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Networking for Job Candidates Who Hate Networking

For introverts, the thought of networking may bring sweating bullets. Contrary to their extrovert counterparts, introverts pride on their alone time and get energized from it. There are some introverts who may have good social skills, but some introverts prefer to avoid the chaos of attending social events.

Are you an introvert? Here are tips for networking at an upcoming event.

Prepare

Before you attend an event, you must be prepared. Introverts are known for their analytical skills. Use that to your advantage to achieve your goals for the event. Ask yourself these questions:

• Why are you attending the event?
• What do you want to get out of the event?
• Who are you most eager to meet and connect with at the event?

Listen Up

Introverts are (mostly) better listeners than extroverts. Use that to your advantage. Networking is all about building relationships, and one (really important) aspect of building a relationship is listening. Discover what is important to them by asking important questions. You should be listening a little more than 80% of the time during the conversation. Paraphrase what the person said, just so they know that you are truly listening to them. Even if you’re just asking questions and listening with minimal conversation, you are being an active networker.

Stay Focused

Keep your eyes on the person you are conversing with at the moment. There is nothing more frustrating to a person than seeing you scan the room for people you know.

Attending Alone

It is ok to attend events by yourself. If you do not know anyone at the event, connect with those who are standing by themselves at the walls or away from the crowd. Introduce yourself. They may be introverts or just nervous to attend an event, as well.

Remember it is all about using your skills to your advantage. Always have a way to exit out of conversations and follow-up with those you connected with at an event.

What tip(s) do you have for introverts to have a successful networking experience? Are you introverted? If so, what tactics have you successfully used in the past?

This post is part of the Career Collective effort founded by Miriam Salpeter and Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter. Other contributions this month include:

• 5 Little Secrets About Networking, @Careersherpa
• Networking: Easy as 1, 2 , 3, @WorkWithIllness
• How to Take the Intimidation Out of Networking, @heathermundell
• Networking for the Shy and Introverted, @KatCareerGal
• A tale of two networkers, @DawnBugni
• Introvert or Extrovert: Tips for the Job Search No Matter Which ‘Vert’ You Are, @erinkennedycprw
• Networking? Ugh! @resumeservice
• Network, Network, Network, @MartinBuckland @EliteResumes
• 3 ways to make networking fun for introverts and extroverts, @Keppie_Careers
• Grow Your Career Networking Seeds Organically, @ValueIntoWords
• Networking: It’s a Way of Life, @WalterAkana
• Social Media Networking & Your Career, @GayleHoward
• Networking for the Networking-Phobic, @JobHuntOrg
• Networking: Why Who You Know Doesn’t Count, @Chandlee