zlacker

>>Berisl+(OP)
Has anyone actually experienced this mythical "networking at the conference"? Like, how do you even do it? A talk ends and everyone have a short break before the next one starts. Presenter is immediately surrounded by 5-10 people half whom are his/her friends, half are asking about merch, and half are are the most extroverted people in the room who probably can bruteforce this networking stuff. Others are vaguely drifting around the room and trip over chairs, drinking water and talking to their friends who came together in a group. Who do you even talk to there? About what? It's like a dating site except with no bio details altogether, meaning there is no base point to start a conversation. And if you do randomly engage in a conversation with a complete stranger it's inevitably goes like this - ask each other about general profession, then more specific question about your industry, then name of your corporation, then awkward silence...

>>Yizahi+GK
Start by making eye contact and saying Hi. Then if they’re receptive ask some innocuous questions like “why did you come here” or “what did you think of this talk.”

>>throwa+rL
I'll go with a "what brought you here".

I find this is the basic of networking hack. And this is what most people do. Say "hi" and ask their opinion or their story.

Or you can offer your opinion "I found that new technique very interesting". "I didn't understand why that's better than X".

Or if you're super focused on something specific go for that. You're looking for a job, a client, an employee, ask for that directly. "Hi, I really enjoyed the talk and I'm looking for a job in the area. Are you working on something similar?".