Teach Me to Schmooze

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OK, so in a week or two I'm going to be doing some volunteer work with an organization where I would really really like to have a fulltime paying job. I have no idea if I'll be in contact with any of the brass while I'm there, but if I am, what do I do to make sure that when I come in to apply for a job, they'll know who I am? Note: I am really bad at schmoozing, tooting my own horn, whatever, and I'm pretty sure this would be inappropriate at this point anyways. Do I just introduce myself, shake hands, make pleasant conversation, and hope that's enough? Or something more drastic?

― Nick A. (Nick A.), Friday, 11 April 2003 18:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Ask plenty of questions right off the bat and even if you're not interested, SEEM reasonably so, and eventually the convo will turn around to you: at this point it is important to resist claiming that your achievements and passions are crap.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Friday, 11 April 2003 19:15 (twenty-two years ago)

My advice would be to work your butt off doing any task, no matter how lowly or undesireable, offer to do things no one else wants to do or, better yet, anticipate with common sense what would be helpful to people and just do it. If you demonstrate that you are actually helpful to the organization and willing to pay your dues, the non-brass who work there will make sure the brass knows about it.

― felicity (felicity), Friday, 11 April 2003 19:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Being friendly to all, and interested, and doing a good job and working hard are all good advice. Without knowing the detailed nature of the organisation it's hard to say much more - spotting who are the people who make the decisions happen (which isn't all down to the organisational chart - the classic example is a boss's PA being often very important), and what they might want, what skills they are missing or think they need more of, can be useful.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 11 April 2003 19:49 (twenty-two years ago)

yes, great advice so far. Also do plenty of research on the organization and its people...it's the best when you can work people's interests into a conversation w/o them knowing that you already know their interests.

― teeny (teeny), Friday, 11 April 2003 19:52 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't really want to give details on the organization, but I think that the volunteer work is going to be pretty definite and limiting, I'm not really going to have much room to show initiative or creativity within the work itself. But this is good advice. Keep it up.

― Nick A. (Nick A.), Friday, 11 April 2003 19:54 (twenty-two years ago)

If you can't show initiative, show enthusiasm and willingness. I didn't mean to be fishing for more info for me, I just mean there are some things that only you can spot, like what I said about who is important even if they don't have 'Manager' in their job title.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 11 April 2003 20:01 (twenty-two years ago)

That's cool, Martin, I appreciate any advice. I didn't think you were fishing for info, and I'm sure more details would help, but I'd rather keep things fairly general.

― Nick A. (Nick A.), Friday, 11 April 2003 20:03 (twenty-two years ago)

No, the point is more details help YOU, not me!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 11 April 2003 20:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Smile. Look them in the eye. And be clean and neatly dressed (not that I expect you to show up as a bum).

― Jeanne Fury (Jeanne Fury), Saturday, 12 April 2003 23:26 (twenty-two years ago)

fantastic advice so far.... tho' may i point out, spurious advice, if you are born without the schmoozing gene....the easy friendliness, the glibness, the endless "eureka!" of what to say next, the lack of interest in small talk etc.

good luck!

― jeanne picot (jeanne picot), Sunday, 13 April 2003 02:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Grow tits, wear a low-cut top every day and suck the chief's dick

― Millar (Millar), Sunday, 13 April 2003 03:03 (twenty-two years ago)

I think jeanne is only partly right. Yes, people have these abilities naturally to very differing degrees, but everyone can try to be a bit friendlier, to work a bit harder, to be a touch more cheerful, whatever their starting position.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 13 April 2003 09:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Trust me, Millar, that doesn't get you very far.

― Ally (mlescaut), Sunday, 13 April 2003 23:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Whatever you do, Nick, don't try to use sex to get yourself in!

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Monday, 14 April 2003 12:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Another thing to keep in mind: if the situation is right, you like the people, they like you, respect is mutual, you honestly enjoy being there and learning, you won't have to schmooze, it will all come naturally.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 14 April 2003 19:41 (twenty-two years ago)

NO! Don't do what comes naturally! (ha ha)

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Monday, 14 April 2003 19:44 (twenty-two years ago)

one year passes...

People in bands: do you schmooze? How do you do it?

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 11 April 2005 19:51 (twenty years ago)

Ugh. This is the hardest part. I just look for some kind of synergy rather than actively schmoozing. Making conversation only with people I find interesting doesn't get me ahead, but it enhances my quality of life insofar as I have interesting friends.

― moley, Monday, 11 April 2005 20:57 (twenty years ago)

Sometimes I'm good at schmoozing. I've made some contacts and I've had perfectly nice, calm conversations with some famous musicians.

On the other hand, sometimes I'm just awkward and incapable, and I shudder to recall a couple of conversations with other musicians (both well-known and not).

― Jordan (Jordan), Monday, 11 April 2005 21:01 (twenty years ago)

I just smile and talk to people like I give a shit. It works, and sometimes, it almost seems authentic!

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Monday, 11 April 2005 22:36 (twenty years ago)

Too bad you're not at my school. There's a "schmoozing dinner" for juniors and seniors next week at which you go to practice this. (This just blows my mind.)

― Maria (Maria), Monday, 11 April 2005 22:42 (twenty years ago)

A knowledge of current sports, especially that of the local university, is more than helpful as well.

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Monday, 11 April 2005 22:47 (twenty years ago)

People in bands: do you schmooze? How do you do it?

it is painful. I don't drink so it's doubly painful. I don't know, there's only so many times you can say "yeah I played there and the sound sucks. no we aren't recording we're broke." luckily most other people are nice and genuine. running into the occasional stuck up asshole will put a big damper on it though.

― kyle (akmonday), Monday, 11 April 2005 22:51 (twenty years ago)

eleven years pass...

important thing is to schm sufficiently but not ooze too much

― loudmouth darraghmac ween (darraghmac), Friday, 9 December 2016 22:19 (nine years ago)

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