Do you feel uncomfortable talking to strangers, or have you attended a networking event that makes you feel uncomfortable or simply feeling out of place?
Introverts or people who are naturally shy may find a networking event challenging. Still, networking is exceptionally important for your career or even a job search.
On many occasions, an interview is scheduled or a dream job is found through contacts and connections with the right person.
How to Network As An Introvert
If the idea of attending a networking event makes you uncomfortable or even fearful, here are some tips that you definitely find useful.
These tips may not make you a networking superstar but will help your networking experience smoother. You might even discover that networking events aren’t so bad after all.
1. One-on-one
Not all events have to be done in a group setting. While networking in a big group is natural to an extrovert. An introvert is amazing when networking one-on-one. There is more deep conservation done by an introvert when the stage is set right.
Introverts are more reserved and shy and thus they shine in a one-on-one conversation.
Communicating one-on-one can give an introvert the opportunity to show off keen listening skills, and make a solid connection.
How to connect with others one-on-one as an introvert?
Coffee dates and other one-on-one interactions are one of the best environments for an introvert to network.
If you are an introvert, simply ask your friends and colleagues to help set you up for a causal chat over a meal. You may find some interesting individuals this way.
2. Go Online
Although networking is best when it is face to face. But for introverts, it is the in-person aspect of networking events that can be challenging.
The simple idea of having the need to go up to a stranger, and strike up a conversation is enough to make anyone’s hands sweat. This is even more challenging for an introvert.
Fortunately, today we have technologies that can actually help us to network better, and without the need to talk to a stranger face to face on the get-go.
Living in the digital age we are blessed with a wide range of alternatives to in-person networking.
Get connected online
Today is the best day for an introvert like you to take your networking online!
With so many social media platforms to choose from you can create and establish a LinkedIn, Facebook, or even Twitter presence and interact with other people in your field.
3. Bring a Friend
If the networking event is near and you are feeling uncomfortable attending alone. Why don’t you just bring your best friend along?
Although networking event means getting to know someone. There is no harm in getting someone you know to help you to feel more comfortable in the networking environment.
Not sure if you have discovered this, but there is just something about knowing at least one person at an event that can make networking less stressful.
Which friend should you bring along?
In most networking events, it is OK to bring along a friend whom you are comfortable with, what’s more, it will be much more fun to experience something new with a close friend.
Every introvert has at least 1 less introvert or even an extrovert friend who always got their back. Try to bring that particular friend along with your expedition to the networking event.
You may find the networking event fruitful or even enjoyable.
4. Don’t Chase the New and Forget the Old
When you are busy networking and growing your connections day by day. Don’t forget those who are around you before you start expanding your networking circle.
Your old connections are always just as valuable as your new connections, if not even more valuable.
We human tend to just move forward but forget about who helped us to move forward.
How to connect with your old acquaintances?
Simply drop your old co-workers a message or probably a quick meetup over a cup of coffee. Some connections that were previously lost can be found this way.
Remember to keep in regular touch with the important people in your network.
Let them know, that you will be there for them whenever they need you, you don’t want to only be in touch when you need a favor from them.
5. Follow-up After Networking
When the hard part of networking where you need to meet face-to-face with a stranger is over, what should you do next?
Remember the business card you have received?
There is an email address and phone number on it.
If you think this person is worth keeping in touch with and staying connected with. It may be a good idea to drop them an email to say ‘hi’.
How to follow up after networking with a total stranger?
Make your email personalized and mention things you have talked about in your conversation.
In your email, mention things like,
- You have enjoyed the conversation, and hope the other party has enjoyed it as well.
- Your intention to keep in touch, and how you will like to be contacted in the future.
- If you have any plans for the next meetup, you can let the other party knows as well.
Do this within 3 days from the networking event, people tend to forget as times ticks.
Usually, by the time, 7 day days have passed and you have not contacted the person, he/she will probably forgotten about you.
Another simple way is to add them on social media such as LinkedIn during the networking event. Most people will accept invitations from you if they have met you in person.
6. Remember to Smile
Do you prefer to talk to someone who is frowning and grumpy or someone who is smiling and happy?
If you are like many of us, you will probably choose to talk to someone who is smiling and giving a positive vibe.
Being an introvert, you are generally a quiet person. In a networking event, there are some individuals who prefer to talk to a quiet person in a small group, than to talk to a huge group of people.
How to remember to smile?
Smiling is often a natural instinct where we express ourselves to be happy due to a certain event, or news. But for most introverts, it can be one of the hardest things to do in front of a large group of people.
When this is your first time going to a networking event or you generally don’t feel very comfortable talking to strangers.
Smiling is hard.
But…
Looking glum or sad won’t be of any help in your networking either.
Instead, try practicing smiling before going to the event, even when you are feeling uncomfortable, try to look engaged and smile more during networking.
Nod your head occasionally in agreement and give an overall positive vibe to those around you. Let yourself look open and eager to meet new people, even if you feel differently nerve-wracking inside.
You may be more charismatic than your thought you are.
7. Be Yourself
Perhaps the most important tip of all is in all networking events. Be Yourself!
It is OK to be uncomfortable when meeting new people. Everyone does! Extroverts are great communicators, but introverts are one of the best listeners.
People love to be with those who are great listeners, just be yourself in a networking event, by being an active listener.
You don’t have to be the center of all attention, in fact, you don’t even need to talk a lot at these events if there is an extrovert in the mist.
How to be yourself in a networking event?
If you are an introvert don’t worry that you have to force yourself to be in the center of attention and go out of your comfort zone in order to connect in a networking event. There are more introverts than you think.
In the United States alone, it is estimated that almost half of the population are introverts.
While in Asia Countries, the number of introverts is much more.
When you are ready, you can approach someone who is by themselves, or seems to be as lost as you are. Often, these are introverts who are just like yourself.
By finding someone who is similar to you, you will feel more comfortable in the event to be who you truly are.
Read Also:
- How to Ask Boss to Leave Work Early? (With Examples)
- How to Write a Professional Email At Work (with Examples)
- How to Introduce Yourself at Work on Your First Day (with Examples)
- How to Reply to a Meeting Invitation Request (with Examples)
- How to Reschedule a Job Interview Gracefully & Get The Job (with Examples)
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