewing resumes, “Why should I hire you?” And “Will I get a return on my investment in this candidate’s salary?”

Ensure your resume uses a “what’s in it for them” focus rather than a “what’s in it for me” focus.

Be Strategic With Your Job Search Method

Third, how are you conducting your job search? Are you only answering online job postings on job boards, LinkedIn, and company websites?

Or, this is key, are you sending your resume directly to a decision-maker?

Search strategy matters.

Follow Up the Right Way

Kudos to our Reader for following up on the resumes they’ve been sending.

Your fourth tip is to assess how the follow-up calls are structured and the timeframe for the call.

A good time to follow up is three to seven days from when you sent your resume.

If you decide to make a call, make it intriguing. Do not say, “Hi, I’m calling to check if you got my resume.” Boring!

A better way is to get the name and contact information of the decision-maker for your role. You can then make a direct call using this format:

“Xena Smith? It’s Jo Friday. I’m calling regarding the resume I submitted for the ID position on [date]. I’m very interested in this role.

[Compelling reason for the interviewer to call you back.] When I researched your company, I saw that you have high growth in specific business units, requiring constant hiring for those units. Onboarding is a core area of my expertise. In the past year, I revamped our onboarding process, getting new employees up to speed in 45 days versus 90. I’d like to do the same or better for you. Please call me between 2 and 4 p.m. Tuesday, and I’d be glad to answer any of your questions.”

Using this strategy, you indicate your value, interest in the position, AND the best time to reach you. This technique also helps avoid playing phone tag.

If you’re emailing a follow-up note, use a script similar to the above and include a link to your scheduling app. This saves the back-and-forth. Also, include a backup copy of your resume so it’s fresh in their mind.

When you follow up using either strategy above, you provide a compelling reason for the employer to call you back.

I look forward to hearing your results.

Want More Help?

If you’d like more help with your job search, get my free “Get Hired Faster” guide today.

Wendy Terwelp, Founder of Opportunity Knocks of Wisconsin, is an executive career coach who writes, speaks, and coaches professionals to go from passed over to promoted. She’s helped thousands of professionals land jobs, get salary increases, and earn promotions through her work. Ready for your next big gig? Let’s talk!

Note: A variation of my post first appeared in ATD’s blog.

Rock Your Network®: Never Burn a Bridge

Wendy Terwelp 4 Comments

Nick picked up a copy of my book when I spoke to his MBA class. He wrote me an email about the action he took after reading “Rock Your Network® for Job Seekers” and his terrific result – a new dream gig!

“Wendy,

I found your book very helpful when trying to find a job that would make me happy and allow me to do something I was “into.” I went to LinkedIn and read my friend M’s profile. In her description, she said she “loved” her job. From there, I was very proactive. Instead of Facebook messaging, LinkedIn, or email, I just picked up the phone and asked M to tell me exactly what she did for a living and how she and her parents started this fundraising company.

[Editor’s note: Woo hoo! See how Nick researched online, then reached out to make that personal connection by picking up the phone and reconnecting with his friend?]

Our phone conversation lasted about a half hour, and from there, she said she’d put me in contact with a local rep. All of a sudden she called me back and had set up a ride-a-long. The ride-a-long went terrific, and from there her parents (the owners) of the company called me and flew me to Minnesota to see the operation and meet me. After two days, I went home with an offer. Within the following week, I accepted the offer…! After I accepted, they flew me in to meet the entire sales group and staff for the end-of-the-season sales meeting (4 hours) and to introduce me to the company!

It was a crazy journey getting this job, but I CAN’T wait to start. I basically just used “networking” as the sole reason I got this job. I kept in touch with an old friend that I was really close with but didn’t see often. That ended up being enough and proved you should never burn a bridge. They also liked that I sought out M, NOT asking for a job, but asking to learn about what they do. From there I acted the part, whether it be dressing for the part when they picked me up from the airport to just being very proactive throughout this process. It’s crazy like you said in your book, how many jobs come from networking, compared to online postings. I guess I just want to say thanks because your book just gave me the confidence to not be afraid to pursue something that I believed in for a career!”

Success Stories

YEAH! You rock Nick! Nick wanted me to share his networking story with everyone – and he’ll be in the next edition of my book, Rock Your Network®. The bold items are my edits.

Here are the exact steps Nick took to land his new gig:

1. Reviewed his LinkedIn connections and read the profiles to identify people with interesting jobs he’d like to learn more about. (Research)

2. Picked up the phone! And reconnected personally. (Reach out)

3. Asked about his friend’s career to learn more about it. He did NOT ask for a job.

4. Shared common interests. This led to the additional connection with a local sales rep.

5. Took action – went on the ride-along and, as he said, “dressed the part.” He acted as if he already had the gig.

6. Never burned a bridge. Maintained relationships.

7. Was a go-getter. Nick took action and initiative, which got him results: a NEW JOB.

Call to action: Which of Nick’s steps can you take right now? Go for it – and share your story! I’d love to have your story in the next edition of my book, like Nick. Let’s roll!

Want more networking tips? Grab a copy of Rock Your Network®.

© Wendy Terwelp | All rights reserved.

Wendy Terwelp, author of Rock Your Network®, writes, speaks, and coaches on career management, networking, social media, and personal branding. Need a speaker for your association, company, or private coaching to rock your career? Let’s talk!