Professional mix and mingles, happy hours and other social events are great opportunities to make important connections with peers as well as potential mentors and employers. These events also can become very meat market-ish, as they tend to involve alcohol and large numbers of single people. So how do you balance trying to get your network on while also keeping your eyes open for cuties? Here are a few tips to avoid professional and personal embarrassment as you navigate the scene!
Dress For Success: Whether you’re more interested in looking to get hired or to get asked out, you can’t be half-stepping in a situation that requires you to make a good first impression! You also shouldn’t be coming club ready either; event-appropriateness is key. Choose tasteful makeup, a flattering ‘fit (I’m a dress girl, but if you can make the pants suit work, rock it!) and comfy-yet-stylish shoes.
Come Prepared: You should have business cards on you always! Even if you don’t have a work issued card, you can make a simple one with your name, contact info (please have a firstname.lastname@gmail.com account, not Hotbaby69@gmail.com one for your business matters!) and, if you please, your title or field of work. You want to share this info with potential professional connections and its also a good way to slide your info to a honey without making a big show of exchanging numbers in front of everyone.
Remain Sober: Even if there is an open bar, you have to be responsible about your alcohol intake or you may embarrass yourself in front of potential professional connects AND honey-dips. You know your tolerance level, mind it. Don’t even get “tipsy” or “nice”, as you never know how someone who may have wanted to hire you could react.
Be Charming: In these situations, the wallflower almost always loses. Turn up the charisma! Smile! Chat new people up. Don’t get trapped in one conversation for too long (unless it’s with a potentially valuable contact…or honeydip). Work the room like it’s your job and you may get a new one! Gentlemen may also find your confidence to be attractive, FYI.
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