The following is rewritten from a series of presentations by Bart Evans and is now known as "Bart's Code". Mr. Evans helped lead a yearly networking program in Silicon Valley for students from my college before passing away earlier this year. As part of the program, he gave presentations that outlined principles for "participants to follow not only during the trip, but throughout their lives." The following guidelines have been collected from his original presentations.
I hope you all enjoy.
1. Preparation
Clothing
- Dark business suits for all (you can dress down once you are on their payroll).
- Tie: double overhand Windsor preferred.
Name Badges
- Wear on upper portion of your right jacket lapel (the optimum location when leaning forward to shake hands).
Equipment
- Pen and Paper: do not go anywhere without them, ever.
- Calling Cards: distribute them liberally. Never be without them.
- "I am interested" packet: have copies with you in your folder to leave if a company is particularly attractive to you. You must tell them of your interest; they are not normally going to come after you.
2. Talking to People
What to Say, How to Say It
- You must walk up (they are not going to come to you), introduce yourself ("Hello, my name is [name]") and get the conversation moving ("While we have not been formally introduced, I would really be interested in knowing...")
- Always introduce yourself first:
"My name is..." (not "I am...").
You ARE much more complex than a simple name.
"I am a [senior/junior/sophomore/freshman] majoring in..."
Then begin your question.
- Refer to the company by name as "[company name]" (first reference), then "you" (subsequent references)
- I never want to hear "you guys"—this phrase makes my skin crawl; we hear it all the time—very sad... and lazy.
- While thinking, pause and be quiet: do not fill the void with "like," "you know," "ah," "um," etc. Your listener would prefer that you think before speaking.
3. Behavior
Group Photos
- Women and men evenly distributed, not clumped together by gender.
- Taller individuals in the rear—you know who you are; don't wait to be told.
- If you cannot see forward, move forward.
- Form a compact group for best photo; it's better to form three narrow rows (taller people in the back) than a wide group.
Swag
- You may be given company mementos. You will thank the provider, particularly if it was distributed by the host's Administrative Assistant.
- Remember: the "Admins" did all the preparatory work for the host, are the real heroes, and often the unsung ones at that.
Cell Phones
- You will put them away out of sight and sound from the moment you [enter said networking event] to the moment you [leave said networking event].
Table Manners
- Proper table manners are mandatory, even in "informal" settings. Please do not "fist" your fork.
Social Media
- Take a fresh look at your Facebook presence. If you are not on Facebook, I am afraid you must be.
- Your on-line persona is a critical component of your personal marketing campaign.
- Influential people will look for you to get a sense of who you are.
4. Final Thoughts
Thank-You Notes
- You will write them and you will send them. If you do not own a box of personalized not cards with envelopes, go online and order some.
- You must have personalized not cards going forward
Rules of Life
- Never make a promise you can't or won't keep.
You must do anything you say you will do.
- Always do it quickly enough so that the recipient associated it with your promise.
