Tips for Overcoming Shyness at Networking Events

How I "network" in-person (as an introverted designer): As someone who isn't naturally extroverted and prefers time alone, I've developed some simple reminders so connecting with others at events is easier. 👋 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂) • I try to introduce myself to anyone within a few feet radius • You have to act on this quickly (or then it's weird 🙈) • Generally I find people are so relieved not to have to make the first move • If someone is hovering near a group you're in, be the one to introduce yourself and everyone in your circle and bring them into the conversation 💬 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 • Most people won't remember a thing you said • You can literally talk about anything that interests you or them • Keep going and you're bound to find some common ground • Assuming you're at a design event, you've already got one broad overlap 🏃 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗢𝗞 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 • You don't have to try to keep a conversation going endlessly • If there's a natural lull, you can politely exit • An easy out is, "I'm going to walk around a bit. It was great to meet you!" 🤔 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 • I used to dissect every conversation I had in my head after an event • This turns out to be pretty unhelpful and makes it even harder next time • As long as you were nice and engaged in some good back and forth, you probably did just fine Do you have trouble "networking"? What would you add? - Like this? 👍 I’m Anson Cheung, an industrial designer with over a decade of experience designing technology products in Silicon Valley. Follow me for daily insights into a career in industrial design. #industrialdesign #designer

Sometimes, it's too easy to hide behind my phone. While most people will comment on my high energy, I am, in fact, very introverted, and I don't love "networking," so when my clients share that they feel this way, I get it. While I don't love "networking," I do love talking to people, interviewing others, and public speaking, but they all can run down my social battery. Do you ever feel the same way? The concept of networking can be anxiety-provoking, but chatting, sharing, helping, and asking can be much less of a drain. Here are some tips to help introverts network while keeping social anxiety at bay: 💎 Prepare in Advance: Research the event and attendees beforehand. Knowing who's going to be there can help you plan whom to approach. 💎 Set Realistic Goals: Aim for meaningful interactions rather than trying to meet everyone. Even connecting with a few people can be a success. 💎 Use Online Platforms: Start building connections online through LinkedIn or other professional networks. It's often less intimidating than face-to-face interactions. 💎 Focus on Listening: Introverts are often great listeners. Show genuine interest in what others say, and the conversation will flow more naturally. 💎 Choose Smaller Events: Instead of large conferences, start with smaller meetups where you can have more in-depth conversations. 💎 Have a Few Go-To Questions: Prepare a few open-ended questions to initiate conversations. This can help reduce anxiety about starting discussions. 💎 Bring a Friend: Having someone you know at an event can boost your confidence. Just make sure you still make an effort to meet new people. 💎 Find Common Ground: Start conversations around shared interests or experiences. It can be easier to talk about something you're passionate about. 💎 Practice Active Listening: Show that you're engaged in the conversation through nodding and relevant questions. This builds rapport and makes interactions more meaningful. 💎 Volunteer at Events: This gives you a role and makes it easier to interact with others, as they may approach you first. 💎 Embrace Your Introversion: Remember that being an introvert has its strengths, like the ability to form deep connections and think before speaking. Use these traits to your advantage in networking situations. 💎 Networking when you are an introvert doesn't mean changing who you are; it's about leveraging your natural qualities in social settings. Which tricks/tips have you used to navigate networking jitters more easily? 💎 I am Cathy, a 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞. 💎 I help people develop the tools they need to land jobs and build careers in less time than going it alone. Want to see more valuable career-related content? 🔔 Ring the bell on my profile and follow Inspire Careers 👍 Connect with me! #networkingtips #jobsearchtips #introvert #inspireothers #careercoaching

Introvert-friendly networking tip: Start your event connections before the event begins. If walking into a room full of strangers makes your stomach flip, here’s a quiet strategy that can make in-person events feel less intimidating, and more intentional: 💡 Connect on LinkedIn before the event. Look up the event page, RSVP list, or hashtag. Identify a few people, maybe a speaker, a fellow guest, or someone you admire. Then send a short, friendly note like: 👉 “Hi [Name], I saw you’re also attending [Event Name] this week. I’d love to connect here and hopefully say hello in person!” I’ve used this approach myself, attending events alone and still managing to create real conversations, on my terms. Why it works: - You walk in with familiar faces instead of total strangers. - You have a built-in conversation starter (no forced small talk). - You control the pace of connection—before, during, and after the event. 💜 And here’s a bonus: If you don’t get to meet them in person, you still have the connection to follow up later with a kind note or reflection on the event. You don’t have to “work the room” to network well. You just have to be intentional. And that’s where introverts shine. Have we met? 👋 Hi, I’m Ana, a career coach and strategist for introverts. If you are a professional who wants to improve your LinkedIn presence and become visible to recruiters without spending hours job searching, then follow along! #NetworkingTips #introverts

As an introvert, networking has never come naturally to me. I was generally the one who would hang out by the food table so that I didn't have to awkwardly join a group of strangers that was already deep in conversation. I've really had to up my networking game over the past year and these are some things I've learned: ▶ Bring a buddy - It helps to know at least one person in the room, but it can be tempting to talk to them all night. See "make it fun" for tips on avoiding this trap. ▶ Have a goal in mind - Sometimes I'm at an event because there is someone I want to meet. Other times it's because there is an organization that is new to me and I want to learn more about what they do and if I should become more involved ▶ Make it fun - If I bring a friend or not, I try to frame it as a friendly competition like "lets see who can come home with the most business cards" or "what was the best conversation starter you heard?" ▶ Practice - This may sound a little cheesy, but I used to think of conversation starters ahead of time. I've also found that frequently attending networking events helps ease the anxiety. Even some extroverts I know were nervous getting back to in person events after the pandemic! ▶ Take Breaks - If you feel like your energy is slipping during the event, take a break before deciding to head home. You may find that a moment of fresh air and quiet reflection will sharpen your mind for your next conversation. How do you feel about networking? Any other tips to share? Chime in below! #networking #introverts #tipsandtricks image credit: Liz Fosslien

Does the thought of networking make you sweat? 😓 As an introvert, I get it. But getting past that fear could be the reason you land your next job. Here are my 5 Networking Tips for Introverts looking to thrive in 2024: 1. A great connection takes time to build. Start new connections expecting nothing for a while. 2. Every person you talk to is a human just like you. Remember that - even when talking to a Fortune 100 CEO. 3. Suck at talking about yourself? Ask great questions instead. Or as they say "To be interesting, be interested." 4. Skip the small talk. Connect on a personal level about kids, hobbies, or skills. Those convos are more memorable and build deeper connections. 5. If you don't ask, you don't get. Once you built a little social capital, make the ask. The worst that can happen is "no". Put this on a sticky note on your computer. Read it when you second guess sending a DM or get nervous for an interviewer. Networking unlocks the exact doors you need to get hired. Start today and tomorrow will be a whole lot easier.