SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR SHY PEOPLE
Social networking is not easy for shy people. Social networking in a group setting requires you to "work a room" and "sell yourself" and your qualifications. If you are good at selling yourself, social networking is a cinch. Well, I am one of the shy people. I hated attending these networking meetings because they made me feel uncomfortable. Not once did I find a contact to help me find a job either. I do know of people who have found jobs this way, and social networking is extremely important in Atlanta, Georgia. I, for one, am not comfortable, so I had to let it go. Finding a job is stressful enough, why force yourself to do something that makes you feel awkward.
Not everyone has the "gift of gab" or has the personality to win people over. This is unfortunate for people who have wonderful skills to offer an employer. Trust me, you are not the only one losing out because of your shyness. There is a company out there who needs your skills, but since you are shy, they may never know unless you find another way to introduce yourself to them.
I learned early that I was not good at "working a room" at these networking meetings so I decided to find other ways to network. Some of my methods are common, but some of them are not so common, but effective. I started out using my methods to solely find a job, but during my networking I found friends and business partners.
One thing I learned is that you have to keep in constant contact with your contacts. You must ensure that you remain familiar to them and you will get positive feedback. You might even find yourself deciding to work for yourself with the arsenal of contacts you find.
I have written a 9-page e-doc called, "Social Networking: Various Ways to Find Job Contacts in Atlanta, Georgia". In this e-doc I have written about various ways to network without attending group networking meetings and I have given you a list of contacts to use and links to sites that will give you more information. Two things to keep in mind with this e-doc: 1) you must be willing to use my methods, and use them constantly and 2) keep a spreadsheet or database of your contacts so you can follow up with them. You must also remain positive that you will find a job. Be as positive as possible when contacting people. It is much easier to describe your qualifications when you are comfortable.
My methods do not guarantee you a job, but it sure does give you ideas. I am hoping that the information contained in the e-doc will help you as much as it has and still is helping me. I would also like to hear your comments after you have tried out the various methods.
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