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Humor can oftentimes be a great asset when it comes to networking and job seeking. It can help break the ice or add a bit of personality to your interviews. But how do you best leverage a gift with comedic savvy when job-seeking—and it’s not for a gig at the Laugh Factory?
Brazen Careerist offers 15 ways to do this, via three key steps:
Step one: Working the networking room stage
1. Present a unique business card.
Include your picture or an inspirational quote. Or try to find a creative way to match your business card design with the industry in which you’re seeking a job. Check out these unique business cards for inspiration.
2. Create an interesting job title.
There are millions of accountants out there. But you can be remembered as the only Numbers Ninja in the room. (Click here to Tweet this thought.) Let your personality prevail and try a witty job title.
3. Ask thought-provoking questions.
After the obligatory “What do you do?†and “What do you like about your job?â€, turn to more memorable questions that will keep the conversation interesting for both of you. My favorite: “What’s something you’ve done that you think no one else in this room has done?â€
4. Give yourself a personal challenge.
There’s no doubt that networking can be scary. So challenge yourself to accomplish something before you allow yourself to leave. Don’t leave a networking event before reaching a goal you’ve set for yourself, like talking to five new people or collecting a certain number of business cards.
5. Play an improv game.
Bored by the conversations at the event? Play an improv game like First Letter Last Letter to force yourself to concentrate on the other person more. The first letter of the first word you say has to start with the last letter of the last word they just said.
Read more at Brazen Careerist …
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Janell Hazelwood
Janell Hazelwood is associate managing editor at Black Enterprise, managing content across core areas of Money, Career, Small Business and Technology. She is also a featured blogger with My Two Cents, providing insights on branding, millennial career development, employment trends and leadership. She was previously a content producer and copy editor for Black Enterprise magazine, working across several editorial sections. The Hampton University graduate got her start in the newspaper industry, having worked for companies including The New York Times and Scripps Howard News Service. Her works and insights have appeared on The Huffington Post, MadameNoire, E!Online, Brazen Careerist, CBS News, and Arise TV.
