5 Networking Event Tips for Introverts
Being an introvert is a networking strength!
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What do you do if the mere mention of networking makes you cringe?
Know that you’re not alone. Up to half of Americans are introverts, according to Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.
As someone who used to struggle with social anxiety, here are six tips that have helped me go from being too intimidated to ask where the ladies’ room is to establishing long-lasting professional relationships.
Networking is essential for thriving in your career and no matter who you are these networking tips for introverts will help!
1. Get to the networking event early.
Picture two scenarios: In the first, you arrive midway through a large networking event to find a room full of people deep in conversation. In the second, you’re one of the first people to arrive, so you meet the hosts, who then introduce you to the other few people there. An introvert might like the anonymity of blending into the crowd in the first scenario, but the second offers a less stressful opportunity to connect.
When you arrive early to an event, you’re less frazzled and can get the lay of the land. You’re also more likely to meet the organizers, who will serve as great contacts. They’ll want to see people mingling at their event, so they’ll be apt to introduce you to others. Even if the hosts don’t personally introduce you, it’s easier to enter a small group than to break into a larger one. That small group is probably looking for a new person to meet—and that person is you!
2. Give yourself permission not to talk to the entire room.
There’s usually at least one person in the crowd who makes it their mission to meet every single person in the room. Sometimes these people are social butterflies who are eager to truly connect with people and may even help introduce you to other people in the process. Usually, though, they’re more like vultures, circling the perimeter and then “preying” on people by interrupting conversations to talk about themselves.
Focus on introducing yourself to the people you actually want to meet. It’s more valuable to make genuine connections with four people who will remember you and what you can offer as a colleague than it is to meet forty people who won’t remember you at all. People you’ve had authentic conversations with will be more invested in helping you achieve your career goals.
3. Use the buddy system.
An extroverted wing-woman can offer support and help introduce you to new people. Just make sure you don’t latch on to this person. Instead, occasionally check in on each other. Let them know what type of people you’re hoping to meet. If they happen to encounter someone in that position or with that opening, they know to introduce you.
If you decide to fly solo at an event, you can still work the buddy system. Once you’ve established a connection with someone who may also be attending alone, you can take turns introducing each other to new people. This makes introductions much more natural. It also allows you to potentially double the amount of people you meet.
4. Don’t worry about talking about yourself.
It may sound counterintuitive to focus on someone else when networking, but shifting your focus to the person you’re talking with has psychological and business benefits. Asking the other person what their needs allows you to build a rapport, and by listening to their answers, you’ll be able to discern how your skill set can best help their business. It’s a win–win. They no longer have to use their imagination to figure out if your cold-pitch matches their business needs. Instead, you’ll be able to offer them the solution they’ve been looking for because you’ve actually listened to their needs.
5. Get the other person’s business card.
Ever meet someone whose sole goal seems to be to get rid of every last one of their business cards? Anyone who does this is the human equivalent of a pop-up ad: intrusive and insincere. Only once you’ve established a meaningful connection with someone should you exchange business cards.
Flatter others by asking for their cards. This not only ensures you can keep the conversation going afterward, it also means that when you follow up, you come across as confident, proactive, and organized. This allows you to operate from your position of strength: from your quiet home, you’ll be able to take your time as you write an email to your new contact. Drop them a line letting them know you enjoyed the conversation, bringing up something you talked about together. Then, let them know if there’s a specific way you can offer help, before making your polite request—whether it’s to meet for coffee or if they could introduce you to their hiring manager for the job opening they’d mentioned.
Being an introvert is a networking strength!
Stephanie Nikolopoulos is the coauthor, with Paul Maher Jr., of Burning Furiously Beautiful. For more information, visit: StephanieNikolopoulos.com.
This post was published on March 2, 2019, and has since been updated.
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In a recent interview, Scott Uhrig at Agile.Careers explained that “Roughly 80% of jobs are never posted–probably closer to 90% for more senior jobs. The competition for posted jobs is insane…the best jobs are almost never posted.” If a job isn’t posted, you’re going to have a pretty hard time applying for it online. So how do you get to the jobs that aren’t ever posted? The answer is simple: networking.
Recent studies done by LinkedIn show that nearly 85% of people have used networking to find or obtain a job. If jobs aren’t posted online, you’ll need to leverage your connections to get inside knowledge about positions pertaining to your career. This task sounds daunting, but if you take initiative, it’s a fairly simple process.
Surround yourself with industry professionals whom you enjoy
While you might find friends at work, that isn’t always the case, so it’s important to put yourself in situations where you can meet others and build new friendships (or at the very least, make new connections).
Attending networking events in your field of work is a great way to meet people in your field and gather inside knowledge on potential jobs. While you may not be connecting with the people at your office, industry events give you the opportunity to find others in your field who you mesh with. If you enjoy what you do, finding others who enjoy it as well will hugely benefit you.
No idea how to find networking events in your area? Check out the links below to figure out what’s right for you!
- Create + Cultivate (we host local pop up events on top of our conferences!)
- Six Degrees Society
- Career Contessa
- Levo League
Often networking organizations have local chapters so you get to know people in your area. This is a bonus if you’ve recently made or plan to make a big move and are trying to meet new people!
Join a professional organization
This doesn’t just mean attending networking events. Joining a professional organization that is specific to your line of work gives you access to networking events, industry insights, job opportunities, and gives you up to date information about the job market. As an added bonus, professional affiliations look great on your resume! Finding an organization might take a bit of research, but almost every industry has an organization which has huge benefits for members.
Here are a few examples:
- PIHRA- Professionals In Human Resources Association
- National Student Nurses Association
- Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches
- American Marketing Association
There are associations and memberships for almost every profession you can think of. It might take a little digging, but just utilize your google search skills and you’ll easily find something that works for your needs. If you do become a member/affiliate, make sure you take advantage of all the perks. Join online or in person groups, connect with others in your industry, and sign up for newsletters so you can get the latest industry information.
Ask for an introduction
This can seem awkward if you’re not used to it, but asking someone for an introduction to a mutual connection or friend can benefit you greatly. Browse LinkedIn for people who work at a company you’re interested in or hold a position that you’d like to gather more information about and see if you have any mutual friends. I recently had a friend ask for an introduction on LinkedIn, which led to a great conversation about a potential job opportunity. Recent studies show that as humans, our first impulse is to help others, so introducing two connections with the goal of helping one party will likely pan out well.
More specifically, people often are more likely to help those that they have a connection with, so acknowledging a mutual friend or acquaintance will help with that as well. There’s a reason that the saying “squeaky wheel gets the oil” is so common. Asking for an introduction may force you out of your comfort zone, but the worst thing that can happen is that someone will say “no.” In the long run, the benefits of asking for an introduction far outweigh the potential downside.
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Networking is has always been important, but as the online job search becomes more and more daunting, networking is more crucial than ever before. This simple skill is something that will help you further develop your career, make new connections, and potentially land you the job of your dreams. If you’re not currently networking to help with your job search, use these three tactics to help you get in the game and improve your networking skills for the better.
A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your resume, style, and boost your confidence.
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