I really like social networking sites. My only problem with them is that I don't really like talking to people and being part of a group. I often joke that one of these days, I'm going to create an anti-social network for introverts. The thing is, I'm not actually anti-social, it's just that I'm a private person and don't always feel comfortable interacting with large groups of people.
That being said, social networking is here to stay and it's becoming more and more relevant. In fact, having a vibrant social network is one of the best things you can do to increase your odds of finding a new job.
So, how can you learn to embrace social networking if you are an introvert? Here are a few tips: Appreciate what makes you different - There are many good things about being introverted. One of the best things is that introverts excel at one-on-one conversations as opposed to talking to a group. Use this to your advantage by building strong, personal relationships with your contacts.
Don't be afraid to make first contact - Introducing myself to people used to make me very anxious. I never wanted to be the one to walk up to someone at a networking event and start a conversation. I knew it was holding me back, so I decided to make a 30 day pact with myself to initiate a conversation with someone I didn't know at least once a day. It wasn't easy. Each time I started a conversation with random people around town, I half expected them to think I was crazy or something. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that, on the whole, everyone I spoke with was kind and interesting.
Give yourself time to re-charge - Accept that social interactions wear you out more quickly than most people. Once you come to terms with that, you can schedule enough quiet time to re-energize and re-charge.
When it comes to social networking, you can't afford to not make connections. Don't let introversion hold you back in your career. The key is to understand what makes you special and give yourself the support and encouragement to reach out to others.
Has social networking helped you in your career? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for ManufacturingWorkersBlog and Nexxt. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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