Written by Sam Wisell, Career Coach

Published January 22nd , 2026

Networking with other professionals can be challenging and draining for introverts because of common misconceptions that we don’t like people or are shy. Introverts simply react differently to various external stimuli than extroverts. In fact, introversion is a beautiful way to navigate the world. 

Networking for Career-Seeking Adults

As career-seeking adults, the willingness and ability to network with other professionals is often crucial to getting a job, especially in competitive industries. Networking is also an excellent way to conduct career research right from the source and it is more efficient than wading through all the information that comes from an internet search. 

Perhaps you have a more accurate understanding of networking, but most people feel some avoidance when they hear this term, regardless of where they fall on the spectrum of introversion and extroversion. 

Professional Relationships for Introverts

The reality is, building professional relationships for introverts isn’t that different from building other relationships. You will likely find approaches and tips here that you are already doing. There are numerous, often overlooked, ways to build your professional network in less formal settings that allow for more natural conversation and fortuitous encounters with people in your industry.

• Volunteer and Join Committees. Getting involved and volunteering either for an organization or a task at an event provides a more structured way to meet people and establish a connection while simultaneously working on a collective goal.
• Attend Workshops or Classes. This provides a focus on learning and skill development, rather than solely on continuous conversation. It also perfectly serves up an initial talking point about the shared interest.
• Join Online Communities. Participation in webinars, online forums, or groups related to your career field are great ways to engage in discussions and share insights that can help build relationships over time.

Regardless of the setting, it is important to start with understanding your unique traits, cultivate them into strengths, and use them to your advantage.

In-Person Networking Events

These can include formal events like career fairs, expos, conferences, employer events and are great opportunities to engage in career exploration, grow your professional community, and find job opportunities. Seeking out small gatherings is ideal to allow for more meaningful conversations, but don’t avoid these larger opportunities because they feel daunting. Making a plan will be the key to your success. If you are struggling to find the career events, you can schedule an appointment with our career coach at https://careers.utah.edu/. 

Before The Event

• Charge your batteries
  • Introverts have a finite amount of social energy, so consider limiting some of your social plans prior to the event and make time for the solitude or activity that energizes you. Some examples are a solo creative activity, exercise, meditation, cooking, being in nature, or just practicing the art of “not doing.”

• Research
  •  Look up the employers or other professionals that will be at the event. Determine who you want to talk to based on your goal and then dig deeper to uncover some areas of interest to talk to them about. Topics can include the company’s current job or internship posting, an individual’s position within a company, their career pathway, insight into the industry, and shared interests. Small talk and superficialities can feel draining for an introvert, so look for information that you can use to make a casual conversation more meaningful and prepare your talking points. Embrace your curiosity!

• Make a Plan
  •  Networking events are often designed to allow participants to come and go as they please. If your schedule allows, consider attending during a time of the day when you tend to have more energy.
  • Make a list of who you want to talk to and put them in order of priority. If you are the resolute type, you could consider setting a reasonable goal of how many people from your list that you will talk to. The idea here is instead of trying to make numerous connections at once, focus on making a few quality connections.
  • Pack items or snacks to bring with you to enjoy during your “recharge breaks” at the event. 

During The Event

• Pay attention to your energy levels and know your limits. 
• Take time outs for mini solitude sessions. My go-to recharge break, since cuddling up with my dog isn’t an option at a networking event, includes finding a spot to sit outside to eat some gummy bears and watch an SNL skit on my phone. Laughing is one of my most potent recharge activities when time is not in abundance. 
• Remember, meaningful conversations can be energizing for introverts. Use this to your advantage and ask those curiosity questions that feel engaging for you.

After The Event

• Bask in your success and recharge that battery!
• Follow up with the connections you made.You just did a lot of work to build those relationships, so take the time to maintain them. 

Online Networking

Virtual interactions are often more comfortable because you are focused on one person at a time. Social media platforms like LinkedIn, industry-specific forums, and your college’s alumni networks can be excellent places to more comfortably initiate professional connections without face-to-face interaction. University of Utah students can utilize Forever Utah to connect with fellow grads from their same major, working at companies of interest, or to find a mentor for more long-term support.

• Search for professionals and send messages through these platforms. This approach requires the same research you would do prior to a networking event.
• Aim to schedule an informational interview with them to further build that connection. Depending on your comfort level, you could arrange for a phone call, video chat, or an informal meeting over coffee or lunch. Keep in mind, these “curiosity conversations” are designed for you to gather information about the career, company, and/or industry, not to ask for a job. 

Successful networking is a career skill that can be developed by anyone that is willing to dedicate some time to cultivating it. Continue developing your unique strengths and stay persistent. You may even find that you can come to love talking with strangers.