Have you repeatedly been in the same situation but always feel uncomfortable, even though you know what’s coming?

This is an all too familiar feeling when it comes to networking. Nothing is worse than entering a room full of strangers with the expectation that spectacular business agreements and lifetime bonds will be forged with the simple addition of a little wine and cheese to share.

Unless you enjoy free food simply for free food, (which is fine, we’re foodies too), that’s not the point of having it at a networking session. The food is there as a buffer — so you have something to do while the only other thing to do is talk to strangers.

So we've  created better buffers.

AL DÍA’s 14th Annual Diversity Career Fair has built-in networking opportunities that include:

2-5 p.m.: Resume Station, LinkedIn Headshot Booth, and Campus Philly Resource Table
3 p.m.: #CareerHacks: A Millennial Guide to Stay & Grow in Philly - Max Conaboy, Young Involved Philadelphia Board Member
4 p.m.: Campus Philly Networking 101 Workshop
5 p.m.: Keynote Speaker Bret Perkins, Vice President of Government & External Relations, Comcast
5-7p.m.: Networking happy hour at the indoor foodtruck (featuring hors d'oeuvres and drinks)

Clearly we’ve done away with that good old wine and cheese format

Still squeamish? Here are some networking tips and tricks you can use on May 14:

Problem 1: You don’t know anyone

The simple answer would be to introduce yourself, but when you can’t tell a brain surgeon from a PR whiz, it seems far too unnatural.

The first step to easing this tension is name-tags, and not just with the company name.

Exhibitors will have name-tags with their name and company.

Guests will be encouraged to put not only their name but “Career Seeker” in X industry. Adding your industry of interest adds a quick point of reference for potential employers.

If you’re already employed, your company name and title will also fill that void.

At the very least, everyone can inquire about your company or field of interest, which is something any person is much more likely to have familiarity with before entering the event.

Problem 2: Networking is pointless

Walking into a networking session without a purpose is mistake number one. Not having a purpose exposes networking for what it is: a bunch of strangers in a room together.

Having a purpose transforms your time into productivity.

Since networking can make me uncomfortable, I recently had an “aha” moment about how to turn something I hate into something I can manage; (saying “like” would still be a stretch).

I went to a networking session this week; the people I knew there were at a loss because their contact with the organization wasn’t there on that particular day. He would normally introduce them to everyone in the room but without him there, they had no idea what to do or who to talk to.

At the end, they all felt that the session was a waste of time.

However, I didn’t feel that way because I came into the session with two specific goals in mind-distributing flyers for a particular event, and finding a point of contact for someone I want to invite to the office. In less than an hour, I accomplished both of those goals.

While my friends felt that there was no point, I felt totally fulfilled and was able to enjoy my petite sandwich in peace.

Solution

Think about what you goals are for this moment, and how this networking session or event can connect to them. Don’t overlook the obvious — create your own purposes.

Since this is a career fair, obviously job seeking is a top priority. Simply think, who in this room can get me that job and how can I connect with them?

The exhibitors are the obvious first choice, as their responsibility is to be present and recruit.

However, there is a second often overlooked opportunity at career fairs.

Organic networking.

Our trusted name-tags will allow all attendees to see who is seeking a career, hiring, or is employed somewhere else. Do not overlook the people who are already employed. Chances are their companies have open positions, and even if they don’t, they may know someone who does.

For those of you you aren’t looking to change careers at the moment, we also encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and think of ways our career fair can benefit you.

Are you a salesperson who has been courting a company for weeks? Instead of setting up a meeting, casually chat with that company there.

Have you been wanting to invite X person from X company to speak at your company’s next event? Do you see one of their colleagues there? Ask for their contact information.

Allow our career fair to serve your purposes. We are, after all, obsessed over customer service.

If you’re interested in attending, visit aldianews.com/events to register.