If you think your social skills at work events are subpar, author of Networking for People Who Hate Networking, Devora Zack, has some comforting advice: It’s not your fault. For introverts who aren’t always the life of the party, it’s OK. You can still network on your own terms. Zack shows us how:
Arrive early
By coming early, you will not only feel less overwhelmed by the crowds, but since there will be fewer people, there will be more opportunities for you to make contact.
Set goals and stick to them
When you arrive at an event, take a minute and look around the room. Then make a goal of who you’re going to speak to, connect with and get a contact from. “It’s more realistic to say, ‘OK, I’m going to get one main contact from this event.’ Because then you allow yourself the time to make deep connections with future colleagues, which is a strong point for introverts,” Zack says.
