Networking is a common fear many people share. Whether it’s not knowing what to say or simply the fear of approaching a stranger, networking can be difficult, but it’s one of the most important steps to developing your career.
Are you getting ready to attend a networking event? Here are some tips that can help you prepare:
1.Baby steps.
Generally, I’m not an extroverted person. Talking to a stranger, let alone a room full of strangers, is stepping out of my comfort zone. I gradually began to control my fear of networking by approaching individuals one-by-one. CareerTalk, which can be found on Beedie Community, was a resource I used to initially connect with industry professionals. This led to phone conversations and in-person coffee chats, which were stepping stones to allow me to be comfortable conversing with strangers. I worked my way up to attending networking events by attending conferences and workshops where I got the opportunity to meet industry professionals, make new connections, but not have the stress of a network-based event.
2. Be confident.
You must deal with your fear in order to overcome it. If you walk into an event with fear, other attendees will be able to read your body language, see it in your face, and hear it in your voice. I recall a situation where prior to attending the Business Passport Networking session, I knew this would involve interacting with others and immediately dreaded attending. I overcame this obstacle by simply saying aloud, “I am confident. I am not afraid.” It may seem silly, but odd enough, it adjusted my mentality. Moments before I entered the classroom, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes to calm my nerves. This allowed me to focus on my confidence and my demeanour, in order to make a good, sincere impression.
I hope these tips help stifle some fear stemming from networking. It may help to know that some of the people you meet may be as anxious as you, but they have learned to manage their composure. You can too!
Vivian Luc recently graduated from the Beedie School of Business with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. After graduation, she decided to give back to her peers by helping them through their academic journey by becoming a Business Career Coach. During her time at SFU, Vivian was enrolled in the Co-op program and earned a role at Elim Village as a Human Resources Assistant. Fast forward a year and a half later, she is now working in their Marketing department as a Brand Ambassador and is involved in various communications projects.