After the normal introductions (i.e. your name and what brought you to the event) do something crazy. Don’t ask the person what they do for work.

That’s right.

Go against the societal norm and avoid asking the question, “What do you do?”

Instead, replace it with, “I’m trying a new experiment. I read an article on a site that said I should ask people three things they love to do instead of what they do for work. Tell me, what do you love to do?”

Then, smile, listen, and watch the person you are talking to come alive.

People love to talk about things they care about. When given the opportunity to share what we enjoy, we immediately get an endorphin rush. We become happier just talking about them. What a great way to make a positive and memorable first-impression, don’t you think?

Letting someone feel good in a conversation is one of the best ways to get them to connect with us. It also makes them more likely to remember us – one of the most important elements of success in networking. Better still, after you have a great conversation, you can always go look them up on LinkedIn and invite them to connect.

At which point, you’ll both be more likely to want to know what each other does and how you can help one another professionally.

After all, you did have a great first encounter where your shared your passions and started a relationship built on positivity and trust, right?

Have you ever tried this technique? What’s the most memorable way you made a great first impression? Share your stories and thoughts below.

Your Next Step

If you liked this advice, then I encourage you to check out my new video series. Each video provides tips for executing an easier job search in this economy.

My videos are completely free and I’m confident you’re going to find them useful. The link to access the first one is below.

WATCH VIDEO NOW ►

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