Networking is how employers fill most job openings and how well-connected professionals earn higher incomes. But with most networking activities geared towards extroverts, what can Introverts—who often find being around others draining—do?
Many characteristics that define introverts also make them
wonderful networkers. They’re comfortable making meaningful one-on-one connections and they’re excellent listeners. I’ll share tools that have enabled me to grow my network without changing my introverted personality
16. Tips for volunteering at events
Work the sign-in table
Chat with volunteers
Use your backstage pass
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17. NOT DONE YET ….
REMEMBER TO MAINTAIN THE NETWORK
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18. Offer your resources!
The more you trade, the better
your chances of victory. Even if it
is not your turn, you should offer
trades to the current player!
- Settlers of Catan game rules
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Credit: http://engtech.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/settlers-of-catan-board-game-is-coming-to-xbox-live-arcade/
19. Do…
Engage in on-line communities
Attend more low-key events
Choose events with activities
Volunteer at the event
Remember!
Always offer your resources
Feel free to step away from the group
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20. Resources
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Find Events
− College alumni chapters
− Meet-up.com /Eventbrite – start-up, tech, ux, etc…
− Professional Groups
Books/Sites
− Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success,
One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi and
Tahl Raz
− The Power of Introverts by Susan Cain
22. Got Feedback?
Rate and Review the session using the
GHC Mobile App
To download visit www.gracehopper.org
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Notes de l'éditeur
Advancing career is top of mind
Networking is part of the strategy
This can be challenging for introverts
Personal story about attending a 300 person event, did not know anyone, approached by a career coach
When they interact with people for extended periods of time, they often feel drained and need to spend time alone to recharge. This distinguishes them from extroverts who get their energy from being with people and feel drained when they are alone
My points
You are not alone
You don’t have to change your personality
tech leverages an introverts traits – you didn’t have to change your career because of your personality
One-on-one and small group activities
Uses scripts and templates
Lots of listening and observing
It relies on relationships
Methods of finding jobs - Bureau of Labor Statistics
A major reason is to network is to find jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70% of jobs are found through networking
Also, to hire people, find out about tools, etc…
It is not going around the room collecting business cards
It is not something you do only when you need a job
It is more like a savings account - something you are depositing into over time
Myth is that you need a lot of people
150 maximum number of contacts we can effectively maintain relationships
British anthropologist Robin Dunbar
Maintaining the network is actually an easy thing for introverts as they often have high quality but fewer relationships than extroverts
Path limits your contacts to 150 for this reason.
The network is effective if it only takes a few calls to do what you need to do or learn.
Although there seems to be a misalignment with traditional networking activities, my premise is that introverts can leverage their strengths and network effectively through other ways.
Introverts tend to live on the Internet and are often members of online communities.
Many people doing this already
Meet Caroline Jarrett
Mark Barratt, influential UK-based information designer, suggested that should sign up for a usability list serv.
arrett.
Once on there, she found that people asked questions about forms now and then, and because she wanted to position myself as a forms expert (and had been working on usability of forms for some several years by then), she ride to make sure that I always answered or commented on those topics- Through being on the list, she made friends and created collaborations with many people: Whitney Q is one of them.
One of the people on the list was Jakob Nielsen; he suggested that she should write a book on forms.
Gerry Gaffney was also on the list. He posted about the need for a book on forms and some ideas about what should be in it. She persuaded him to join her in writing the book – Forms that Work. Gerry is now a friend.
Caroline also met Ginny Redish through the list; she’s became a mentor and she suggested that she should write a book on surveys.
Caroline is now working with Lou Rosenfeld to publish her survey book.
Key point : It leverages an introverts ability to constantly monitor online discussions and provides them with a non-threatening environment in which to interact
Pick your favorite on-line community
Answer questions
easier ones often ask for a tool or reference
As you feel more comfortable engage in discussions
“retweet” or “like” posts
Pick a few people and try to engage with them directly
Tweet events
Consider events in public places that enable you to bring a friend, spouse or even a pet (i.e. the Philly CHI joint UX picnic, IxDA Columbus Pancake Chat, IxDA NYC Shake Shack event)
People will approach you if you look relaxed
Key point: these events that will give introverts a chance to be in a low-key environment
Choose activity based events.
Example: the annual UK UPA pub quiz is very popular – star wars vs startup names
Also, map attack at Websvions, Geocaching, hackathons
There is usually enough activity to support small talk without much pressure
Leverages introverts ability to engage in a structured activity – hackathons, geocaching,
Key point: these events that will give introverts a chance to engage in the type of one-on-one or small group activities
Choose activity based events that sound fun to you
Sign-up early – these events often have limited slots – small teams
Come prepared to participate
Arrive early so you can choose your group or partner
Key point: volunteering in this way connects you with other volunteers who are active in the professional group and gives introverts an ice breaker to leverage when connecting with attendees at the events
Get involved in ways that work for an introvert
We've all heard volunteering is great for networking. But we might be nervous about the group or time commitment.
Volunteer for the sign-in table for an event you want to go to anyway
This is a perfect task for introverts
It's very structured - the table is your ice breaker
You don't have to talk much unless you want to
This gives you the chance to see the attendee list and greet a person you've wanted to connect with meet every single person attending the event, including the featured speaker chat in an informal way with other sign-in or greeter volunteers
An hour before, going to event anyway – doing activiteis – checking people in, check them in – hi I’m a fan of your work – and they’ll probably talk back to you – volunteer gives you backstage to meet the main speaker
Bonus: volunteers may get event discount
****** Major point: volunteers often share a drink or meal afterwards with the guest speaker- again this leads to smaller scale networking
Now, at the post-event meal - you have the event to chat about and might meet a UX rockstar! Met Kim Goodwin when her book Designing for the Digital Age came out.
You’ve been going to events and building the network
Have to maintain
Introverts good a personal relationships and mainiting it – for profess
Remember caroline – stayed engaged – get job – don’t drop off
Game is like risk
Resource cards – constantly – whether you need to or not
use that analogy – skill – social media, fav tool , or a job opening ,
If you don’t have it – maybe you know someone who does – two people away – put those people in touch
Maintain the network by focusing on helping others
Always offer your resources.
Key point: Introverts can leverage skills they often use elsewhere to develop meaningful relationships and maintain their networks
Articles/sites
Introverts and Networking stack - http://www.delicious.com/stacks/view/SGARzn
The Power of Introverts http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/community/resources/
Book
Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz
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