Everyone loves talking about networking in the business community. Meeting with colleagues, competitors, peers, and potential clients is, after all, the name of the game and can put you ahead in business. And without question, one of the most popular networking events continues to be the after-work Happy Hour. Yet time and time again, people find themselves abusing this networking opportunity by over indulging and not getting as much as they could out of this potentially beneficial social gathering. So what are the dos and don’ts of meeting new people over drinks after a long day?

The first – and perhaps most important – thing to keep in mind before a networking Happy Hour is to remember why you’re there in the first place. The ultimate goal of this social interaction is to establish contacts, whether you’re looking for a new job, trying to find potential sales leads, or just establish your name in the industry. So above all else, practice moderation while drinking. There’s nothing wrong with having fun and showing that you are a social, entertaining person that people want to be around, but the last thing you would ever want to do is develop a reputation that could potentially harm you later on down the road. To further compound that point, you need to remember that if you are currently employed, you are representing your company as well as yourself, adding to the importance of being on your best behavior.

Additionally, it is essential that you retain proper perspective about the implicit goal of a professional networking event or happy hour. Yes, you might be there with a specific purpose in mind, whether it is to better your prospects for employment or to do your job, but you never want to seem overt about your purpose. These are supposed to be low-key social gatherings where peers can relax and mingle and work on developing personal relationships. The irony is that the less you work at networking, the more successful you typically are. And if there is an opportunity for professional advancement then that will usually occur naturally without a whole lot of additional effort. You don’t want to be the person who is aggressively pushing your resume or business card. You want to be the person who is interesting to talk to, easy to get along with, and someone people will want to get to know better.

Another good idea when it comes to professional networking is to attend gatherings in small groups. Attending a happy hour by yourself can be intimidating and difficult to get involved. However, when you attend with a friend or another coworker, you’ll have strength in numbers and can better integrate yourself into the group. In the worst case scenario, you can enjoy the company you’re with, alleviating some of the awkwardness and pressure of a formal networking event.

At the end of the day, happy hours are supposed to be fun. If you relax, keep the proper perspective, and don’t overdo it, you’ll find that it is a great, and potentially rewarding, way to unwind.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to business news.

John Soland is an experienced writer who is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to business news. http://www.inc.com/profile/laser-spine-institute

Author Bio: John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to business news.

Category: Business
Keywords: business news, growth, advice