It can be scary to be an introvert in the corporate or business world. I know from personal experience, there are days that I have to force myself to join in on conversations in the office.
We’ve all heard for years that getting ahead in your career is all about making connections, but how do you do that if you’re more comfortable avoiding small talk and shying away from the crowds that always seems to zap the energy you started the day with? It may be hard at first, but it’s not impossible, and it’ll get easier with practice.
Here are four actionable networking tips for introverts:
1. Separate the crowd into categories
When you walk into a large meeting or networking event, the first step is to mentally separate everyone into groups. You can easily identify the people you’re already friends with, so do that first. Next, look for people that you want to talk to and then people that you don’t want to talk to.
Now that you have clearly defined groups, you can make conversation with the people that you’re already friends or business acquaintances with and look for opportunities to ask them to introduce you to people that you want to talk to that they know. These connections will feel more natural and easy-going than having to walk right up to strangers alone.
2. Network for one hour at a time
One of the things that we deal with as introverts is that we tend to lose energy after being around other people for extended periods of time. This has nothing to do with the company we keep, it’s just how our brains operate, just like the way extroverts gain energy as they interact with others.
If you spend more than an hour trying to network, you’ll lose steam and have trouble focusing. Make the most of your 60 minutes by connecting with the right people, avoiding long or off-topic conversations, and giving all of your energy and focus to the connections that you actually want to make. This is one of the effective networking tips for introverts to try.
3. Use your natural active listening skills to your advantage
Introverts naturally tend to take a backseat in the conversation and allow others to stand in the spotlight. This isn’t a bad thing here! Of course, you should slip in a few things about yourself when you see a natural opening, but showing your new connection that you’re actively listening and interested in what they have to say will make you stick out in their mind after you leave.
That new contact won’t be interested in the loud networker that talked over them and rambled on about their qualifications. They will, however, be interested in the person that was clearly listening to what they had to say and carried the conversation with thought provoking questions rather than shouted brags.
4. Dress to stand out
This one might be difficult because introverts often dress to blend in, but it’s worth the extra effort. If there is something unique about you, what you’re wearing, or an accessory you’re carrying, people will naturally want to approach you and start a conversation. This is one of the most natural ways to make a connection.
For example, I went to a networking event last year and I brought my phone in a case that was designed to look like a well-stamped library card. I didn’t have pockets, so I left it facedown on the table in front of me. A woman a table over noticed it and approached me to ask about it, which naturally led to a conversation about books, and then to our favorite books for female entrepreneurs. This unique phone case helped create a natural, seamless, and valuable connection.
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