3 Networking Tips for Introverts you can use Today
Spotlight (2015): The Power of Networks
Today’s post is brought to you by introverts.
We’re more talkative than you may think and even better at Networking.
This Issue at a Glance:
The Problem with Networking today.
Tackle Networking like a Journalist.
The Power of Introverts:
3 Networking Tips for Introverts.
Spotlight (2015): The Power of Networks
Problem with Networking Today:
People tackle networking like a transaction.
I’m talking to you because I want something in return. And it’s hard not to think that. They see it as a professional safety net to help in career changes or collaborate with projects.
One of the best overviews of Networking & the power of building a Network was in the newsletter Osmosis by Colin Chung. Check it out below!
This week in the O.W.: Main Feature: The Power of Networks.
osmosis.dev/posts/o-w-0107-indra-s-net
Summarizing Colin’s Post on Networks:
Be a cross-pollinator for networks. Know people in different areas that you can pull from for ideas & assist.
Knowing a few well-known people in networks > knowing many lesser-known people
To grasp & visualize Colin’s post and apply it, tackle Networking like a Journalist.
Tackle Networking like a Journalist.
Journalists are world-class researchers, interviewers, and relationship-builders.
They don’t get enough credit for their work. Journalists must sift through documents, find those couple network multipliers, and build relationships through interviews.
Journalists build network to create a strong foundation & base of knowledge.
Dean Nelson, in his book Talk to Me, talks about the 3E’s of Interviewing to write a story: Eyewitness, Explainers, Experts.
Eyewitnesses: Boots-on the ground information, personal experiences.
Explainers: Get the background information. Lay of the land.
Experts: These are your go-to authority figures for complicated topics.
How does this help me with Networking?
Most think of Networking in 1 Dimension.
Professional or personal contacts to help me right now or 5 years down the line. Or contacts who agree with you.
But this is flawed.
Build your network filled with the 3 E’s: Eyewitness, Explainers, Experts.
Here’s an example:
You're a mechanical engineering student looking for jobs in R&D companies. Your current network is tiny & filled with friends and family. Great, but not likely to get you a job in R&D.
Use the 3 Es to build the network. Here’s who to look for:
Eyewitnesses:
These contacts provide personal experiences of working in the R&D industry.
Find people who’ve worked in R&D using sites like Glassdoor or company websites.
Find people who’ve worked with R&D companies. Find the clients or spin-off companies.
Explainers:
These contacts give you a bird’s-eye view of the industry.
Look up the companies involved in the industry.
If you want more information, get creative!
Think of similar industries to R&D like Product Design & look into the companies and work involved in the Product Design Industry.
What does the job outlook look like? Do the employees of R&D companies stay, or do they switch to another company?
Experts:
These contacts give you detailed information of R&D projects.
Who are the big R&D companies? Who are their clients?
What is it like working on the project? Do you have to find clients on your own or can you propose your own projects?
And if you’re squirming in your chair because you don’t feel comfortable talking to new people as an introvert, don’t worry.
I got you covered—-scratch that.
You got you covered.
The Power of Introverts:
Introverts ≠Shy:
Introverts & extroverts are defined by energy levels. Where do you get your energy from? How do you recharge? It’s about preferring different environments over others.
Introverts prefer environments where there’s not much going on.
Extroverts prefer environments where there’s more going on.
Ambiverts are neither too introverted nor extroverted.
The difference comes in nervous system design of people. And you can imagine, this varies a lot among people. Some introverts do well in large social groups while some extroverts prefer smaller settings.
If you’re wondering if you introvert, extrovert, or ambivert, ask yourself if you had the weekend to do whatever you wanted without any work or social or life obligation, what would you choose?
Introverts & Networking: Why they’re the best at it.
When people start networking, they cast a wide net & meet as many people as possible.
This is where introverted people shine. They focus their energy to a small group of people & build relationships. Introverts enjoy smaller groups and focusing on specific people.
Focusing on a few relationships makes it easier to build them and learn from the contact.
If you’re still unsure on networking as an introvert, here are 3 tips to make it easier.
3 Networking Tips for Introverts:
Introverts enjoy talking to people as much as fish enjoy riding a bike.
But your network is important for personal and professional growth. Here are 3 Networking tips made for Introverts by an Introvert:
Tip 1: Have something in hand:
You get nervous walking up and talking to random people.
If you carry a notebook in hand or food or something, that can calm you down because you can distract your fidgetiness with the object.
Tip 2: Talk about a 3rd Object.
If you don’t know any info about the person before, find a 3rd thing to talk about.
It works great if you’ve both attended a lecture or read a book. Find some shared connection: idea/project/experience & start the conversation there. Your 3rd object can be what you’re holding your hand too!
For example: I was waiting for a flight & the person sitting next to me was reading the technical manual for a Boeing 747. I had to ask him about reading a technical manual. I’ve never seen anyone read the manual.
Use the 3rd Object to strike a conversation.
Tip 3: Have a way out.
You will run into people who don’t want to talk to you.
Or you will be the person who doesn’t want to talk.
Make sure you have a way out.
A phrase like “it’s nice talking with you” or “I don’t want to keep too much of your time”, can work if you think you’re holding someone up or if you need to leave a conversation.
Example:
The movie Spotlight (2105) is a great example of Networking. The journalists in the movie leverage their network as they uncover the story of the Catholic Church abuse scandal:
The Newsletter on What They Don't Teach You in Enginering School
next-level-engineer.beehiiv.com/p/spotlight-the-power-of-networking
That’s it!
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See you next Saturday!
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