Do you feel awkward making small talk when meeting new people? Do you hate the feeling of walking into a large conference hall and seeing a sea of strangers? Networking doesn’t have to be scary or hard. Here's how to navigate these uncomfortable waters.
- Look for like-minded, hesitant networkers. You are not alone. At an in-person event, look around. There is likely someone who is standing by themselves or is in a group but not really participating in the discussion. Approach them and strike up a conversation.
- Turn networking into a game. For example, if you’re introverted, pretend to be an extraverted character in a video game and score points by talking to new people! This may sound silly, but it works.
- Look for shared interests. Instead of stressing about how to make small talk, think about finding shared interests with the other person. You might even spend some time in advance thinking about the various activities you engage in (gardening, reading, learning new technologies) so you can focus conversations on topics that you’re comfortable with.
- Reframe your definition of networking. It doesn’t always mean meeting new people. Reach out to friends from previous jobs, or colleagues you've only had limited contact with, and ask to connect in a low-pressure environment like coffee or a Zoom call.
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