The daunting tasks of socialization. Some of us are good at it most of us are horrible at it. If you are like me you were taught to keep your head down and study. That school would be the solution to all your problems.
Well let me tell you that didn’t work out so well for me. Maybe because I had no direction or maybe because I had no connections. I have a Masters, a bachelor’s, and an AA degree. However, when in school I didn’t socialized. I didn’t form part of a study group. It wasn’t because I thought I was better I was just really shy and still am. So I never really had a network of friends. Of course I had a job, but not a job that related to school and not one that I wanted to keep.
So what happens? I apply to the position I want and don’t get in. Why? Maybe it was my resume, maybe it was my experience.See most employers want experience, but they usually don’t want to help get you the experience. This is where Networking comes in. If you have at least an acquaintance, you can usually get through the door no problem. Sometimes you don’t even need the education or they will tell you what to study to become better.
Like most people I don’t have a network and so I have been stuck at a small mom and pop shop for years now, trying to apply to other jobs but no luck. I’m overqualified, underqualified, or dont have experience.
So I have been trying to work on my networking skills and have slowly started coming out of my shell. I now ask random people what they do for a living, in hopes to build a pool of potential jobs I could apply for while learning about thw hiring process. I also try to form a memorable connection with them by complimenting them or trying to be funny. This won’t always work, but you have to start somewhere.
So you might say why do I need to network? The truth is like I mentioned most companies that are worth staying in don’t want to go through the hassle of training, so they hire people that are recommended and are suppose to know how to do the job. Also, these companies solely have hirings because people stay until they retire. Having someone on the inside can help give you the inside scoop of who to talk to and when. Networking makes you visible when you are otherwise invisible.
If you manage to make really good friends they can also be your mentor or coach while you are training on the job. They will teach you tips and trick to impress, so that your probation goes over smoothly. So if your like me, you have no friends, no network, and your not in school you might be asking yourself how do I create a network?
- Like I mentioned before you could break out of your shell and start talking to people you find out in the world or social media. The good about this day and age is that in today’s society everything is about social media. Information is at our fingertips. All you have to do is open an account, but not just any account a professional Networking account.
- A professional social media account can be on Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, anywhere really, but keep it professional. You want an account your potential employers can be impressed with. Post about your skills, post about hobbies that are related to your dream career or that incorporate some skill that could be useful in that role you want.
- Start following people in the same company that might have some footing or people you look up to that have similar values as the company you want to work for. There are even sometimes forums that are sometimes open to the public that show when the company is holding networking events.
- Keep you account clean, professional, and authentic. Do not air out your laundry, but be yourself. Nothing is worse that being like those dating apps where their profile say one thing, but in person they are another. The same goes with the company. They are looking at your profile to see if they want to date you.
All in all to say don’t be shy. Take the leap and see where the world can take you. You don’t have to be everyone’s best friend but at least let them know you exist. Kindness can go along way.
I will leave links to some books that I think will be helpful. I am an Amazon affiliate, so I do make a commission off qualifying purchases
- The Introvert’s Edge to Networking: Leverage Social Media
- The Introvert’s Edge: How the Quiet and Shy Can Outsell Anyone
- Guerilla Marketing For Job Hunters
- Networking for People Who Hate Networking,
One last thing don’t forget to follow up. People are busy so don’t take it personal when they don’t answer a message, email, or comment. Be patient resend the message if necessary but don’t spam. Give them some time to respond.