Networking for the Introverted Job Seeker

Networked NGO - Me To We, a photo by cambodia4kidsorg on Flickr.

While it is true that the largest percentage of job offers are landed through connections we’ve made, networking can be a struggle whether you’re a shrinking violet or the life of the party.

Networking, for many of us, conjures up an image of a bunch of suits meandering around a conference room with plastic nametags pinned to their lapel, exchanging business cards and drumming up insincere banter with other suits. Networking also includes amassing hundreds of LinkedIn and Facebook connections each year, the majority of which you will never get to know.

For those who would rather chew off their own arm than drum up conversations with strangers about their job search, a change in your perspective about what networking really is can be a great start.

Don’t worry about building new relationships yet—build on existing ones.  Yes, certainly turn to relatives, acquaintances, your college alumni group, sororities and fraternities to let them know you are looking for a job. After all, these contacts are well within your comfort zone; they get you. But instead of asking them for something—a job lead, an interview request—offer something valuable to them, instead. Offer to put them in touch with people they may want to know. Send them an article you found about some obscure thing you know they love, but no one else usually cares about.

When you mention that you have a sincere interest in marketing, tell them that you’ve taken online SEO courses lately, or if you are pursuing an actuarial career, tell them you’ve passed a couple of exams on you own dime. The shift in perspective is that you are showing how you would actually add value if you worked for their company. You aren’t asking for a handout.

Now you’ve demonstrated how they would benefit from a deeper discussion about bringing you in to meet their boss. Introducing you to their team suddenly is a feather in their cap—not a favor done for you.

Have others network for you.  Now a few of your contacts are your champions; becuase you've shown your value, they are ready to vouch for you as if they are your agent. Odds are a few of them are probably bonafide schmoozers—those blessed folks who actually get a thrill out of networking. Let these social butterflies make some introductions for you, since they enjoy these exchanges anyway. It’s what they live for.

Internships and volunteerism are valuable gigs.  A lot of introverted job hunters have had the benefit of some great summer work or voluntary stint at companies. This is an easy group of people to approach for future opportunities because they’ve seen the great work you’ve done. Heck—you even did it for peanuts or no salary at all! If you’re volunteering right now, prepare the groundwork to plant seeds later, by doing a great job and making yourself memorable. You wont have to worry about dredging up their names online in a year if you stay in touch on a regular basis.

Try to develop an area of expertise where you become the “go to” person. The job will hopefully be a rewarding experience, regardless of future returns. It may pay nothing now, but it could pay off in the long run.

Be an expert at anything.  The best way to get your name out there is by becoming a SME—a subject matter expert related to your career of choice. There might be ten entry-level graphic artists at your company, but no one knows Flash like you do. Even if you don’t want to work with Flash forever, being the Flash guru in the office makes you memorable. Be sure you are cheerful to work with, and flexible, too. Make sure your online profile (on LinkedIn, Facebook or wherever else you expect to pop up) mirrors what you are famous for.

Most importantly, it doesn’t matter what you are known for, as long as you’re known for something positive. That’s when networking suddenly becomes a light, breezy conversation—not one of ten elevator pitches a hiring manager hears in a week.