How to… stop feeling awkward at events: Five networking hacks

Face to face networking, concerts and conferences have largely been off-limits since lockdown was implemented. However, as Covid restrictions completely ease in the UK, a trend towards in-person events will start to manifest. Whilst live streaming, virtual and online events will undoubtedly remain part of the business landscape, we’re seeing a huge appetite for in-person networking opportunities. For some, this will be a liberating, exciting prospect, for others, a much more anxiety triggering experience.

Networking is one of those necessary ingredients for our professional development that thrives, at least partially, on real human interaction. Research shows that up to 80% of jobs are found through networking, as opposed to the well-used and previously trusted sending out your CV and hoping for the best.

This is all well and good for extroverts who draw their energy from relationships, but what about those with a tendency towards introversion? Introverts recharge by spending time alone and socialising with others can be tiring and sometimes overwhelming. For those anxious about approaching a room full of strangers, trying to engage in meaningful conversation and creating a great impression we give our 5 top tips to help you hack and excel at the networking game. 

1. Warm-up and ask questions / Plan ahead

Introverts’ social energy often has a limit; it’s important to know who you’d best like to meet and be introduced to. Pre-planning is essential. 

The first hurdle for introverted people might be ‘what will you talk about?’- well, planning and outlining general ideas for topics of conversations, questions you’d feel would enhance your skills or even best approaches to your work moving forward can help in reducing your anxiety. As the event approaches, do your homework and plan! 

Prepare some general questions to get the ball rolling such as, ‘What brings you to this event?’ and ‘what did you most enjoy about the speakers today?’. These questions are fairly open and don’t particularly put anyone on the spot, as well as being gateways into other topics. 

2. Get ahead with tech 

Look up who will be attending through LinkedIn and social media hashtags. You can check to see if you have any existing connections with them. You can also check the sponsor’s list and the speaker’s list online, meaning that instead of walking into an event full of strangers, you have a small list of the people you are excited to meet. Likewise, have a look at the topics the speakers will cover and what areas the speakers work in. Getting yourself ahead and learning as much as possible about the event will provide you with an ample amount of knowledge that you can base your topics of conversation around. 

You can use the LinkedIn ‘find nearby’ feature, which many have taken advantage of for networking. You can use this feature when at events or conferences to find connections or people you’d like to connect with. It’s a great way to help find people and anticipate who you’d like to talk to and what about, as opposed to heading into a room with a lot of people in and being unsure where to start.

3. End conversations gracefully 

Conversations run out of steam eventually, and sometimes this is okay and the perfect time to bow out. Don’t look around as if you’re bored or looking for another person. Confidently express it was great to meet them and maybe link up with them on LinkedIn - and that’s it!

You can even take this a step further and use that person to introduce you to further connections, or likewise, do the same for them. You could ask, ‘do you know anyone else here?’ or ‘shall we go and connect with other people together?’. You could suggest ‘I know this person from X, they would be a great link with you working X’. These conversations and perfect for connecting and moving on to find other connections. Treat it like speed dating but, less long term and as a way to progress yourself professionally. 

4. Take breaks

Too much talking, connecting and meeting new people can be overwhelming. You’ve put yourself out there and now it’s time to take a break. Don’t overdo it, breaks are necessary. 

There is no rule that says you have to be a non-stop networking machine! People can feel the pressures of feeling like they must be constantly shaking hands, making introductions and asking insightful questions all the time, this simply isn’t true. Take a little time to recharge.

Even the most extroverted of us might take a second longer in the bathroom or find an empty session room just to take a moment to reset. When you’re ready to get back out there, you can tackle it with fresh conversations.

5. Count down, don’t overthink, just do it

Everyone is there for the same reason, to connect. So, don’t think people will find you weird for approaching them - that’s what you’re all there for! Count to three and head on in! Remember, not every conversation will go as well as expected – this is normal, we’re all human.

Conferences are about what you learned, not always about who you met. Even if you come away from the meeting feeling a little bit more proactive about meeting and greeting, we call that a successful event. Remember to make a lasting impression, make some connections and most importantly have fun!

​Ready to connect and find the perfect role for you? Search the latest jobs here.