Can you be an INTROVERT and have a successful JOB SEARCH

Can you be an INTROVERT and have a successful JOB SEARCH It seems like: introvert + job search = failure Doesnt it? Doesnt all the advice point to networking? And doesnt networking mean you have to meet people, smile, be happy and excited and positive? WAIT!!! STOP!!! Yes, your relationships can and should play a big role in your job search, and the success of your job search. But if you are introverted, or scared to death to be an extrovert (or fake being an extrovert), there is still hope for you. Lots of hope. Social networking is a powerful tool for introverts because they are not in a high-pressure social environment. But introverts can thrive at non-social networking, too. They can definitely thrive. Take what you think networking is all about you know, all the stuff extroverts seem to thrive at, and discard it. Networking is more about developing real relationships than it is knowing everyone your city, or industry. Networking is more about one-on-one than it is collecting dozens or hundreds of business cards and email addresses (and then doing nothing with them). Networking is more about thoughtfulness and follow-up than it is blasting general emails and updated to people who really dont feel like they know you (and dont really care about you). Can an introvert thrive at that stuff? Definitely. Do not hide behind the title/stereotype of being an introvert to think you cannot network. Want a book recommendation?  Here you go: The Successful Introvert, by one of my favorite introverts, Wendy Gelberg. Wendy is the real deal.  Shes introverted.  Shes quiet.  Shes not the one who is at the network meeting shaking everyones hand, smiling at everyone and pretending shes the host. She might walk away from the meeting only having had one or two conversations. But those conversations will have been really good. The people she talked with will have felt cared about.  She will have worked on breaking beyond a superficial relationship and getting to a deeper relationship. She is an introvert who walks her talk, and shes someone you should listen to. You can pick up her book here. Can you be an INTROVERT and have a successful JOB SEARCH It seems like: introvert + job search = failure Doesnt it? Doesnt all the advice point to networking? And doesnt networking mean you have to meet people, smile, be happy and excited and positive? WAIT!!! STOP!!! Yes, your relationships can and should play a big role in your job search, and the success of your job search. But if you are introverted, or scared to death to be an extrovert (or fake being an extrovert), there is still hope for you. Lots of hope. Social networking is a powerful tool for introverts because they are not in a high-pressure social environment. But introverts can thrive at non-social networking, too. They can definitely thrive. Take what you think networking is all about you know, all the stuff extroverts seem to thrive at, and discard it. Networking is more about developing real relationships than it is knowing everyone your city, or industry. Networking is more about one-on-one than it is collecting dozens or hundreds of business cards and email addresses (and then doing nothing with them). Networking is more about thoughtfulness and follow-up than it is blasting general emails and updated to people who really dont feel like they know you (and dont really care about you). Can an introvert thrive at that stuff? Definitely. Do not hide behind the title/stereotype of being an introvert to think you cannot network. Want a book recommendation?  Here you go: The Successful Introvert, by one of my favorite introverts, Wendy Gelberg. Wendy is the real deal.  Shes introverted.  Shes quiet.  Shes not the one who is at the network meeting shaking everyones hand, smiling at everyone and pretending shes the host. She might walk away from the meeting only having had one or two conversations. But those conversations will have been really good. The people she talked with will have felt cared about.  She will have worked on breaking beyond a superficial relationship and getting to a deeper relationship. She is an introvert who walks her talk, and shes someone you should listen to. You can pick up her book here. Can you be an INTROVERT and have a successful JOB SEARCH It seems like: introvert + job search = failure Doesnt it? Doesnt all the advice point to networking? And doesnt networking mean you have to meet people, smile, be happy and excited and positive? WAIT!!! STOP!!! Yes, your relationships can and should play a big role in your job search, and the success of your job search. But if you are introverted, or scared to death to be an extrovert (or fake being an extrovert), there is still hope for you. Lots of hope. Social networking is a powerful tool for introverts because they are not in a high-pressure social environment. But introverts can thrive at non-social networking, too. They can definitely thrive. Take what you think networking is all about you know, all the stuff extroverts seem to thrive at, and discard it. Networking is more about developing real relationships than it is knowing everyone your city, or industry. Networking is more about one-on-one than it is collecting dozens or hundreds of business cards and email addresses (and then doing nothing with them). Networking is more about thoughtfulness and follow-up than it is blasting general emails and updated to people who really dont feel like they know you (and dont really care about you). Can an introvert thrive at that stuff? Definitely. Do not hide behind the title/stereotype of being an introvert to think you cannot network. Want a book recommendation?  Here you go: The Successful Introvert, by one of my favorite introverts, Wendy Gelberg. Wendy is the real deal.  Shes introverted.  Shes quiet.  Shes not the one who is at the network meeting shaking everyones hand, smiling at everyone and pretending shes the host. She might walk away from the meeting only having had one or two conversations. But those conversations will have been really good. The people she talked with will have felt cared about.  She will have worked on breaking beyond a superficial relationship and getting to a deeper relationship. She is an introvert who walks her talk, and shes someone you should listen to. You can pick up her book here.