It seems you have to network to do everything. I attended several workshops/seminars on how to get a job and they all kept saying the only way to do it is to network. Sending out resumes rarely works, they said over and over. That’s real great to hear when you’re bad at talking to people you know let alone people you don’t know. I left one workshop in full on panic mode because I thought I’d never get a job.
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| AnimeVice |
Earlier this week, I read an article on Copyblogger called 5 Ways an Introvert Can Build a Thriving Audience Online. It’s awesome. You should check it out. I’ve been quiet since middle school. Often, people equate being quiet with being shy. Even I made this assumption.
Didn’t know there was difference until I graduated college.
I enjoy reading articles like the Copyblogger one. It’s easy to feel down because you’re an introvert especially when you’re always around talkers. You start to think something’s wrong with you because you don’t like social situations. I can be social if I have to but it takes a gross amount of effort which
usually wipes me out so, it’s not something I do unless I have to.
Networking is the exact opposite of my personality or it was before social media. This is one of the reasons I’m on like nine social networks and counting. They’re fun and a fairly comfortable a way for me to network without literally throwing myself into a big crowd. A big plus, I write better than I talk.
I like being me. However, my self confidence tanks when I’m around other
people and see how much trouble I have simply interacting with them. For
all you introverts out there remember there is nothing wrong with you. I
need to be reminded of this too every now and then.
More great resources for introverts.
Shrinking Violet Promotions: The Introvert’s Bill of Rights
(Book) Susan Cain- Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
Susan Cain- Manifesto
C.S. Lakin- Live Write Thrive: A Successful Indie Author Gives Advice for Introverts
“Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.”Mark Victor Hansen
4 thoughts on “Introvert + Networking = Terror?”
Sounds like a really great article!
Networking helps to identify who you are. When you network, you'll find yourself grouped with like minded individuals, and like minded individuals are composed of those needing jobs and those having jobs to fill. 🙂 Ta Da!
Actually, people like to hire people they know they will get along with, and who better to hire than those who have certain things in common, right?
It was at my 2nd conference where I volunteered to help out at a concession stand. My volunteering was noticed by the President of the association and she asked me if I would like to volunteer as their newsletter editor. I was stunned, but ecstatic to do so. Now I'm getting loads of experience and exposure.
It helps to network, but it's sort of difficult to show people the benefits of it. You sort of have to spell it out. But it eventually makes sense.
Being an introvert is just another characteristic that comes with challenges. All of us have challenges. What matters is not letting them keep us from chasing our dreams. Thanks for sharing and letting us know that it is okay to be and understand who we are.
I can be an introvert… it depends, I think, on the situation. Other times I'll be quite lively.
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