With that being said, if you are shy it may seem hard to put yourself out there and network with strangers but with a few of my easy tips, you should be well on your way!
1. Seek Your Circle
When you first start out, network with the people you already know. This means start off by networking with your friends and family. The first thing anyone should do when starting to network is to get in touch with the people they already know. This way you can build your confidence before setting out to meet strangers. On top of that, people that you already know are more likely to point you in the right direction. They are usually the ones that go out of their way to see if they can help you out.
2. Remember these 5 Rules
Here goes the 5 rules from Dale Carnegie's book on networking titled, "How to Win Friends and Influence People."
Smile: "This is such a simple, basic rule, yet people just don't think about it," says Handal. They're so focused on needing to network at a conference that they don't realize they're walking around with a scowl on their face. Scowling, serious, expressions are forbidding, says Handal. People are more likely to warm up to someone who says good morning with a broad smile than they are to someone with a dour countenance.
Ask a question: Joining a group engaged in conversation can be awkward. The best way to do so is to pose a question to the group after getting the gist of the conversation, says Handal. "You build your credibility by asking a question, and for a shy person, that's a much easier way to engage than by barging in with an opinion," he says.
Listen: One of the most profound points Carnegie made in How to Win Friends was that people love to talk about themselves. If you can get people to discuss their experiences and opinions—and listen with sincere interest—you can have a great conversation with someone without having to say much at all.
Business cards: Always have them handy, says Handal. "They're an effective way for you to leave your name behind so that people remember who you are."
Say the person's name: "People like to hear their own name," says Handal, pointing to another one of Carnegie's basic principles—that a person's name is the sweetest sound to that person. So when you meet someone, use his name in conversation. Doing so makes the other person feel more comfortable, like you really know him and he knows you.
3. Relax and Be Yourself
You always want to remain professional in all circumstances but you should NEVER come off as being artificial. If you want to turn people off from you, being artificial can definitely do just that.
4. Tap into Your Passion
If you frequently visit certain clubs or conferences or are apart of any groups or associations those are excellent places to network! Where ever you are comfortable you will find that it is much easier to network with people in your comfort-zone. This place or these places can be just about any and everywhere that you like to go from your local fitness center to your school's XYZ club.
5. Ask for Introductions
When networking, there is usually at least one person that you know. Get to that person you know and ask for an introduction to a person that you do not know. Now, you know two people. Repeat this cycle over and over again. If you only know one person then it defeats the purpose of networking.
5. Ice the Cake
I'll be the one to tell you that sometimes, a new contact can be transformed into a great contact if you just add some flattery. Showing interest in this person and or what they do, finding common interests and congratulating them on their accomplishments can take you a long way in the networking-world.
6. Ice-Breakers
Need I say more? Come up with an ice-breaker before you approach a person you don't know. Think about your current situation such as the weather, a popular team playing that day, a late breaking news piece or whatever it is you think may get that person to open up and begin a conversation with you. You should also be ready to answer any questions they may ask you such as why you're looking for a job.
7. Follow-up
I can't stress this enough. FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP! Any connections you make will prove pointless if you do not remain in contact with them. (This doesn't mean harassing them by the way.) Share news with them that they may find helpful, useful, or interesting whether it is a news article or an upcoming event. Connecting with your contacts via social networks online are a great way to remain in contact with people and is efficient in your job search and just about necessary.
8. Never Take it Personal
Sometimes you will be rejected and sometimes you will be told no. Sometimes people will seem mean and act as if you aren't important. But this is apart of the game and it happens to the best of us. Never take it personal, just move on and know that it wasn't meant to be. There are about 6,965,294,744 people in the world and around
Thank you so much for this article! I happen to be one of those shy people that find networking to be quite a hard to task. Approaching strangers was always difficult for me but I feel that I have a new found confidence in myself after reading this.
Thanks again for your great advice and for commenting on my site!
You're welcome Charlize! I'm glad to hear that you have grown as a result from this article. Remember to push yourself to network here and there and soon it will be an automatic habit that will prove VERY beneficial to your life and career.
Good luck!