#JobSearch : How To Network. for People Who Don’t Like The Idea Of Networking. As an Introvert, Here are a Few Approaches that Work.
I’ve never been comfortable with the notion of networking, at least in the conventional sense of the word. I’m an introvert, and I haven’t been able to figure out the art of moving in and out of conversations during, say, the cocktail hour at a conference. I’d much rather have a long discussion with one person, and so my default strategy is to spot another introvert and approach them.
But it is important to build a network, of course. Your career path, after all, is going to be determined as much by the people you know as the work you do, especially if you’re ambitious. “When you talk about getting to the most senior levels, it’s less about the work and more about the network and your impact and how you market and brand what you’re working on,” said Mary Elizabeth Porray, global deputy vice chair for client technology for EY, the consulting firm. “So make sure that you’re focusing 50 percent on what you know and 50 percent on who you know.”
If you’re a fellow introvert, or the idea of networking feels transactional, then here are a few approaches that have worked well for me over the years.
60-Second Research
In my line of work, I meet a lot of new people, mostly on video calls. I always make it a habit of taking a minute before the call starts to check the person’s LinkedIn profile and social-media feeds. I’m looking for things we have in common. Maybe they spent a few years working in journalism early in their career. Or perhaps they’re from Canada originally, like me. Or perhaps they went to school in New Orleans, where I live now.
Those points of shared interest or background help create instant connections. Best of all is that they feel authentic, rather than forced. I do this with pretty much everyone I’m about to meet in a business context, and I’m always puzzled as to why more people don’t do the same. The return on investment of that 60-second search is huge.
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Article continued …
Work On Something Together
To me, the best way to build a lasting relationship with someone is to work on something with them, rather than just sharing a coffee, drink or meal. For example, companies are always forming committees to work on some new initiative. Raise your hand. Show colleagues what you can do, make an impression, and be reliable. Treat it as if you were auditioning for a new job. Impress people and they may think of you when an opening comes up.
More companies are starting internal gig platforms so that workers can move around and build new skills. Take advantage of them and build your reputation as a reliable team player. And look outside, as well. Industry associations offer great opportunities to build connections. Or join a nonprofit. Don’t feel like you have time? Remember that work tends to expand into the time you have to do it, so those other meetings can act like forcing functions to get you to work smarter and in a more focused way on your day job.
“Play In Traffic”
I first heard that memorable phrase—“play in traffic”—from Joseph Plumeri, who was CEO of Willis Group HoldingsWSH -0.6%, an insurance brokerage, when I interviewed him. “Everything that I have done started because I went out and I played in traffic and something happened,” Plumeri told me. “It means that if you push yourself out there and you see people and do things and participate and get involved, something happens.”
And that doesn’t mean that you should say yes to everything. Figure out a useful framework for what you sign up for and what you turn down, because “no” is an important word to add to your vocabulary. For me, the simple filter has always been, is this directionally in line with where I want to go? If it would broaden my skills as a journalist (earlier in my career) or if I would learn more about leadership (the current chapter of my career), my default was and is to say yes. I figured I’d learn something new and perhaps expand my network, and I’ve now got enough years under my belt to see the benefit of playing in traffic.
Forbes.com | January 31, 2024 | Adam Bryant
