How to Prepare for Your Upcoming Business Conference

Getting the most out of your attendance at a business conference is not just good for your career but it also demonstrates good stewardship of your company’s commitment to you and the resources that make your attendance possible.

Here are five ways to prepare for your upcoming conference so you can get the most out of it:

Dress for success. Don’t hesitate to go shopping and add something new to your wardrobe for the conference. It’s important to feel confident and often looking your best can increase your confidence level and enable you to make those important connections.

Set up contacts in advance. You might not get a list of attendees in advance, but you’ll likely know some of the speakers or panelists who will be there. Identify a few people to get in touch with prior to the conference, letting them know you’ll be attending, and try to set up lunch or even a quick coffee. 

Be clear with yourself about what you are looking to gain from the meeting.

Plan your schedule. Don’t wait until you get to the conference to decide how you’ll use your time there. Even if you’re unable to get a detailed schedule you can get a general sense for the keynote presentations that you want to attend.

Pack your business cards. Be sure to have your business cards at the ready and up-to-date with your current job title and accurate contact information.

Get rest. Conferences can be very busy and overwhelming so prepare for this by getting enough rest in advance, and if possible, take a nap on the plane if you’re flying.

Use the time away to recharge your batteries and gain some new ideas for your company and career.

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share these every weekend so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

1. Top Five Strategies for Kicking Off a Career
"Even if you think you've exhausted your parents' career advice, or that you already know everyone they could possibly be connected to, make a point to catch up with them every couple of weeks."

2. 5 Exercises to Muscle Up Your Job Search
"Here are five invigorating career exercises to try that should create momentum through conversations, cold calls, informational interviews, networking, and volunteer events."

3. 11 Great Employee Qualities: Do you Have Them?
"Manage yourself by knowing your roles and responsibilities in your company. In addition, learn to know what it takes to go a step beyond what your current role entails."

4. Four Ways to Find a job While on Vacation 
"The key is to come up with strategies for some career activities that you can do from Cancun, Austin or at home."

5. Six Ways Your Business Card Can Still Pack a Big Punch
"The more connected to the web we are, the more precious the real world is, so it is important to make a connection."

Why Post Grads Should Have a Business Card

I never thought much about business cards when I was in college or even right after graduating. I always thought that only the very professional, high up people had business cards, not recent post grads. Yet, think about it this way. Last April, I attended an event at the university I attended with one of the companies I work with as a freelancer. There were a lot of opportunities to network at this event and one of my colleagues asked if I had business cards to give out. He was shocked when I said no and actually made me write down my information on the back of his business card to give out. I'm sure that looked super unprofessional to give out written information.

Now I make sure I have business cards with me at all times. You never know when the need will strike. For example, last week I was getting my nails done at a new salon where I had a gift card. I was chatting with the nail technician about what I do and she mentioned she had been thinking of advertising and one of the websites I wrote for sounded like a good match for her to advertise. Great opportunity to give her my business card!

So how should you make your business card? These questions can help you:

What type of field are you in? If you're in a more creative field, such as graphic design, you can make your card a bit more flashy and artistic. If you want to be an accountant however, make it a little more simple and professional.

How do you want your potential employers to contact you? Some people might just want their phone numbers or email address or both on their card. I wouldn't put your home address on there just for potential safety risks.

Make your card clear, simple and always professional. It could give you an edge on other post grads that completely forgot about business cards. Tell us, why do you think post grads should have business cards and what should they add to them?