One thing I've learned is you need to have a 'mission'. You have to want to do X and describe yourself as someone who does X. If you are just wandering around

One thing I've learned is you need to have a 'mission'. You have to want to do X and describe yourself as someone who does X. If you are just wandering around telling people, "I'm a programmer...and like to do web stuff" etc. it's too vague. Definitely have an idea/project you are working on and present yourself as working on it. I guess it seems obvious--but for awhile I used to just float around at conferences just looking for interesting opportunities....but people won't really reveal them to you if they don't know what you do.