STUDENT AFFAIRS NETWORKING FOR INTROVERTS HOW TO S

STUDENT AFFAIRS NETWORKING FOR INTROVERTS: HOW TO S UCCEED IN A WORLD OF PARTY PLANNERS AND SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES! 2014 WVASPA Annual Conference Charleston, WV

SESSION OBJECTIVES Participants will: Differentiate between an introvert, ambivert, and extrovert. Identify simple strategies for building or increasing ones professional network. Implement approaches to assist negotiating aspects of work life.

INTROVERT, AMBIVERT, OR EXTROVERT? I = Introvert. Introspective. You feel energized by ideas and activities that really interest you. Prefer a few close friends. E/I = Ambivert. Sociable on your own terms. You fall smack in the middle of the introvert-extrovert spectrum. You can tap into either side when needed. E = Extrovert. Gregarious. You feel energized by interacting with people. Prefer a large social network.

ARE YOU AN INTROVERT? 1. I prefer one-on-one conversations to group activities. 2. I often prefer to express myself in writing. 3. I enjoy solitude. 4. I seem to care about wealth, fame, and status less than my peers. 5. People tell me that I'm a good listener. 6. I'm not a big risk-taker. 7. I enjoy work that allows me to "dive in" with few interruptions. 8. I like to celebrate birthdays on a small scale, with only one or two close friends or family members. 9. People describe me as "soft-spoken" or "mellow. “ 10. I prefer not to show or discuss my work with others until it's finished. 11. I tend to think before I speak. 12. I often let calls go through to voice-mail. Source: Susan Cain, Quiet

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN INTROVERT? • Typically you will have a small group of close friends • Like quiet for concentration • Tend to be careful with details, dislike sweeping statements • Have trouble remembering names and faces • Tend to not to mind working on one project for a long time without interruptions • Like to think a lot before acting

NETWORKING DEFINED Networking: the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically : the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business (Merriam-Webster online dictionary)

IDENTIFY YOUR NETWORK Colleagues inside your organization Members of professional organizations Community partners Vendors Civic organizations Family Members Friends Classmates Neighbors Former classmates and co-workers Small businesses that you frequent such as salons, banks, florist, etc.

PLACES TO BUILD YOUR NETWORK • Work • Clubs/civic organizations • Chamber of Commerce sponsored “networking” events • Professional development engagement (courses, institutes, etc. ) • Conferences • Community Events • Alumni Associations • Online through social media

ACQUAINTANCES, ALLIES, MENTORS, AND SPONSORS… Acquaintance: a person one knows slightly, but who is not a close friend. Largest group of your network. Ally: a person that you support and receive support from. Typically five to ten exist in your network. Mentor: an individual who teaches/gives help and advice. Typically only two to three in your network. Sponsor: an individual who can provide you opportunities (employment, professional, etc. ). Typically one to two in your network.

TIPS FOR NETWORKING AT CONFERENCES Have a game plan and prepare Make friends with an extrovert Start conversations with compliments…not requests for business cards Take advantage of group networking activities Take a lot of breaks to recharge

NAME TAGS AND LAPEL PINS… Name tags should be worn on the right side. This way it is easy for the person you shake hands with to look you in the eye and still see your name tag. Lapel pins should be worn on the left side. Preferably near the heart.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Attendance at meetings and conferences. Volunteer at events such as working the registration table, stuffing conference bags, etc. Present a conference session or facilitate roundtable discussion. Take advantage of the networking opportunities such as attending receptions and banquets.

THE SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACT • Facebook has over 1 Billion Users • Twitter has over 550 Million Users • Linkedin has over 2 Million Networking Groups • 40 million photos are uploaded to Instagram every day • Pinterest has 50 Million Users • 100 hours of video are uploaded to You. Tube each minute

• Web address: www. twitter. com • 500 million users • Postings: 140 character limit • On average, 400 million tweets sent per day • Information gathering site. • Follow industry leaders, companies, etc. • Choose a “handle” that is professional. • Keep Tweets professional. • 28% of retweets are due to users asking followers to “Please RT”

• Web address: www. linkedin. com • 238 million users • Professional networking site. • 50% of users have a bachelors degree or higher • Utilize for job search, networking, online resume, etc. • Create a complete profile to appear in more searches. • Make connections in a new city, company, or industry • Stay in touch with colleagues, classmates, etc. • Total number of networking groups is 1. 5 million • 1 billion endorsements were given to users

FOLLOWING UP WITH A CONTACT Send a personal email or handwritten note to the contact. Ask to connect with the individual on Linkedin. Follow-up within one week of the interaction.

1. 5 WAY TO COPE WITH THE FACT THAT YOU CAN’T REMEMBER SOMEONE’S “I know your name, but I’m NAME blocked” 2. “Of course I know you—in fact, I want all you information” 3. You’re brilliant!” 4. “One-sided Introduction” 5. The “tip of my tongue” dodge.

TEAMBUILDING FOR INTROVERTS • Allow time for individual reflection. • Avoid icebreakers with a lot of personal contact. • Don’t put too much focus on individuals during activity. • Educate group about differences between “introverts” and “extroverts. ” • Mix activities—allow some time for larger group activities and some time for individual one-on-one projects.

MEETINGS MADE EASY • Send out an agenda in advance of the meeting. • Establish ground rules or follow a set of rules such as Robert’s Rules of Order. • Facilitate meeting so that everyone has the opportunity to speak. • As the meeting facilitator, observe both verbal and non-verbal cures when facilitating project discussion. • Allow for individuals to submit comments after a meeting on important decisions, etc. • Be mindful of the time.

FINDING THE “SWEET” SPOT AT WORK • Cancel your social plans on the weekend before a big meeting or group project at work. • Practice journaling, yoga, or meditation. • Calendar block—block of specific times during your day to work on projects alone, check email, etc. • Chose technology—use email to communicate instead of lots of back to back meetings. • Always set a meeting agenda and send it out beforehand—this helps introverts to process the information and reflect prior to the meeting. • Take your vacation time.

RECHARGE

RESOURCES Breitbarth, W. (2011). The Power Formula for Linkedin Success. Kick-start your business, brand your job search. Austin, TX: Greenleaf Book Group Press. Cain, S. (2012). Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking. New York, NY: Broadway Books. Myers, I. B. , Mc. Caulley, M. H. , Quenk, N. L. and Hammer, A. L. (2009). MBTI ® Manual. A guide to the development and use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® instrument. Third Edition. CPP: Mountain View, CA. Images: Google Image Search

CONTACT INFORMATION Candice Stadler, Director of Career Services New River Community and Technical College • Phone: 304. 929. 5020 • Email: cstadler@newriver. edu • Twitter: @Candice. Stadler • Linkedin: www. linkedin. com/in/candicestadler