UXPA2019 Networking for Introverts: How Attending UXPA Can Help You Land a Job
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When attending a conference or industry event, you may be wondering how to talk to people you don’t know and what exactly to say. In this session, you’ll learn how to stop avoiding social situations and start putting yourself out there. I’ll give you practical tips on how to make connections, learn from others, and move your career forward by making the most of your time at this conference. Whether you are looking for a new job or just hoping to meet others who share your interests, we can all benefit from a bit of skillful networking. Find out how attending UXPA helped me land a job and how it can ultimately help you, too.
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UXPA2019 Networking for Introverts: How Attending UXPA Can Help You Land a Job
- 1. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Networking for Introverts …and how attending #UXPA2019 can help you land a job By Dawn Ace (Burngasser) www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-ace
- 2. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Why Do We Network?
- 3. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Why Do We Network?
- 4. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Why Do We Network?
- 5. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Who is this talk for? Introverts & Extroverts • Introverts, duh • People who will be interacting with introverts • Networking with them • Interviewing them • Working with them People Looking to Network • Someone looking for a job • Anyone who is not looking for a job, but looking to network • Meet new people • Hiring someone • Gaining clients • Getting referrals • Promoting your business
- 6. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! What is an introvert?
- 7. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! What is an introvert? Super legitimate source:
- 8. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! What is an extrovert?
- 9. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! What is an extrovert? Super legitimate source:
- 10. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! I’m an Introvert 16personalities.com
- 11. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! “You Need Some Serious Introvert Cred” credibility with other introverts; proof that you are one of them
- 12. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! “You Need Some Serious Introvert Cred” Photo from this list of the top 23 must-read UX books: https://www.mockplus.com/blog/post/ux-design-books
- 13. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Networking Tips …and how to make the most of your time at this conference
- 14. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Networking for Introverts Be Yourself • It’s ok to be your introverted (or extroverted) self • You don’t need to “fake it” Be Genuinely Interested • You’ll naturally ask questions, won’t have to do much talking, and you’ll make a good connection • If you aren’t genuinely interested in getting to know them… then why are you talking to them?
- 15. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! You May Need to Start with Small Talk What do you do?
- 16. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Networking for Introverts Ask Questions • Open-ended “why” questions • Find out what they are passionate about Quality over Quantity • Go deeper than just small talk • One meaningful question can be impactful • A few meaningful connections are all you need
- 17. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Ask “Why” Questions (and what, and how) Why do you love it?
- 18. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Networking for Introverts Introverts are Great at Listening & Observing • Ask lots of questions and listen to what the other person has to say • Listen and respond naturally • Focus on their answers, not your response • Your observation skills will help with interpersonal communication You Connect with & Care About People • Your interest in getting to know the other person will be refreshing • You’re not just trying to hand them a business card • You don’t land a job by focusing on what you want to get • You will stand out to someone because you asked them something interesting or connected with them personally
- 19. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Networking for Introverts Don’t Worry About Yourself • Instead, worry about the other person • Chances are, they are nervous to talk to you too • Focus on the other person and try to put them at ease Offer Them Something • Don’t look to get something out of it • Instead have a service mindset; have something to offer • There are many things you can offer (advice or insight, sharing your experiences, listening to them, introducing them to someone)
- 20. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Why I’m Giving This Talk …and how I started networking & job hunting at the conference last year
- 21. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! So Now I Need to Network • But you’re always networking • You’re always meeting people anyway • It’s a small world after all • Use your connections • You know more people than you think • Conferences are a great way to meet new people (attendees, speakers) • Look for networking / activity-based events (here and elsewhere) • Look for professional organizations (ex: local UXPA chapter)
- 22. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! What Did I Do? • I used the job board • And I didn’t even have a resume! • You can look for job postings and recruiters • You can post your contact info or business card • I had conversations • I talked to vendors to practice • I talked to the people I already knew • I didn’t put too much pressure on myself
- 23. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! What Did I Do? • I used social media • To contact conference attendees • To respond to messages from people not attending the conference • …and other electronic communications • I used text messages to set up interviews & meetings • I checked emails frequently and responded promptly
- 24. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! What Did I Do? • I kept in touch with old connections • Talked to the one person I knew there, who I had worked with before • Used electronic communications to keep in touch with others • …and made new ones • Got introductions through the person I already knew • Asked around to find out who was hiring
- 25. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Looking for a Job? • It’s ok to say you’re looking • It’s not a bad thing to tell someone you’re in the market for a new job • Be prepared to talk about why and what you’re looking for • Keep an open mind, but be honest • …but don’t make it all about that • Remember, you should have something to offer (a skill, for example) • Don’t make the job your primary focus
- 26. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! The Hidden Job Market • It’s estimated that about 80% of the jobs available are never posted or advertised • These jobs are typically offered internally (to other employees) or to known connections before they are posted • About 70-85% of jobs are found through networking Source: Forbes.com
- 27. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Not Looking for a Job? • Someday you might be • Even if your job is perfect right now, it might not be in the future • You may find new & better opportunities when you least expect it • …and you want people to remember you • Always be open to meeting new people without any expectation of getting something in return • Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to network, and you will meet people naturally
- 28. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Why You Should Network Anyway • Learn new things • Find people who are doing the thing you want to do in the future • Learn more about what they do and why they love it • Get Some Resources • People are full of knowledge and information • You might find a new perspective • If there’s something you’d like to know more about – anything at all – chances are someone at the conference can tell you about it ……
- 29. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! So What Happened? • I got a job! • I got a new job that I love in my home town and made connections with people in other cities • I learned a lot about networking and job searching • I decided to share what I learned • I learned that you’re always networking and meeting new people • You never know when someone will help you, or when you will help someone else
- 30. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Questions? Feel free to ask me now or afterwards – I’d love to hear from you!
- 31. #UXPA2019 uxpa2019.org Download our mobile app at UXPA.org/2019app and share feedback via the conference survey! Networking Prompts
Editor's Notes
- Good morning everyone! First I want to say thank you so much for coming to my session this morning. I realize there are a lot of great sessions going on at the same time, so it really means a lot to me that you’re here. I would also like to let you know that this is a presentation, and not a full networking session. While I do hope to leave some time for networking at the end, this a talk that’s focused on networking tips that will help you throughout the week. This is also my first time speaking at UXPA, so I hope you enjoy my talk and that you’ll leave some feedback in the UXPA app. So… Welcome to “Networking for Introverts” and how attending UXPA can help you land a job (if that's what you're looking for) So, quick show of hands: how many of you are introverts? - ok, I see a few people willingly raised their hands, and the rest of you are too introverted to do so Now you may be thinking - if I'm an introvert, why do I need to network at all? Can't I just stay home and read??
- Maybe you’re looking for a better job with better perks (like working from home), or some kind of a side hustle or freelance gig
- Maybe you’re looking to make more money - whether that’s through a new job, or through promoting your business, gaining clients, selling your services, etc.
- And, maybe you’re just looking to make some friends or acquaintances. Even if you have plenty of friends and co-workers, you might not know anyone at the conference. So if you don’t want to be lonely all week and eat lunch by yourself, you need to find a way to get to know some people while you’re here.
- So, who is this talk for? Introverts, duh! People who will be interacting with introverts (networking with them, interviewing them, etc) Anyone who is looking for a job Someone who is not looking for a job, but is looking to network to fill a need (hiring someone, gaining clients, promoting their business, just genuinely meeting people and making connections) Anyone who is looking to sharpen their networking skills or get some tips on how to make the most of their time at this conference So, I will be providing you with some tips to help you throughout the week and with networking and job searching in general. So why should you listen to me?
- So, according to 16personalities.com I am 75% introverted and 25% extroverted. This website will also give you details about your personality type, such as strengths and weaknesses in the workplace, and what kinds of careers you would be good at. (Apparently I should be a writer, for example.) It only takes a few minutes, so I strongly recommend taking this test if you’re interested in learning whether you are in introvert or an extrovert, along with other personality traits. You can take the test yourself here: 16personalities.com
- Now, when I told my co-workers I was giving this presentation, they said I don’t seem like an introvert and that I need to “prove myself” They said “you need to provide some serious introvert cred.”
- So, they suggested I start with cardigans, books, and pictures of my 3 cats. But I hope I’ve proven myself for now, because this talk isn’t about me… it’s about you! What can you do to get comfortable networking, meet new people, and use this to get something — a job, a client, a new-hire, etc.
- Be Yourself! - It’s ok to be your introverted (or extroverted) self – use your introvert skills to your advantage!! - There are many skills & natural abilities that make introverts great networkers! - You don’t need to “fake it” Be Genuinely Interested Be open-minded and interested in getting to know others You’ll naturally ask questions, won’t have to do much talking, and you’ll make a good connection If you aren’t genuinely interested in getting to know them… then why are you talking to them? So you might be thinking: this all sounds great, no problem. But I have no idea what to say!!
- You have to break the ice somehow. Ask lots of questions, like "where are you from?" and "What do you do?"
- But what if you don’t know what to say??? …Ask Questions - Open-ended questions Not just what, but why – not just “what do you love about your job” but why you love it Find out what they are passionate about and interested in – and they will remember you! Quality over Quantity Introverts can’t stand small talk; go deeper and really get to know the person you’re talking to – chances are, other people don’t like small talk either! - Asking one meaningful question (ex: why do you love your job?) > can be more impactful than asking 12 surface-level questions (ex: how ‘bout this weather?) - You don’t need to meet everybody; a few meaningful connections are better than a bunch of people who don’t remember you
- 2 points + story about GA position Introverts are Great Listeners - Use your listening skills by asking lots of questions and listening to what the other person has to say Listen and respond naturally; focus on their answers, not your response Introverts are quite observant – use this to your advantage! It can help you with recognizing facial expressions and body language, and make you better at interpersonal communication. You may also observe or overhear something and be able to use that to break the ice (ex: I noticed you work for this company; did I hear you say you’re from Florida?) You Connect with & Care About People Your interest in getting to know the other person will be refreshing You’re not just trying to hand them a business card or make a sales pitch You don’t land a job by focusing on what you want to get You will stand out to someone because you asked them something interesting or offered them something Story: before I started the master’s of UX program at kent state, I attended a class to watch the presentations and write a story on them for the school newspaper. I thought they were interesting and asked lots of questions about the program afterwards. Later, I applied to the program and received a GA position. It wasn’t until about 6 months or a year into the job that I found out the person I was working with had recommended me to the professor, because he remembered that I asked lots of questions and seemed interested in the field. This is just one example of how networking can pay off later on, when you weren’t trying to get something out of it in the first place.
- So many people are so focused on “what are they going to think of me? Will I make a good impression? What if I say the wrong thing?” Chances are, the other person is thinking these things too! People are often too worried about themselves to be worried about you — so put the focus on putting them at ease and things will work out naturally — makes it easier for both of you Offer then Something – and yes, you do have something to offer -don’t just try to get something out of it
- The story of the conference last year
- I used the job board And I didn’t even have a resume! You can look for job postings and recruiters – reach out to them on social media, text, email, etc. You can post your contact info or business card – even if you write it on a piece of paper! I had conversations I talked to vendors to practice – asked about what their company does, are they hiring, what are they looking for, etc. I talked to the people I already knew – people I was volunteering with, I went up to speakers after sessions (this is part of that listening/observational skills)
- Not looking for a job? Someday you might be… - Even if your job is perfect right now, it might not be in the future - You may find new & better opportunities when you least expect it (many people who are not looking find a netter job opportunity or side hustle) …and you want people to remember you Always be open to meeting new people without any expectation of getting something in return Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to network
- Learn new things Find people who are doing the thing you want to do in the future – example: if you’ve always wanted to speak at a conference, you can find someone who has done it before, ask about it, learn more Learn more about what they do and why they love it – try to find out if this is something you would like doing, and what you need to do to get there Resources & new perspective For example, you’ve always wanted to work from home, but then you talk to someone at the conference who does it and you find out it’s not all it’s cracked up to be If you want to learn a new skill or find out books you can read, etc. – people are happy to provide those! And chances are you know a few as well