Networking.
Do you ever flinch after hearing your career counselor say the word? Do the three syllables echo in your nightmares, a reminder of the email draft you’re too scared to send? Have you endlessly watched video tutorials and read articles about the topic and still felt convinced that only the most talkative and extroverted people can do it?
If your answer is yes, to any of these questions, or if you generally harbor a fear of networking due to believing your quieter, more subdued personality is the problem, I’m here to tell you that you can, in fact do it! As someone who has been labeled as 99% introverted (thanks, Myers Briggs!) and still found a way to conquer her fear of networking, I’m going to help you get over your fear too, in just five easy steps.
Step 1: Strategize.
When I say strategize, I don’t mean that you need some elaborate blueprint for attending a networking session or a plot for every second of your informational interview. What I mean is to carefully consider who you’re looking to connect with and for what reasons. I’ve noticed that a lot of the time, fellow students who are turned away from interviews are simply shooting too high. I’ve learned to stop setting my sights on higher-ups (think: managers, executive chiefs, people at the very tippy top of the company) not only because they’re busy but also because in many scenarios, their words of wisdom are simply not applicable to my current career position.
I’ve noticed that people in entry-level positions are the most helpful to speak to not only because their schedules are usually less jam-packed and don’t require an appointment with a secretary or assistant, but also because they are exactly where I want to be right in this moment. These entry-level folks have the most current and up-to-date information on the industry because they’re right in the thick of it! They also remember exactly what it was like to be in your position because most likely, they were in your exact spot maybe only a year or two ago too.
While you’re contemplating who you want to reach out to, think about the reasons why you want to connect with them too. Are they in a position that you hope to achieve one day? Are they working at a company or in a department that you’re interested in learning more about? Make sure that your reason is targeted and specific—they’ll help with Step 2!
Step 2: Prepare your questions beforehand.
It’s helpful to have a little notebook that you can refer to or if it’s virtual and you can have your computer open, load up a document of questions! Especially for introverts like myself, who are terrible at small talk, this document can be your lifesaver in the event of a moment of silence or an awkward pause.
You can and should customize these questions to your interviewee—be specific about what you’d interested in learning about, like their experiences, interests, career progression.
Going in without a plan is stressful! Fumbling around for conversation starters is not a great look (especially if you’re in an informational interview, where you are expected to drive the conversation). Try to leave a good first impression by coming in cool and collected—and with a docket of questions just in case!
Step 3: Sit back, relax, and enjoy this conversation.
This step is super important because while making a good first impression is important, this is not a job interview and you don’t need to be stressed about being perfect. It’s okay—and even encouraged— to ask clarifying questions and to be less formal (though please do still ensure all your talking points are appropriate for the occasion). For instance, try to respond to the points that your interviewee brings up. While you may feel like your informational interview or networking session is a one-way street, you will actually benefit the most from this experience if you treat it like a conversation. Be engaged and don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm for what they share with you. The best thing you can do to make both you and your future connection more comfortable is to build that rapport.
Step 4: Don’t forget thanks!
After you leave your info interview/networking session, make sure you’re remembered by writing out your thanks! It might be hard to remember a face or a handshake, but it will be easy to pin an email or a LinkedIn connection. This is a crucial step because it enables you to extend your connection beyond just one interview, coffee chat, or networking event: it establishes a mode of communication and will help ensure that you’re near the top of their mind (or can at least be searched for) when an opportunity comes up in the future.
Step 5: Keep in touch!
Don’t presume that your interviewee wants to be best friends with you after your initial meeting, but also don’t dole out absolute radio silence either. For instance, if an article pertinent to something you spoke about during your meeting comes out a few weeks later, don’t hesitate to send it to them with that context! Another example is if something exciting career-wise happens to you and they ask you to keep them updated, send them the news! This works the other way around too—if they end up accomplishing something significant shortly after you’ve spoken, feel free to send along your congratulations and well wishes.
Having someone in your professional network means that they’re here to cheer you on just as much as you’re cheering them on—so don’t be afraid to build on this relationship! You’re not just acquaintances now: you’re allies in the job battlefield.
From one introvert to another, I really hope these five steps help simplify and demystify the seemingly intimidating process of networking for you.
For some extra credit, I’d like to challenge you to reach out to 3 people on LinkedIn that you’re interested in connecting with and ask for an informational interview. Make sure to follow these steps for each person—and remember we at the Career Development Center are happy to help and cheer you on through every part of this process!