If you find yourself overly depressed and under-motivated when it comes to attending networking events, remember that even if you do not come back with a job offer in your pocket, these crowded, hectic events provide an excellent opportunity to fill that empty pocket with paper napkins, silverware, tablecloths, and drapes, all of which you can sell on eBay. (Those attractive, "Hi, My Name is" badges are useful when you show up at the food bank, looking for government cheese. The social workers will be so afraid of you, no one will ask for your credentials.)
After hunting for leftovers, if you do have any time leftover for networking, Ryan suggests you dial down the desperation. If asked about your job,. Ryan opines, casually mention that you are looking, but don't make a big deal of it.
I agree. People today don't want to be seen having a chinwag with a loser like you. That's why you have to put on your confident, cheerful, fully employed face when you network. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to occasionally break into bitter sobbing, punctuating by heroic sniffs and sniveling as you demonstrate your personal fortitude in the face of adversity. You could even ask your new networking friends for hugs as you pull yourself together.
Follow this advice and you're sure to leave the event with business cards from people you can start calling three, five or 10 times a day. Believe me, once your new best friends forever see you could be a pest forever when you have no work to do, they'll move heaven and earth to get you a job. And isn't that what networking is all about?
