Many of the best jobs out there are found via networking – actively putting yourself out there among top professionals in your field so you can make connections, build relationships, and gain access to opportunities that you may not otherwise be aware of. This includes cream-of-the-crop positions that may not even be publicly advertised, as employers opt for selectivity as they round out their workforce.

It all sounds great – unless you’re an introvert by nature. In that case, networking may ramp your anxiety level up to crazy levels and make you start to shake in your shoes just thinking about it.

How to Network as an Introvert

You are not alone.

As an introvert, you may often feel, well … alone. It kind of goes along with being introverted, right? But experts and statistics will make you feel better. The numbers vary, but according to The Myers-Briggs Company, 56.8 percent of people worldwide actually prefer introversion. There’s even a holiday to recognize introversion: January 2.

Yes, you can network.

Great, you may say. I’ll break out an extra bottle of champagne and extend my next New Year’s celebration. But I still need to grow my career, regardless of how many people feel my introvert pain.

The solution lies in having a few tools in your job search toolbox designed specifically for networking as an introvert.

• For starters, network online. It’s a digital world, one where the internet and social media offer more opportunities than ever before to widen your professional reach. Your initial meetings with connections don’t have to be in person. You can identify, find, and reach out to them virtually.
• Make one-on-one connections. Whether they are on or offline, you don’t have to connect with others through large-scale conferences, meetings, or events. Once you establish communication, you can invite a new contact out for coffee or lunch to get to know them individually.

Yes, you can network at events.

You don’t have to love big networking events, but you can make them work for you. Here are a few helpful tips:

• Practice your elevator pitch. This is a 30 to 60-second statement with details about your career goals, experience, and the type of job you’re seeking. Rehearse ahead of time with a trusted friend or colleague.
• Get there early. This saves you the stress of trying to slip naturally into a large crowd. You can also start conversations with smaller groups, if helpful before more guests sign in.
• Take breaks as needed. If you start to feel overwhelmed, tactfully retreat and take a solo coffee break or a short walk. This is a great way to help tension from reaching stifling levels.

Introvert or extrovert, one of your best job search tools can be a recruiter who knows your field and is connected to employers hiring in your preferred area.

Add a Recruiter to Your Network

If your career goal is a dynamic clinical or non-clinical opportunity in allied health, educational services, travel, or other nursing specialties, you can find a recruitment partner at Covelo Group. Contact us today to learn more.