How to use the first 5 minutes of networking to impress

How to use the first 5 minutes of networking to impressHow to use the first 5 minutes of networking to impressAnyone who saw the news story about the Facebook data breach likely had the same reaction.Sigh, of course that happened.Who today is surprised at a massive data leak? Maybe the Target credit card debacle gave you pause. Or the Equifax breach. But now? Security breakdowns are so common we can only shake our heads.Excuse me while I seek credit monitoring tafelgeschirrs forever.The predictable is painful. That goes for data breaches and how we interact with one another. You know what happens at a happy hour when you talk and talk?Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThe other people stand around and think Sigh, of course that happened. They become bored while you dominate the conversation.Thats why, in the first five minutes of any conversation, the smartest networkers do what n o one expects they only ask questions.Yep, the best small talkers play the role of reporter and ignore their own back-stories. How? They use the six most powerful words in networking. I include two of those powerful words in bold down below.Smart networker Where do you work?Person Im a sales rep for iHeartRadio.Smart networker Oh, cool. Whats it like to work there?Person Its a pretty cool place. We often get tickets to free concerts and access to new music.Smart networker Thats pretty sweet. What shows have you seen recently?Person Well, lets see. Back in December I saw You ask a question. And then another. And then another. Youll get to your own life soon enough. Stay in the moment.Watch what happens as the conversation ensues.Smart networker Wow, you get to see all kinds of cool concerts. Do you have to work at the shows too?Person Yea, at the show in December, I had to work the merchandise table because the company who usually handles that service dropped the ball at the last mi nute, and now were looking for another partner.Smart networker Oh, interesting. You know I work for a staffing agency and we provide employees for short-term gigs like that.Person Oh, really? Email me tomorrow and Ill put you in touch with our HR director.Do you see my point? If you remain laser focused on the other person, you will take the conversation WAY beyond Whats your name? and Where do you work? Now youre in the opportunity realm where a meaningful conversation can lead somewhere substantial.OK. Times up We reached five minutes into a networking conversation.Now what?If you want talk further, you have two options1. Wait for the person to say OK, enough about me. Tell me about you. Thats always best. You spent ample time in question mode, and now its your turn to dish out some answers.2. The person might NEVER say Tell me about you. Weve all met that guy or girl. Clueless to the world. When the person gives you a break in the conversation, interject with your own info.Thats a cool story. It reminds me of a situation at my job Heres the bottom lineWhether you have the chance to tell your lifes story or not, you already got what you came for, so to speak. You (nicely) interrogated someone else, gained knowledge you didnt have and perhaps found a way to network further.All from the first five minutes. All because you asked questions.Thiscolumnfirst appeared onDannyhRubin.com.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people