| Do you dread networking because meeting and | | | | "What do you do? How did you get into that kind of |
| talking with lots of people wears you out? Just | | | | work?" |
| because you're an introvert, you don't have to avoid | | | | "I'm always interested in where people are from? |
| networking events. You do need to find ways to | | | | Where did you live before you moved here, and |
| make them work for you. This article describes 10 | | | | what brought you to this area?" |
| ways for introverts to approach networking events | | | | "I'm also interested in people's names. What do you |
| so they don't have to avoid them and may even | | | | know about your name and where it came from?" |
| start to enjoy them. | | | | These are ideas to get you started. Notice that they |
| 1. Know what you don't like about networking. | | | | each give the conversation somewhere to go |
| This may seem like a negative way to start. But | | | | beyond a one word answer. They're also topics that |
| when you understand what bothers you about | | | | you can talk about after they've responded to your |
| something, then you can develop strategies to deal | | | | question. From there you can leapfrog to other |
| with the specific parts you don't like. | | | | topics. |
| Many people simply tell themselves, "I hate | | | | 6. Focus on being interested, not interesting. |
| networking." It's more helpful to ask yourself: "What | | | | Sometimes we put undue pressure on ourselves to |
| in particular do I dislike about it?" | | | | be interesting or charming or even impressive. Let all |
| If you reflect about your experiences, you may | | | | that go and simply be interested in getting to know |
| discover that what you dislike is the feeling of | | | | other people. That will make you far more interesting |
| walking into a room of strangers and not knowing | | | | to them than if you try to promote yourself. |
| where to start. Or you may realize that you dislike | | | | 7. Ask for their card rather than pushing your card on |
| trying to start a conversation with someone you | | | | them. |
| don't know because you feel awkward and don't | | | | The business card exchange can feel awkward and |
| know what to say. Or you may feel like everyone | | | | the easiest way around it is to ask if they have a |
| there is promoting themselves and isn't really | | | | card. But wait until you've established some rapport |
| interested in others except for what the other | | | | before asking. In most cases, they will probably ask |
| person can do for them. Or you may dread getting | | | | for yours in return. If not, you can still offer it or |
| stuck in a conversation with a talkative person and | | | | simply follow-up afterwards with a phone call or note. |
| not knowing how to get away from them. | | | | 8. Be curious. |
| If any or all of these are reasons you dislike | | | | If you cultivate an attitude of curiosity, you'll find that |
| networking, there are ways to deal with each one. | | | | you never run out of things to ask and talk about it. |
| Here are some ways: | | | | Don't interrogate people, but if you genuinely want to |
| 2. Have a plan for every networking event. | | | | know more about someone, they will feel your |
| If your plan is simply to "meet lots of people," you're | | | | interest and respond positively. |
| almost sure to feel overwhelmed and unsure about | | | | 9. Act like a host. |
| how to proceed. But what if your plan is to introduce | | | | If you don't know what else to do, make a point of |
| myself to at least 5 people, learn the basics of what | | | | putting others at ease. Introduce yourself and |
| they do and what they're interested in, and get | | | | introduce them to others. Seek out other introverts |
| business cards from at least 4 of them? Following | | | | who are standing by themselves. If you focus on |
| that plan, you can pick out 5 people, one at a time, | | | | putting people at ease, you will find the time goes |
| and go introduce yourself to them. That's not quite | | | | much faster and you will enjoy it more. Besides, if |
| so overwhelming, is it? | | | | you're being a host, you don't need to talk to anyone |
| 3. Set modest goals. | | | | too long. Want a way to extricate yourself from |
| Meeting 5 people is a modest goal for most | | | | someone? Tell them you've really enjoyed talking |
| networking events, and yet it can be enough. The | | | | with them and hope to see them again soon. There's |
| ambitious goals that cause problems are when we | | | | someone you've been wanting to catch up with so |
| think we must talk with 15 people and find at least 3 | | | | you'll see them later. |
| prospective clients to follow-up with. Take the | | | | 10. Stop comparing yourself to others. |
| pressure off yourself by setting expectations you | | | | If you realize you are comparing yourself to others |
| can meet and succeed with. | | | | by thinking how much more interesting or outgoing |
| 4. Find an ally. | | | | they look, simply stop. Remind yourself that you are |
| Walking into a room of total strangers can be | | | | a unique person who brings a particular set of gifts |
| intimidating for all but the most gregarious of | | | | and talents to the table. Someone else may be more |
| extroverts, so try to find someone you know to go | | | | outgoing. You may be more thoughtful. You can't |
| with you. Or find someone at the event that you | | | | compare. So don't. |
| know and talk with them first. Ask that person to | | | | And here's a bonus suggestion. |
| introduce you to anyone that they know. Do the | | | | 11. Make it a game. |
| same for them. Suddenly the room isn't quite so full | | | | If you can turn networking into a game instead of a |
| of strangers. | | | | serious life-and-death endeavor, you'll definitely find it |
| 5. Plan in advance with conversational starters. | | | | easier. Decide that you're going to try to find two |
| The best way to avoid awkward dead-end | | | | people with the same first name, or two people who |
| conversations about the weather or their favorite | | | | went to an Ivy League school. Or tell people you'd |
| sports team is to plan a few other ways to start. | | | | like to hear one of their favorite jokes because |
| Here are a few to consider: | | | | you're collecting them. Don't be so crazy that people |
| "This is my first time here. What about you? How did | | | | think you're weird. And don't tell people what your |
| you learn about this group?" | | | | game is, unless you want to. But if you play a game, |
| "You look familiar. Tell me a little about yourself. I'm | | | | even if nobody else knows, you just might be able |
| wondering if we may have met before?" | | | | to relax and enjoy it. |