Let us convince you: introverts are well-suited for networking. Beneath the impression that they’re “antisocial” and “shy,” introverts are great listeners and thoughtful observers who are careful about who they spend their time with and how they interact. They’re curious and present, which is often intriguing to people who don’t know them (yet).
Networking has long been established as an essential part of any career, as it is a collective effort that can help you succeed. It was initially treated as a form of interacting to exchange information and develop interactively. The process is the same today, except the challenge is where you choose to direct your attention, so that both sides contribute mutual benefits.
Sharing information and business cards – or these days, social media – has the potential to streamline your path toward your career goals. With a rolodex of names, your designated industry will shrink in size and the degrees of separation between you and who you want to be will decrease drastically. People leverage networking for business, fame or social gain, and as a way to stand out and open doors.
The paradox behind this is that introverts are understood to be reserved people who often avoid social interaction. Constant contact with others can feel draining, and rather than discuss business in a social setting, an introvert would probably prefer to be at home alone relaxing. But introverts have their own set of skills that come from this time recharging alone. The trick is to know what you bring to the table and to communicate how confident you are in your value.
It’s scientifically proven that people love to talk about themselves. Social media has fed this, carefully curating a personal brand tailored to everyone’s individual aesthetic that mimics a highlight reel. These platforms have also radically altered the nature of networking – it’s as easy as clicking “follow” to be introduced to an entirely new social circle.
And what’s great about introverts is that they typically love to listen. Rather than float around a room exchanging small talk, an introvert will take the time to get to know someone on both a professional and personal level. Meaningful relationships are formed when both parties feel equally valued, and getting to know someone on an intimate level can motivate someone to root for the other to succeed. It only takes a few connections to launch your next career move, so treat networking as investing (in people) – your energy will attract people who want to see you grow.
As an introvert you might believe it’s predetermined that you’re doomed to fail at networking. To help harness this know-how, here is a step-by step approach:
Embrace your introverted nature
In order to sidestep the pressure to be the “life of the party,” an important part of feeling comfortable in social situations is to simply be yourself. A lack of confidence is sure to translate to the people you meet, so once you feel happier in your skin you’ll feel prouder sharing that with others.
Dedicate time to meeting new people
Introverts have an advantage here. Although it’s well-known that introverts prefer to be alone, they use this time to reflect and recharge, which will make them more productive in the long run. Networking is as easy as volunteering or joining a club, and having fun together will create stronger bonds. You might even want to try making a list of the people you want to meet so that you can purposefully catch their attention.
Stay approachable
Whether it be sitting in the office kitchen for lunch or steering clear of the corner at a party, situate yourself to look like you’re ready to interact. A quiet setting will give you the opportunity to dazzle them even more. Remember to put away your phone, too.
Make future plans
Face-to-face connections are more memorable than digital interactions, so it works in your favor to schedule time (after reviving yourself with quiet time) with one person or a small group somewhere in your comfort zone. Introverts relate to people well 1:1, so to forge new bonds you can opt to escape the crowd and cast your net deeper.
Follow up
People today are flattered when they receive a “follow” or a “like” on social media, and by connecting with them digitally, they’ll be able to stay up-to-date on what you’re interested in and who you are. This will hopefully align you further with the people you meet, who will then want to introduce you to more people in their circle.
All it could take is one tiny step to be exponentially closer to achieving your ambitions, and, if anything, introverts are compatible with dedicating themselves to a goal. If you thought that networking was out of reach as an introvert, feel free to now breathe a sigh of relief. Networking isn’t a contest, and the key is that the more you do it the more you’ll loosen up. Soon enough you’ll realize how natural it is to connect with the people who will have the greatest impact on your success.
Oh, and remember to smile.
