Mastering Networking as an Introvert: Four Easy Steps to Success

I don’t think anyone who does a job search relishes the idea of networking and even those who are extroverted and find networking natural to them, need advice about the what and the how when it comes to a job search. The approach during a job search is quite different to the type of networking you might do in the course of your business life. I spend a huge amount of time talking and thinking about networking and anyone who has ever worked with me as their coach would know how passionate I am about the skill of networking.

I have recently written about how to network (The Power of Networking: Why 70% of Job Seekers Find Success Through Connections) and how to respond when asked for a networking meeting (Responding to Networking Requests: Providing Real Help During a Job Search). My final topic in this series is Mastering Networking as an Introvert.

Most traditional networking advice is actually geared towards extroverts. It focuses on ideas such as contacting people by phone and meeting people in person for coffee. For those who are Boomers, Gen X or perhaps Gen Y, extroverted and already confident networkers, this advice probably works very well. This week I have had a meeting with a client I know well whose superpowers among many others is relationships, strategic partnerships, sales and marketing. Networking comes naturally to her. After telling me she had had a ‘fairly low-key week,’ she went on to describe an event where she connected with at least 5 or 6 people from which some consulting work might emerge, a very good conversation she had with someone at a child’s activity, a recruiter meeting, another couple of coffees and conversations and some potential leads coming from her network. This is in fact a low-key week for her but not a typical week for all of my clients.

For introverts, this is especially the case. When I coach introverts, they look even more uncomfortable than the average candidate about the prospect of networking and I understand why.? It might surprise some of the people that I meet and I coach to discover that I am an introvert, which means that I draw my energy from time alone as opposed to an extrovert who draws their energy from time with people. I can appear extroverted at times, which can be in many social settings, especially when I am with people I know well or in my ‘zone of excellence.’ However, the act of networking, actually forces me well outside my comfort zone.

For most introverts, this is also true. They are quite fearful of the concept of networking and they don’t really want to, however as I have already shown in my earlier article, it is a critical part of any job search, leading 70% of our candidates to job search success. In a year such as 2024 where the job market is tighter (meaning there are too many candidates for every role) applying for jobs becomes even harder and more fraught and networking is even more important.

?So, if you are an introvert, how can you make networking work for you?

Firstly, it’s critical to know why you are networking and that you have a plan. I have talked in detail about setting yourself up for success in my past article, so have a look at that and once your plan and your messages are in place, there are some critical things you can do to make networking easier. Here are my four steps for networking success.

One - Choose how you communicate with people: the traditional advice has been to ‘pick up the phone.’ This can work in certain situations, with certain people but it is generational and situational advice. Even in the course of my day-to-day life, there are only certain people I phone. Choose the contact method that works for you – email, text message, LinkedIn message etc. On the whole, with busy people, you may get a faster response this way anyway, rather than via a number of missed calls. The other advantage of an email or text message is that it can be carefully scripted and feels more controlled.

Two - Choose what a meeting is: again, the traditional advice is to meet people for a coffee. This does not work in all situations with all people. Extroverts need these interactions to charge their social battery but introverts don’t, quite the opposite in fact. It’s a good idea to get out of the house each week and to meet high value connections in person (or to say ‘yes’ to coffee when asked) however a meeting can be a phone call, a Zoom/Teams meeting, a walking meeting or a coffee. Choose what works for both parties and mix up your week to preserve your social battery.

Three – Remember that introversion can be a true strength when networking. Introverts usually have a marked ability to focus one on one. True extroverts need and want to talk comfortably to everyone, which is a fantastic skill and one that I envy, however Introverts often have a strength in listening and reflecting. Introverts are often really good relationship builders and can be remarkably good networkers. Introverts will often talk less, listen more and ask questions. People will tell you more, you’ll gain important market insights and your connection will feel it has been a good experience for them.

Four - Networking is a learnt skill for everyone. No one is born a fully formed gifted networker. You might know someone who is fantastically good at networking and envy them, but you can be sure that they had a good role model or a good coach to support them to build that skill. In my case, I learnt from a young age from my parents who are excellent connectors and networkers and have been since I was a child. While it is not an easy skill for me, it’s a skill I have learnt to master and I particularly enjoy connecting people to each other.

Introverts have important strengths to offer. I have seen some fearful Introverts achieve huge networking success in their job search, not only because they set their minds to it, but also and more importantly because they approached networking in their way, with their own style.

Written by Sarah Felice – Founder and Principal Consultant at Sarah Felice Career Coaching, Executive and Career Coach at Prima Careers.

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