How to Make Networking Feel Less Awkward

If networking feels transactional — and even unnatural — to you, you’re not alone. Maybe you take a bit longer to open up to people. Maybe your mind goes blank when you’re trying to make a good impression. Or maybe you feel the need to overcompensate for your nerves with false enthusiasm. How can you reconcile the fact that you should be networking with your equally strong desire to avoid the discomfort of it all? Start by reframing how you think about it. Try thinking of it as a genuine opportunity to make a meaningful connection, rather than a phony, opportunistic interaction. Consider what you have to offer in a situation, not just what you want to take. For example, when you ask someone for career advice or support, you are actually giving them an opportunity to help you — that’s what many people want to do. Explore your authentic curiosity. Before meeting someone new, read a little about them, but do so with the goal of finding something interesting, rather than memorizing the “right” questions to ask in order to make a good impression. It’s a subtle mindset shift, but it can make a world of difference. Finally, don’t try to hide who you are. Be honest — even if that means openly expressing discomfort with the whole networking thing.

This tip is adapted from?“The Awkward Person’s Guide to Networking,”?by Alyssa F. Westring