Manage CareerEdge Alerts If the word networking makes you nervous and tense you are not alone. A lot of students think and view networking as walking into a room full of strangers and trying to impress people. No wonder it feels overwhelming.
But networking doesn’t have to look like that.
I recently read a Forbes article by Ruth Gotian, who points out that people who hate networking usually think they have to “perform.” They assume networking requires being loud, outgoing, or the most interesting person in the room. The reality? Good networking isn’t just about collecting contacts or exchanging LinkedIn, it’s about building valuable relationships.
Here are a few takeaways that make networking way less scary:
1. Start with the people you already know.
Networking doesn’t have to begin with strangers on LinkedIn. It counts when you talk to classmates, teammates, professors, coworkers, or someone you met at a club event. You already have common ground, which makes starting the conversation so much easier.
2. Quality beats quantity.
You do NOT need 300 connections to be successful. One real connection from someone who knows you and wants to see you succeed is far more valuable than ten people who can barely remember your name.
3. You don’t have to pretend to be super extroverted.
Gotian highlights that the best networkers are great listeners, not great talkers. Ask genuine questions, be curious, and let the conversation flow. People remember how you make them feel, not just about how you pitched yourself.
4. Follow up! That’s where the actual networking happens.
Although having these conversations are very important, even more important is what you make of that opportunity. Follow up with them! Send a quick thank-you, share an update, or even send along an article they might like. It shows interest and effort, which is always a positive that recruiters love to see.
If you’d like to read more here is the article I sourced this from!
