Once you learn how to make a strong impression on prospects, networking opportunities are everywhere.
Many people associate networking with very specific professional functions, such as conferences or “networking events.” What they don’t realize is that an unassuming event like a happy hour with friends can be as good an opportunity to meet new contacts as the annual industry meetup.
If the idea of networking somewhere informal sounds awful, you might want to reassess how you network; it isn’t always about polish and salesmanship — you want to make connections that matter. Here are five tips to stack the odds in your favor: