7 Tips To Make Networking Less Scary For Introverts

7 Tips To Make Networking Less Scary For Introverts platzi.com 2. Live on campus. By living on campus I don’t mean living in dorms or university housing (although that can work to your advantage as well), I mean being on campus as much as possible. University campuses have loads to offer: libraries, student centers, fitness rooms and more. Utilize these. Rather than only showing up for class and darting home, spend some time in the library regularly or some mornings at the gym. When you see people of a similar schedule, smile and say hi. An easy way to make yourself known on campus is to be on campus. Before you know it, youll start running into familiar peers and professors all the time. 3. Work on campus. The only thing better than just being on campus is working on campus. Working on campus not only forces you to be present and to interact with people, but also gives you great professional ties. If your professors and peers see you consistently around, they’re likely to find you more approachable and dedicated. Your university employer will probably have strong ties to other professors and heads of departments around the college; talk to them about your career aspirations. As long as you are polite and work hard, they’ll be instrumental in helping you score potential higher up positions. 4. Become a regular. Sometimes half the battle is just showing up and you would be surprised what being a punctual, consistent student can do for your networking. When teachers recognize you as a regular in their class, they’re more apt to remember your name and help you further. Sometimes you might find it hard to speak up in class, but that’s okay. Nodding, taking notes, sitting near the front, and looking interested can be just as good. If talking in class isn’t your thing, you can always visit their office hours or send them an email. 5. Ask small questions. If you want to build better connections with your professors, ask for small favors from them. An easy way to break the ice first is to go up and introduce yourself after class in the first week. Shake their hand and say that you’re looking forward to learning more. Show them that you have an interest in their teaching by asking them a question. Send them an email about what they think you should read on a certain subject or shoot them an idea for a paper. This can be in person, over phone, or over email (as long as you keep it clean and professional). They’ll see you as a driven student and will rave about your good habits should you use them for reference. Becoming acquainted with your professors can also make speaking up in class less harrowing. 6. Use your friends’ connections. Sometimes your friends are better at networking than you are and that’s okay. Talk to your friends (and family too) about potential job openings or opportunities in areas you might be interested in. Dropping the employer an email with your friend’s name in it can be a huge step in securing a spot in the opening. Don’t expect to be hired immediately, but know that having a present employee as a reference can be the difference between getting a response or not. http://www.medicaltourismcongress.com/ 7. Keep it professional. Being outgoing may not be your strong suit, but being professional can be. Looking and acting professional isn’t as much social talent as you think. Make sure to smile, introduce yourself, and shake hands while doing so. Give a simple greeting or smile when passing someone. Use polite words like “please” and “thank you” often. The simple phrase “it was nice to see/meet you” can go a long way. Being attentive and listening well can work wonders. Overall, networking isn’t about seeking out the top employers at a company and charming your way to the top. Networking can be done simply by acquainting yourself with the people around you. Especially on a university campus, there are loads of people to help you along. Sometimes being polite and present is the best way to build a network.