Networking isn’t about chit-chat. It’s about targeting people working in industries you are curious about, reaching out to people who currently have the job you think you might want some day, and it’s about offering something of value in addition to asking for help.
So a kid looking for a summer job locally-- an art history major, interested in breaking into the museum world. A solid networking strategy would be to make a spreadsheet of every organization within commuting distance, looking on the organization’s website which will have the department heads and their email addresses, and sometimes go much lower than that in the organization. Then an introductory email- “I’m Blossom, and I’m a college junior at Abracadabra University studying art history. I’d love to set up a 20 minute phone call so I can learn about what you do and what the key challenges of your role are. And I’m a whiz on excel, Powerpoint, and have taught myself Raiser’s Edge, so if your department or a colleague has a need for an extra pair of hands, I’m sure I can be valuable to the team. Does next Monday at 3 pm work for a call?” This would go out to historical societies, museums, archives, etc.
Or a college senior interested in a fulltime, after graduation job in television/media. Target third tier cities (which is where most folks in TV get their start) OR top tier cities but at pubic access/public television stations which are always looking for someone who can wear three hats at once since their budgets are constrained. “Hi, I’m Blossom, and I’m graduating in May from ABC college with a degree in Media Studies. I got your name from ABC’s college Career Services team (Carol says “Hi”) and I understand you are willing to be helpful to students who are starting their careers-- thank you so much! I’d love to set up time to speak so I can hear about your trajectory and how you got started in News (or Sports or Features, or whatever- look up on Linkedin to confirm their area). Let me know if next Tuesday afternoon works for you. And it goes without saying that if you have a special project or need an intern for the next few weeks, once my finals are over on December 16th I have a month and would be delighted to show you what I can do. I’m an experienced writer, producer and ad sales person for our college radio station and I know I can transfer those skills to your organization.”
Etc. You get the point. I work with kids who are months past graduation who NEVER found their way to career services in four years, and they complain that they can’t find a job because they don’t have “connections”. Connections aren’t Mommy’s tennis partner; connections are the people in YOUR specific field who want to help you because you’ve showed initiative and are genuinely interested in their careers.
Yes, introverts can write these emails!