Networking on the Introvert’s Side of the Room - Grace Hopper Conf. 2014
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Networking is how employers fill most job openings and how well-connected professionals earn higher incomes. But with most networking activities geared towards extroverts, what can Introverts—who often find being around others draining—do? Many characteristics that define introverts also make them wonderful networkers. They’re comfortable making meaningful one-on-one connections and they’re excellent listeners. I’ll share tools that have enabled me to grow my network without changing my introverted personality
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Networking on the Introvert’s Side of the Room - Grace Hopper Conf. 2014
- 1. Networking on the Introvert’s Side of the Room Michele Marut 10.9.14 2014 #GHC14 2014
- 2. A typical networking event 2014
- 3. Introverts 2014 Are everywhere Prefer small groups Recharge alone
- 4. Tech activities leverage introvert traits 2014
- 5. Networking 2014 Networking 70% other 30% Many uses Relies on relationships Methods of finding jobs – Bureau of Labor Statistics
- 6. Dunbar’s number Maximum number of people with which 150 = we can maintain relationships 2014 = 10 people
- 7. FOUR WAYS INTROVERTS CAN BUILD THEIR NETWORK 2014
- 8. 1. Engage in online communities 2014
- 10. Tips for engaging in online communities 2014 Jump in Post during events Share your knowledge
- 11. 2. Attend low key events 2014
- 12. Tips for attending low key events 2014 Go casual Bring your favorite people Step away (if you need to recharge)
- 13. 3. Attend Activity Based Events 2014
- 14. Tips for attending activity-based events 2014 Pick fun things Act early Look for activities within conferences
- 15. 4. Volunteer at the event 2014
- 16. Tips for volunteering at events Work the sign-in table Chat with volunteers Use your backstage pass 2014
- 17. NOT DONE YET …. REMEMBER TO MAINTAIN THE NETWORK 2014
- 18. Offer your resources! The more you trade, the better your chances of victory. Even if it is not your turn, you should offer trades to the current player! - Settlers of Catan game rules 2014 Credit: http://engtech.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/settlers-of-catan-board-game-is-coming-to-xbox-live-arcade/
- 19. Do… Engage in on-line communities Attend more low-key events Choose events with activities Volunteer at the event Remember! Always offer your resources Feel free to step away from the group 2014
- 20. Resources 2014 Find Events − College alumni chapters − Meet-up.com /Eventbrite – start-up, tech, ux, etc… − Professional Groups Books/Sites − Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz − The Power of Introverts by Susan Cain
- 21. THANK YOU! 2014
- 22. Got Feedback? Rate and Review the session using the GHC Mobile App To download visit www.gracehopper.org 2014
Editor's Notes
- Advancing career is top of mind Networking is part of the strategy This can be challenging for introverts Personal story about attending a 300 person event, did not know anyone, approached by a career coach
- When they interact with people for extended periods of time, they often feel drained and need to spend time alone to recharge. This distinguishes them from extroverts who get their energy from being with people and feel drained when they are alone My points You are not alone You don’t have to change your personality
- tech leverages an introverts traits – you didn’t have to change your career because of your personality One-on-one and small group activities Uses scripts and templates Lots of listening and observing
- It relies on relationships Methods of finding jobs - Bureau of Labor Statistics A major reason is to network is to find jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70% of jobs are found through networking Also, to hire people, find out about tools, etc… It is not going around the room collecting business cards It is not something you do only when you need a job It is more like a savings account - something you are depositing into over time
- Myth is that you need a lot of people 150 maximum number of contacts we can effectively maintain relationships British anthropologist Robin Dunbar Maintaining the network is actually an easy thing for introverts as they often have high quality but fewer relationships than extroverts Path limits your contacts to 150 for this reason. The network is effective if it only takes a few calls to do what you need to do or learn.
- Although there seems to be a misalignment with traditional networking activities, my premise is that introverts can leverage their strengths and network effectively through other ways.
- Introverts tend to live on the Internet and are often members of online communities. Many people doing this already
- Meet Caroline Jarrett Mark Barratt, influential UK-based information designer, suggested that should sign up for a usability list serv. arrett. Once on there, she found that people asked questions about forms now and then, and because she wanted to position myself as a forms expert (and had been working on usability of forms for some several years by then), she ride to make sure that I always answered or commented on those topics- Through being on the list, she made friends and created collaborations with many people: Whitney Q is one of them. One of the people on the list was Jakob Nielsen; he suggested that she should write a book on forms. Gerry Gaffney was also on the list. He posted about the need for a book on forms and some ideas about what should be in it. She persuaded him to join her in writing the book – Forms that Work. Gerry is now a friend. Caroline also met Ginny Redish through the list; she’s became a mentor and she suggested that she should write a book on surveys. Caroline is now working with Lou Rosenfeld to publish her survey book.
- Key point : It leverages an introverts ability to constantly monitor online discussions and provides them with a non-threatening environment in which to interact Pick your favorite on-line community Answer questions easier ones often ask for a tool or reference As you feel more comfortable engage in discussions “retweet” or “like” posts Pick a few people and try to engage with them directly Tweet events
- Consider events in public places that enable you to bring a friend, spouse or even a pet (i.e. the Philly CHI joint UX picnic, IxDA Columbus Pancake Chat, IxDA NYC Shake Shack event) People will approach you if you look relaxed
- Key point: these events that will give introverts a chance to be in a low-key environment
- Choose activity based events. Example: the annual UK UPA pub quiz is very popular – star wars vs startup names Also, map attack at Websvions, Geocaching, hackathons There is usually enough activity to support small talk without much pressure Leverages introverts ability to engage in a structured activity – hackathons, geocaching,
- Key point: these events that will give introverts a chance to engage in the type of one-on-one or small group activities Choose activity based events that sound fun to you Sign-up early – these events often have limited slots – small teams Come prepared to participate Arrive early so you can choose your group or partner
- Key point: volunteering in this way connects you with other volunteers who are active in the professional group and gives introverts an ice breaker to leverage when connecting with attendees at the events Get involved in ways that work for an introvert We've all heard volunteering is great for networking. But we might be nervous about the group or time commitment. Volunteer for the sign-in table for an event you want to go to anyway This is a perfect task for introverts It's very structured - the table is your ice breaker You don't have to talk much unless you want to This gives you the chance to see the attendee list and greet a person you've wanted to connect with meet every single person attending the event, including the featured speaker chat in an informal way with other sign-in or greeter volunteers An hour before, going to event anyway – doing activiteis – checking people in, check them in – hi I’m a fan of your work – and they’ll probably talk back to you – volunteer gives you backstage to meet the main speaker Bonus: volunteers may get event discount ****** Major point: volunteers often share a drink or meal afterwards with the guest speaker- again this leads to smaller scale networking Now, at the post-event meal - you have the event to chat about and might meet a UX rockstar! Met Kim Goodwin when her book Designing for the Digital Age came out.
- You’ve been going to events and building the network Have to maintain Introverts good a personal relationships and mainiting it – for profess Remember caroline – stayed engaged – get job – don’t drop off
- Game is like risk Resource cards – constantly – whether you need to or not use that analogy – skill – social media, fav tool , or a job opening , If you don’t have it – maybe you know someone who does – two people away – put those people in touch Maintain the network by focusing on helping others Always offer your resources. Key point: Introverts can leverage skills they often use elsewhere to develop meaningful relationships and maintain their networks
- Articles/sites Introverts and Networking stack - http://www.delicious.com/stacks/view/SGARzn The Power of Introverts http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/community/resources/ Book Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz
- This is the last slide and must be included in the slide deck