Tip Tuesday — Get your face out of your phone!

We have all been there. There is nothing worse than being in a conversation with someone and then they pull out their phone. It’s awkward and quite frankly, it can make you feel really unimportant, which is not the best impression if you are meeting someone for the first time. It’s fine if you need to take a call that you have been expecting. But, if you are just checking your phone because you want to check your news feed on Facebook, you are probably going to offend everyone around you.

You go to a networking event to connect with friends and meet new people. While you are there, you should try to have as many face to face conversations as possible. You can’t talk to other people if you are glued to your phone. I get it! We are in the information age and need to always be connected, but there is a time and a place for everything and while you are standing in a room full of people is not the best time to be on the phone with someone else.

Here are some things to consider to help you plan to be “disconnected” while you are at an event, so that you can make the most of your time meeting new people:

· Let your friends and family know that you “won’t be available from 5 to 7 p.m.” Tell them to come join you!

· Put your phone on silent to avoid any potential distraction or urge to pick the phone up if it rings or vibrates. If you need to take a call, excuse yourself and step out of the room.

· Plan to catch up on voice mails from calls you may have missed while at the event on the way home (hands-free of course)!

When you are in front of someone, give them your full attention. They will appreciate it and you will have the opportunity to get to know them.