A L A N R A S O F

HOW TO GET OVERYOUR FEAR OFNETWORKING

Does the thought of entering a crowded room filled with strangers giveyou anxiety? Does it make you feel overwhelmed?

Networking is a fear many people share.Some would even say it’s one of the scariest steps of finding a job. Whetherit’s getting freaked out by small talk or the fear of forgetting someone’s

name, networking can be a scary thing to do.

If you’re feeling spooked by networking, here are some tips that can helpyou become a fearless networker:

Attend fun networking events.Consider attending networking events with a few friends such as happyhours hosted by professional organizations in your city, going to an alumnimixer, or getting involved with volunteering opportunities. These are somefun ways to meet new people without having to stress about networking.

Host your own networking event.Find a location in your city such as a local coffee shop or restaurant and invite10 of your colleagues to attend. This is a casual way to get a group of peopletogether to mingle in a relaxed environment and you won’t have to worry if

you will know anyone or not since you’ll be the one inviting people!

Use the magic of Twitter.Use Twitter to participate in industry Twitter chats, search for professionals inyour area, and coordinate a meet-up. Twitter can also be used to share industry-

related content and engage in conversations with people in your socialnetwork. By using Twitter, you’ll connect with more people all over the world in

your industry that you probably wouldn’t have been able to in-person.

Stop the small talk.Instead of focusing on making small talk, shift your focus to learning about thepeople you meet. Spark conversations with people by asking about THEM. Askabout their jobs, what they enjoy doing for fun, or why they like their jobs. Theseconversations will become more meaningful, will take the pressure off of you

and you’ll learn more about the people you meet!

Avoid networking events altogether.Instead of focusing on strictly attending networking events, considergoing to conferences, workshops, or speaker events where you’ll meetprofessionals in your industry. These events will give you opportunities tomake new connections without having to directly focus on networking.

Less is more.Take the pressure off of yourself of feeling like you need to collect 20business cards when you go to a networking event. Instead, focus onmaking one or two strong bonds with the new people you meet. This

relationships will become more valuable in the future.

By following these tips, networking should become less scary andmore enjoyable. Remember, networking is about building valuablerelationships with people who can become friends and mentors!