Super schmoozing locales

Attend work-sponsored social gatherings. In-office showers, birthday parties, happy hours and holiday parties may seem like a pain in the neck when you are trying to get your work done. But in reality, they are an ideal time to meet and mingle with people from other departments and senior executives with whom you might not usually cross paths. Don't be shy. Walk up to people and introduce yourself. Make sure you know the names of senior executives you approach (ask your boss to point out who is who in the room). Keep it simple and friendly, for example, "Hi, John. We haven't had the chance to work together, but I'm Bill, Marketing Analyst. I work with Sally on the new product launches." Follow up with the new people you have met after the party is over. Either drop by their office to say hello, or invite them to lunch.

Use social events outside of the office as a chance to make important business connections. Attend parties hosted by successful or well-connected people, charitable benefits or cultural events (e.g., gallery opening, premiere party). One female attorney in Silicon Valley went to one party and got on the quarterly invite list to huge parties thrown by local venture capitalists. Be prepared at these gatherings to talk about yourself -- what you've done and what you want; otherwise, people won't be able to help you achieve your goals. Even if your new contacts can't help you immediately, if you keep in touch with them, they may come across something or someone helpful to you in the future.

Join professional, cultural and alumni-based associations. Everyone has a natural network. Not only are there industry associations, ethnic or cultural associations, and alumni groups you can and should tap into, there may even be an organization that combines multiple dimensions of your demographic (e.g., Harvard Black Alumni club, Women in Digital Media association, Asian American Bar Association). Find and be active in these organizations. One lawyer spoke on a panel for women lawyers in intellectual property and got re-acquainted with an old classmate who placed her at her next job.

Other places to network. Do not limit networking to the workplace. You never know who someone knows, so be vocal about your professional goals. Your family can help you find contacts. You can also get contacts through your friends. Other sources include professors, classmates, career centers and alumni. How to make a good impression

• Be genuine. People can tell if blatant self-interest or superficiality motivates your interaction with them.
• Use direct eye contact and a firm handshake when introducing yourself. You make the strongest impression in the first minute.
• Find out what interests the other person, whether it's work or non-work related. Everyone loves to talk about him or herself!
• Compliment something about the other person. Whether it is about his shoes, her business suit, what you have heard about his management style or how well you have seen her present in front of a large group, everyone loves to be flattered when the sentiment is genuine.
• Listen carefully and attentively. Acknowledge what you have heard, for example by nodding or asking questions about something the other person said. If you're a good listener, people will want to talk to you.

How to cultivate your network

• Be organized in tracking and remembering people's names, jobs, and some interest they have. When you get their business card, you can jot down some notes about the person. If possible, don't write on the card in front of the person. (In some Asian cultures, writing on business cards is deeply offensive!)

• Maintain some sort of regular contact with your contacts.
  • Drop someone a short e-mail or voice-mail to say hello once in a while.
  • Send an annual Christmas card from your company.
  • Schedule occasional coffee, lunches or drinks. It cements a relationship to see someone in person from time to time. Organize a group activity to save yourself the time of seeing multiple people individually.
  • Congratulate people when you see them in the news.

• Be proactive in helping others. When it comes to networking, it's important to demonstrate that you're not just out for yourself. Sharing information is a great way to be helpful.
  • Send an article or event information of something that interests them.
  • Introduce two of your contacts who don't know each other but have something interesting in common.
  • If you are asked for help, help.