5 simple tips to make networking more enjoyable for introverts

Flickr/University of Exeter

Networking was such a foreign concept to me. And I really do mean foreign — we don’t do the organized networking thing in El Salvador.

I knew that building relationships was an important tool for success, that who you know matters; in fact, in small cities and countries, it’s sometimes the only thing that does.

But the concept of going to organized networking events, with an agenda, and a clear expected outcome in mind, seemed crazy.

When I started business school I couldn't believe how good some people were at networking. They enjoyed it, it was natural. They were making connections and getting jobs. Me? Not so much.

When I asked people what the secret to successful networking was, the answers seemed to be always the same, and went something like this:

1. Approach someone confidently
2. Have your elevator pitch ready and polished
3. Ask thoughtful questions
4. Be genuinely interested (and interesting)
5. Say something memorable
6. Follow up, follow up, follow up

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Simple? Well, not really. The problem starts when you're an introvert like me. Approaching people confidently in a crowd of overconfident, type-A business professionals is not so easy. Asking thoughtful questions? Hmmmm yes, that’s not that hard, but you have to do it quickly before you lose your chance. And you can’t stress about it. And how can you be genuinely interested when you might be bored to your very core?

The thought that networking would be one of the most important aspects of my career never occurred to me. It wasn't until much later that I understood what people were saying. The problem wasn't that I was a bad networker, it was that I was following a recipe that was just not made for my personality.

It took me years to find the type of networking that works for me. It's more natural, more organic. It doesn't happen in large settings, and usually doesn't involve me thinking up questions in advance. And it certainly does not make me have an anxiety attack because I’m worrying about being interested and interesting.

Related: The Six Networking Mistakes We Women Make

For me, what works goes something like this:

1. At a networking event, don't force yourself to talk to a bunch of people

Take a look around when you come in. Does anyone look like they’re also looking for a friendly face? Well then, be that friendly face and make your first connection.

2. After you start speaking to one person it will be easier to connect with more people

Your confidence will increase. Anyone who is successful at something can tell you that, once you start, it's a lot easier to keep going.

3. Get out of your head

Be yourself. Realize that the people in the room are there for the same reason: to connect with other people, and may be feeling just as awkward. You have lots of interesting things to share, just stop worrying about it.

When you are not thinking about that end goal (that new job you’re looking for, or the new client you need to close to hike up your numbers before your next evaluation) you can actually focus on being yourself and talking about those things that matter to you: your next trip, the public speaking course you’re taking next week, or the last article you read.

All of these things can be interesting to the person you’re speaking with and can help you build that bridge and a new relationship.