Watts College Speed Dating

Watts College Speed Dating

Speed Networking: A Quick Way to Expand Your Professional ContactsWatts College Speed Dating Websites
Speed Dating Events
Watts College Speed Dating
Speed Dating Near Me
As most of us know, most activities for teams don't cut the mustard. In other words, they're lame. But, some do work, like 'speed dating at work'. Based around questions, this exercise works. College dating follows a completely different set of rules than any other dating scene. In high school, 'dating' can mean anything from hanging out with a group of friends to hitting the movies one-on-one. In college, 'dating' is less defined – just watching TV might count as a relationship starter. SUBSCRIBE for more! 👉👈Watch more Versus 1: brands wanting to partner with us, email: hello@jub. Think speed dating but instead of sitting across from each other at tables, you meet each other in bed — a garden bed, that is. Here's how it works: Lines of men and women face each other across a row of vegetables in need of some TLC. They weed and get to know each other.
Networking can be one of the most powerful and productive activities an individual can do to launch and manage their career. Building an interconnected group of relationships with others is at the core of a person's effectiveness both personally and professionally. In the workplace today, we need to be known to others as well as ensure that others are aware of how we might be a resource for them. Whether student, young careerist, or seasoned professional, having a network of people you can tap into for information, advice and opportunities, while sharing your own, is paramount.
Over the past five years, speed networking has emerged as a variation of traditional business networking activities for meeting people. Speed networking is a structured and fast paced networking event allowing participants to interact with others, typically in a series of brief one-on-one information exchanges. Speed networking takes its cue from speed dating, an event where individuals are allowed a short amount of time to meet a number of prospective dates, one at a time, and then choose who they would like to provide their contact information. Where interest is mutual, the contact leads to a date.

Speed networking is the business version of speed dating. However, in speed networking events, the participants readily share contact information with each other and decide themselves who they will follow up with. This type of event can provide exposure to a lot of people in a short amount of time. It is a way to let others know who you are and what you are looking for, whether new customers or clients, business or sales leads, or a new job or internship. Colleges and universities may offer speed networking events where employers and alumni are invited to meet students looking for internships, jobs, or mentors, or where alumni can meet each other. Professional associations and chambers of commerce may offer speed networking opportunities at a monthly meeting or as part of an annual conference.
Round Robin Format Moves Briskly
The typical format for speed networking is called a round robin. The event leader will usually ring a bell, sound a buzzer, or blow a whistle to indicate the beginning and end of each round. Once the round begins, you introduce yourself and your purpose for being there, share your business card and perhaps, business brochure. A few questions and answers back and forth can quickly clarify if there is any potential for a follow up phone call or meeting. At the halfway point, the conversation switches to the second person, who introduces themselves and their reason for attending. After a second exchange of information, the event leader rings a bell and you move on to the next person.
Over the next hour or two, you continue to meet individuals, one at a time. Ideally, the event culminates with time allowed for open networking, either for talking to individuals you did not get to talk to, or seeking out someone who you met during the event and continuing the conversation.
Some variations of speed networking include meeting with a succession of small groups of individuals throughout the event. Upon arrival, pre-registered participants are assigned a sequence of groups or tables to follow during the event, insuring that they are always meeting new people in each group. Another variation matches people up ahead of time based on their purpose for attending the speed networking event.
Preparation for Speed Networking
Practice a 60-second statement that includes your name, title or occupation, and what you are looking for, such as information, leads, a job or internship. Some people like speed networking because you get right to the point and there is no time for small talk.
Make sure you have a supply of business cards ready. Sometimes event planners will suggest a number; bring at least 30. If you are unemployed at the time, get business cards with your contact information and occupation printed on them.
Assemble brochures, resumes or other type of handout, if applicable.
Bring a pen, notepad, and your appointment calendar with you.
Usually attire is either business or business casual. Check with the organizers if it is not stated.
Remember that you have a few seconds to make a positive first impression.
During the Event
First of all, have fun. The fast pace of this kind of event contributes to a high level of energy in the room.
Usually 2-5 minutes are allowed for each round; the leader will inform the group about the time frame.
As you meet each person, shake hands and exchange names and business cards. Read each card as you accept it. A good system to keep the cards organized: keep your business cards in one jacket pocket, and the business cards given to you in the other.
The first person introduces themselves and their purpose, and a very brief conversation takes place.
Be extremely aware of the time factor so the second person doesn't get their time cut short. Talking too long in a situation like this is highly insensitive and damages your first impression.
Take notes on the back of your partner's business card. This may include notes on how they look or what they are wearing to help you remember them.
Suggest a next step, if appropriate. You will not have time to schedule a phone call or meeting, so follow up the next day will be important.
Above all, respect the process. At the signal, end your conversation immediately and move, or allow the other person to move, to next person. You can always continue conversations later.
After the speed networking event, review the business cards of the individuals you met and scan or enter the information into the contact database software you may use. Send an email within 24-48 hours to each person you want to follow up with. Better yet, make a phone call to continue the conversation or book a meeting or lunch to move the relationship along.
Outcomes
Certainly, one of the goals of speed networking is to meet new individuals who can directly be of help to you. But your goal shouldn't stop there. Each person you meet has a network of individuals they know, and it may be one of those persons who will be a good match for you. By meeting individuals during the course of a speed networking event, you potentially 'plug in' to the people they know, greatly extending your ability to connect with individuals related to your goals.
To be effective at your job, manage your career, and find new opportunities, it's not just what you know and what you can do, but also who you know. Speed networking can be another tool in your professional toolkit to contribute to your success.
If the dating scene in your town has you and your single friends longing for the days of arranged marriages, or if you're happily attached and ready to take your matchmaking urges to the next level, it may be time to consider hosting a speed dating event.
Speed dating has been around since 1999, when Rabbi Yaacov Deyo and several of his single students put a new twist on the longstanding Jewish tradition of introducing young Jewish singles to one another at chaperoned gatherings. At a speed dating event, participants are paired up in a series of quick five- to seven-minute 'dates.' When the time is up, a bell or timer is rung, and participants move on to their next one-on-one conversation.
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While seven minutes may not seem long enough to determine whether a new acquaintance is a potential match, Rabbi Deyo and other speed dating organizers have found that it gives participants plenty of time to gauge their level of interest or get a feeling that the other person is just not the right fit. As an added bonus, the round-robin setup enables participants to meet more potential matches in one evening than they might otherwise encounter in a month or more of traditional dating.
Speed dating services can be found in just about any major city, but there's no need to wait for the next scheduled meet-up in your area. Our tips for hosting a speed dating event will help you organize a gathering that's fun, relaxing and fruitful for participants while preserving your sanity at the same time.
Advertisement
Contents

Make a List -- You'll probably want to start by making a list of all the single people you know. Don't worry if you don't have enough singles in your contacts list to fill the entire event; after all, if you did, you probably wouldn't need to speed date. Ask your friends (married friends, too!) to suggest single acquaintances or coworkers who might be interested. The more you're able to reach beyond your usual social circles, the better, since the whole idea is to give speed daters the chance to connect with someone new. Shoot for about 20 guests, with an even split between males and females. Too large a group makes for a long, unmanageable evening; too small and you're in for an awkward gathering with fewer possibilities for compatible pairings. If your own connections come up short, try posting a flyer at your church, workplace or gym, or creating a Facebook event and asking friends to spread the word.
Pick a Venue -- The site of your speed dating event will help to set the tone, so be sure to choose wisely. Consider the noise factor and the ambiance, and avoid any place that's too loud, too bright, too dark, or likely to be deserted or overly crowded. At the same time, try to match your venue to your intended crowd. A swanky martini bar may appeal to established 30- or 40-something professionals, but the atmosphere (and the price!) could be a turnoff for recent college grads. Hosting the event at your home can help to keep costs down, but if you're participating as a dater or if you don't know all the guests, it's safer to meet everyone in a public, more neutral setting.
Don't Forget the Basics -- In many ways, planning for a speed dating event is similar to planning for a cocktail party. If you plan to serve food, ask the restaurant or caterer to prepare simple appetizers that are easy to eat in small bites. Nothing too messy or awkward, and please, nothing with garlic! Keep cocktails light and sophisticated, and consider limiting the bar choices to beer and wine; this isn't the time for shots. Plan to provide enough for about two to three drinks per person -- enough to calm nerves or cut through the social anxiety, but not enough to lead to next-day regrets!
Send Out Invitations -- You should try to do it at least three weeks before the event, and ask participants to RSVP so that you can get a head count. It's fine to charge a reasonable admission fee to cover your costs, and many online invitation sites allow you to collect the fee when guests RSVP; just make sure the invitation is clear about the cost of attending and whether food and drinks are included in the price.
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Give 'Em Something to Talk About -- Before the event, come up with a few discussion topics and questions to get conversations flowing. (See our suggested questions on the next page!) You can hand out a short list of questions to each guest or leave a few conversation starters on index cards at every table. While you don't want participants to feel as though they're reading from a script, it can be helpful for daters to have a quick list to refer to if their nerves leave them tongue-tied.
Sweat the Details -- Create spaces that are conducive to one-on-one conversations. Small bar tables or other two-person seating arrangements are ideal. Think about the logistics of moving speed daters from one conversation to the next. One possibility is to have the ladies stay put while gentlemen move up or down (table numbers may make this go more smoothly). Provide name tags for participants (first name only or first name and last initial), as well as clipboards, pens and comment cards so that daters can keep track of the people they meet. Comment cards should provide space for participants to list the name of each new acquaintance along with an answer to the question, 'Would you like to see this person again?' Cards are kept anonymous and returned to you at the end of the event. If (and only if!) there is a mutual interest, you can then share contact information with the interested parties.
Establish the Ground Rules -- Be sure participants know how long each conversation will be, what to do when the bell rings and what happens at the end of the speed dating session. If any questions or topics are off limits, be sure to say so. In the original speed dating program started by Rabbi Deyo, participants are instructed to stay away from any variation of, 'What do you do?' or 'Where do you live?'
Let the Speed Dating Begin! -- Remember your timer, and keep dates to seven minutes each. Longer sessions slow down the flow of the event and increase the likelihood of awkward silences between daters. Take a 10-minute break halfway through the speed dating sessions, and allow a bit of time at the beginning and end of the event for guests to mingle. Most of all, have fun!
As promised, we have plenty of suggested speed dating questions on the next page to help you get things started.
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As with any first date, the object of a speed date is to determine if the person sitting across from you is someone you'd like to know better. The difference is that you have just seven minutes to make that decision (and to make a good impression on your date), so start with the questions that matter most to you. We've included a few basics here, but you and the guests at your event might be better advised to skip the small talk and go right to the important stuff, like 'What's your favorite breakfast cereal to eat for dinner?'
The Basics

What are your favorite hobbies/interests?
Do you have any pets? Siblings? Roommates?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
For a Little More InsightAre you an indoor person or an outdoor person? (Or a city person or a country person?)
What would your dream vacation be?
What's your favorite travel destination?
What would your dream job be?
What did you do last weekend?
Are you a night owl or an early riser?
What was the last book you read?
What's your favorite Web site to waste time on?
Creative ApproachesWatts College Speed Dating WebsitesIf they made a movie about your life, would it be a drama or a comedy?
Who was your favorite superhero when you were little?
Who is your favorite comedian?
What is your favorite guilty-pleasure food (or music, or movie, or TV show)?
What's the perfect midnight snack?
Star Wars or Star Trek? The original Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, or the Johnny Depp remake? Sudoku or Words with Friends? Pirates or ninjas (and why)? Should brownies be made with nuts or without?
Questions to AvoidAnything too personal, including their address
Anything too clichéd, especially, 'So, what do you do?' If the question is allowed, everyone else will have already asked it, and some people find it rude, as though you're more interested in their status than in who they are as a person.
Questions about salary or economic background
Questions about past relationships

Speed networking is the business version of speed dating. However, in speed networking events, the participants readily share contact information with each other and decide themselves who they will follow up with. This type of event can provide exposure to a lot of people in a short amount of time. It is a way to let others know who you are and what you are looking for, whether new customers or clients, business or sales leads, or a new job or internship. Colleges and universities may offer speed networking events where employers and alumni are invited to meet students looking for internships, jobs, or mentors, or where alumni can meet each other. Professional associations and chambers of commerce may offer speed networking opportunities at a monthly meeting or as part of an annual conference.
Round Robin Format Moves Briskly
The typical format for speed networking is called a round robin. The event leader will usually ring a bell, sound a buzzer, or blow a whistle to indicate the beginning and end of each round. Once the round begins, you introduce yourself and your purpose for being there, share your business card and perhaps, business brochure. A few questions and answers back and forth can quickly clarify if there is any potential for a follow up phone call or meeting. At the halfway point, the conversation switches to the second person, who introduces themselves and their reason for attending. After a second exchange of information, the event leader rings a bell and you move on to the next person.
Over the next hour or two, you continue to meet individuals, one at a time. Ideally, the event culminates with time allowed for open networking, either for talking to individuals you did not get to talk to, or seeking out someone who you met during the event and continuing the conversation.
Some variations of speed networking include meeting with a succession of small groups of individuals throughout the event. Upon arrival, pre-registered participants are assigned a sequence of groups or tables to follow during the event, insuring that they are always meeting new people in each group. Another variation matches people up ahead of time based on their purpose for attending the speed networking event.
Preparation for Speed Networking
Practice a 60-second statement that includes your name, title or occupation, and what you are looking for, such as information, leads, a job or internship. Some people like speed networking because you get right to the point and there is no time for small talk.
Make sure you have a supply of business cards ready. Sometimes event planners will suggest a number; bring at least 30. If you are unemployed at the time, get business cards with your contact information and occupation printed on them.
Assemble brochures, resumes or other type of handout, if applicable.
Bring a pen, notepad, and your appointment calendar with you.
Usually attire is either business or business casual. Check with the organizers if it is not stated.
Remember that you have a few seconds to make a positive first impression.
During the Event
First of all, have fun. The fast pace of this kind of event contributes to a high level of energy in the room.
Usually 2-5 minutes are allowed for each round; the leader will inform the group about the time frame.
As you meet each person, shake hands and exchange names and business cards. Read each card as you accept it. A good system to keep the cards organized: keep your business cards in one jacket pocket, and the business cards given to you in the other.
The first person introduces themselves and their purpose, and a very brief conversation takes place.
Be extremely aware of the time factor so the second person doesn't get their time cut short. Talking too long in a situation like this is highly insensitive and damages your first impression.
Take notes on the back of your partner's business card. This may include notes on how they look or what they are wearing to help you remember them.
Suggest a next step, if appropriate. You will not have time to schedule a phone call or meeting, so follow up the next day will be important.
Above all, respect the process. At the signal, end your conversation immediately and move, or allow the other person to move, to next person. You can always continue conversations later.
After the speed networking event, review the business cards of the individuals you met and scan or enter the information into the contact database software you may use. Send an email within 24-48 hours to each person you want to follow up with. Better yet, make a phone call to continue the conversation or book a meeting or lunch to move the relationship along.
Outcomes
Certainly, one of the goals of speed networking is to meet new individuals who can directly be of help to you. But your goal shouldn't stop there. Each person you meet has a network of individuals they know, and it may be one of those persons who will be a good match for you. By meeting individuals during the course of a speed networking event, you potentially 'plug in' to the people they know, greatly extending your ability to connect with individuals related to your goals.
To be effective at your job, manage your career, and find new opportunities, it's not just what you know and what you can do, but also who you know. Speed networking can be another tool in your professional toolkit to contribute to your success.
If the dating scene in your town has you and your single friends longing for the days of arranged marriages, or if you're happily attached and ready to take your matchmaking urges to the next level, it may be time to consider hosting a speed dating event.
Speed dating has been around since 1999, when Rabbi Yaacov Deyo and several of his single students put a new twist on the longstanding Jewish tradition of introducing young Jewish singles to one another at chaperoned gatherings. At a speed dating event, participants are paired up in a series of quick five- to seven-minute 'dates.' When the time is up, a bell or timer is rung, and participants move on to their next one-on-one conversation.
Advertisement
While seven minutes may not seem long enough to determine whether a new acquaintance is a potential match, Rabbi Deyo and other speed dating organizers have found that it gives participants plenty of time to gauge their level of interest or get a feeling that the other person is just not the right fit. As an added bonus, the round-robin setup enables participants to meet more potential matches in one evening than they might otherwise encounter in a month or more of traditional dating.
Speed dating services can be found in just about any major city, but there's no need to wait for the next scheduled meet-up in your area. Our tips for hosting a speed dating event will help you organize a gathering that's fun, relaxing and fruitful for participants while preserving your sanity at the same time.
Advertisement
Contents
Make a List -- You'll probably want to start by making a list of all the single people you know. Don't worry if you don't have enough singles in your contacts list to fill the entire event; after all, if you did, you probably wouldn't need to speed date. Ask your friends (married friends, too!) to suggest single acquaintances or coworkers who might be interested. The more you're able to reach beyond your usual social circles, the better, since the whole idea is to give speed daters the chance to connect with someone new. Shoot for about 20 guests, with an even split between males and females. Too large a group makes for a long, unmanageable evening; too small and you're in for an awkward gathering with fewer possibilities for compatible pairings. If your own connections come up short, try posting a flyer at your church, workplace or gym, or creating a Facebook event and asking friends to spread the word.
Pick a Venue -- The site of your speed dating event will help to set the tone, so be sure to choose wisely. Consider the noise factor and the ambiance, and avoid any place that's too loud, too bright, too dark, or likely to be deserted or overly crowded. At the same time, try to match your venue to your intended crowd. A swanky martini bar may appeal to established 30- or 40-something professionals, but the atmosphere (and the price!) could be a turnoff for recent college grads. Hosting the event at your home can help to keep costs down, but if you're participating as a dater or if you don't know all the guests, it's safer to meet everyone in a public, more neutral setting.
Don't Forget the Basics -- In many ways, planning for a speed dating event is similar to planning for a cocktail party. If you plan to serve food, ask the restaurant or caterer to prepare simple appetizers that are easy to eat in small bites. Nothing too messy or awkward, and please, nothing with garlic! Keep cocktails light and sophisticated, and consider limiting the bar choices to beer and wine; this isn't the time for shots. Plan to provide enough for about two to three drinks per person -- enough to calm nerves or cut through the social anxiety, but not enough to lead to next-day regrets!
Send Out Invitations -- You should try to do it at least three weeks before the event, and ask participants to RSVP so that you can get a head count. It's fine to charge a reasonable admission fee to cover your costs, and many online invitation sites allow you to collect the fee when guests RSVP; just make sure the invitation is clear about the cost of attending and whether food and drinks are included in the price.
Advertisement
Give 'Em Something to Talk About -- Before the event, come up with a few discussion topics and questions to get conversations flowing. (See our suggested questions on the next page!) You can hand out a short list of questions to each guest or leave a few conversation starters on index cards at every table. While you don't want participants to feel as though they're reading from a script, it can be helpful for daters to have a quick list to refer to if their nerves leave them tongue-tied.
Sweat the Details -- Create spaces that are conducive to one-on-one conversations. Small bar tables or other two-person seating arrangements are ideal. Think about the logistics of moving speed daters from one conversation to the next. One possibility is to have the ladies stay put while gentlemen move up or down (table numbers may make this go more smoothly). Provide name tags for participants (first name only or first name and last initial), as well as clipboards, pens and comment cards so that daters can keep track of the people they meet. Comment cards should provide space for participants to list the name of each new acquaintance along with an answer to the question, 'Would you like to see this person again?' Cards are kept anonymous and returned to you at the end of the event. If (and only if!) there is a mutual interest, you can then share contact information with the interested parties.
Establish the Ground Rules -- Be sure participants know how long each conversation will be, what to do when the bell rings and what happens at the end of the speed dating session. If any questions or topics are off limits, be sure to say so. In the original speed dating program started by Rabbi Deyo, participants are instructed to stay away from any variation of, 'What do you do?' or 'Where do you live?'
Let the Speed Dating Begin! -- Remember your timer, and keep dates to seven minutes each. Longer sessions slow down the flow of the event and increase the likelihood of awkward silences between daters. Take a 10-minute break halfway through the speed dating sessions, and allow a bit of time at the beginning and end of the event for guests to mingle. Most of all, have fun!
As promised, we have plenty of suggested speed dating questions on the next page to help you get things started.
Advertisement
As with any first date, the object of a speed date is to determine if the person sitting across from you is someone you'd like to know better. The difference is that you have just seven minutes to make that decision (and to make a good impression on your date), so start with the questions that matter most to you. We've included a few basics here, but you and the guests at your event might be better advised to skip the small talk and go right to the important stuff, like 'What's your favorite breakfast cereal to eat for dinner?'
The BasicsWhat are your favorite hobbies/interests?
Do you have any pets? Siblings? Roommates?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
For a Little More InsightAre you an indoor person or an outdoor person? (Or a city person or a country person?)
What would your dream vacation be?
What's your favorite travel destination?
What would your dream job be?
What did you do last weekend?
Are you a night owl or an early riser?
What was the last book you read?
What's your favorite Web site to waste time on?
Creative ApproachesWatts College Speed Dating WebsitesIf they made a movie about your life, would it be a drama or a comedy?
Who was your favorite superhero when you were little?
Who is your favorite comedian?
What is your favorite guilty-pleasure food (or music, or movie, or TV show)?
What's the perfect midnight snack?
Star Wars or Star Trek? The original Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, or the Johnny Depp remake? Sudoku or Words with Friends? Pirates or ninjas (and why)? Should brownies be made with nuts or without?
Questions to AvoidAnything too personal, including their address
Anything too clichéd, especially, 'So, what do you do?' If the question is allowed, everyone else will have already asked it, and some people find it rude, as though you're more interested in their status than in who they are as a person.
Questions about salary or economic background
Questions about past relationships
Of course, the most insightful questions will often be the ones your guests come up with on their own, so encourage them to be creative and ask questions that will help them get to the root of what's most important to them.
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For more ideas about hosting a speed dating event, check out the resources on the next page.
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Related ArticlesWatts College Speed DatingSourcesSpeed Dating Near MeAbraham, Rakhi. 'The 45 best speed dating questions you can ask a prospective date.' (March 18, 2012) http://www.futurescopes.com/speed-dating/139/45-best-speed-dating-questions-you-can-ask-prospective-date
Deyo, Sue and Yaacov Deyo. 'SpeedDating Tip #3: Inappropriate Date Topics.' (March 18, 2012) http://www.aish.com/d/w/48937777.html
Ditch or Date. 'How it Works.' (March 18, 2012) http://www.ditchordate.com/how-it-works.php
New York EasyDates. 'Quirky Questions for a Memorable Date.' Sept. 22, 2009. (March 18, 2012) http://www.nyeasydates.com/blog/speed_dating_tips_and_statistics/quirky_questions_for_a_memorable_date.html
NPR.org. 'Speed Dating with Yaacov and Sue Deyo.' Aug. 17, 2005. (March 18, 2012) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4803880
Original Dating. 'The History of Speed Dating.' (March 18, 2012) http://www.originaldating.com/HistoryofSpeeddating.htm
Smart Dating UK. 'Speed Dating Questions.' (March 18, 2012) http://www.smartdatinguk.com/speed-dating-questions.asp