Alan Rasof Explains How To Get Over Your Fear Of Networking

1. A L A N R A S O F
HOW TO GET OVER
YOUR FEAR OF
NETWORKING

2. Doesthethoughtofenteringacrowdedroomfilledwithstrangersgive
youanxiety?Doesitmakeyoufeeloverwhelmed?

3. Networkingisafearmanypeopleshare.
Somewouldevensayit’soneofthescarieststepsoffindingajob.Whether
it’sgettingfreakedoutbysmalltalkorthefearofforgettingsomeone’s
name,networkingcanbeascarythingtodo.

4. Ifyou’refeelingspookedbynetworking,herearesometipsthatcanhelp
youbecomeafearlessnetworker:

5. Attend fun networking events.
Considerattendingnetworkingeventswithafewfriendssuchashappy
hourshostedbyprofessionalorganizationsinyourcity,goingtoanalumni
mixer,orgettinginvolvedwithvolunteeringopportunities.Thesearesome
funwaystomeetnewpeoplewithout havingtostressaboutnetworking.

6. Host your own networking event.
Findalocationinyourcitysuchasalocalcoffeeshoporrestaurantandinvite
10ofyourcolleaguestoattend.Thisisacasualwaytogetagroupofpeople
togethertomingleinarelaxedenvironmentandyouwon’thavetoworryif
youwillknowanyoneornotsinceyou’llbetheoneinvitingpeople!

7. Use the magic of Twitter.
UseTwittertoparticipateinindustryTwitterchats,searchforprofessionalsin
yourarea,andcoordinateameet-up.Twittercanalsobeusedtoshareindustry-
relatedcontentandengageinconversationswithpeopleinyoursocial
network.ByusingTwitter,you’llconnectwithmorepeopleallovertheworldin
yourindustrythatyouprobablywouldn’thavebeenabletoin-person.

8. Stop the small talk.
Insteadoffocusingonmakingsmalltalk,shiftyourfocustolearningaboutthe
peopleyoumeet.SparkconversationswithpeoplebyaskingaboutTHEM.Ask
abouttheirjobs,whattheyenjoydoingforfun,orwhytheyliketheirjobs.These
conversationswillbecomemoremeaningful,willtakethepressureoffofyou
andyou’lllearnmoreaboutthepeopleyoumeet!

9. Avoid networking events altogether.
Insteadoffocusingonstrictlyattendingnetworkingevents,consider
goingtoconferences,workshops,orspeakereventswhereyou’llmeet
professionalsinyourindustry.Theseeventswillgiveyouopportunitiesto
makenewconnectionswithouthavingtodirectlyfocusonnetworking.

10. Less is more.
Takethepressureoffofyourselfoffeelinglikeyouneedtocollect20
businesscardswhenyougotoanetworkingevent.Instead,focuson
makingoneortwostrongbondswiththenewpeopleyoumeet.This
relationshipswillbecomemorevaluableinthefuture.

11. Byfollowingthesetips,networkingshouldbecomelessscaryand
moreenjoyable.Remember,networkingisaboutbuildingvaluable
relationshipswithpeoplewhocanbecomefriendsandmentors!