Military Careers, Second Careers - Air Force Times

Tricks for remembering names

Remembering someone’s name is an important aspect of starting your career. This skill will allow you to network within a company.

Using people’s names during conversation raises their attentiveness and adds a special importance to what you’re saying or asking and can be useful during a job hunt. To new acquaintances, it sends the message that they are important.

These tips could help you remember all those new names on interview day.

Look and listen

Get a solid mental image of the person. Pay close attention to what he says because you’re not only trying to remember a name, you want to remember the person.

Let impressions last

After you’ve met someone, use first impressions to help match new names with faces. If you met Larry and he was tall, use that; if Bob was funny, use that.

Use repetition

Say the person’s name after you hear it. “It was very nice to meet you, Michael,” or “Talk to you soon, Michael.” After your conversation, repeat the name to yourself a few times.

Establish an association

Make a connection between the person’s name and a recognizable image. Make sure this image has as much detail as possible. This will help make it memorable.

Write it down

The act of writing has been known to help people remember. Writing the name down will also give you a reference to refer to.