Start Your Career Early Leveraging Strengths as a Young Introvert in College - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Start Your Career Early Leveraging Strengths as a Young Introvert in College - Introvert Whisperer Start Your Career Early: Leveraging Strengths as a Young Introvert in College Every culture seems to develop a preference for several specific traits. While one culture worships thin, trim or athletic bodies, another favors the curvier, more robust ones. The same is true with introversion and extroversion. Asian cultures prefer the quiet, contained mannerisms of an introvert, American culture seems to reward loud, outgoing, extroverted personalities. If you are an introvert, you can move to Asia where your innate characteristics are more preferred. Or, you can also learn how to use your strengths to their best advantage right here in the good old U.S. of A. Knowing yourself is one of the first steps to achieving success. Without knowing what your strengths and weaknesses are, you cant leverage any of them. While many college programs and events such as mixers, meet-and-greets, and other networking opportunities gear more towards extroverts, that doesnt mean introverts cant be as successful at networking. They might have to be more strategic in how they do it. Here are 3 ways for introverted college students to leverage their strengths and jump-start their career. It’s Not Scary If It’s Systematic Networking is an extroverted way of relating to the world, based on quantity over quality. The theory is that the more people you know, the stronger your network is. Yet, introverts have a great capacity for developing deeper and more intimate relationships. This is a strength they can use to their advantage. While networking events can be important, they are not the preferred environment of introverts. Nothing says networking events are the only places you can cultivate contacts. In fact, introverts may do far better doing research and setting up appointments with a few strategic prospects rather than trying to press the flesh with the masses. When you set your goal related to building career-focused connections, you will come closer to knowing your next steps. Make a plan of how many people you need to meet and in what areas. Are those senior students in your field, or you want to connect with a few key professors? Do you want to meet three persons working in a certain company? What can a certain person do for your career? Develop a strategy and put in on paper on in a sheet. You can organize your list by importance to know where to start.   Think about how to connect with those people and where. Prepare a speech or questions and then make your strategic move approach an individual in person or online. Remember that the business world is full of introverts like you. When you go to that next networking event, instead of trying to dive into the center of the action like the extroverts do, try skirting the edges of the room to find people like you. Look for the outliers and strike up a conversation. The likelihood is, you may find a kindred soul who can open several other doors for you. Sometimes, its not about how many people you know, but about knowing the right people. The chances are on your side. Its more likely that you will impress the influential introvert than some loud, chattering extrovert. Leverage Written Communication Introverts tend to prefer to think before they act or speak, so they enjoy written communication. Since this is what they prefer they can often be far more eloquent in an e-mail or letter that they might be in person. This is another skill that introverts can use to their advantage. Extroverts often prefer cold calling because they are better on their feet. Introverts can use emails, social media, and even hand-written letters to stand out from the crowd. Letters, in particular, are one great way to set yourself apart from the hundreds of emails that most busy or influential people get every day. While you will have to meet people face-to-face at some time, you will often do better preparing in advance for your actions. Blogging is another great way for introverts to establish their professional presence. Blogs are a great way for you to show off your knowledge and establish yourself as an authority without having to vie for public attention. Introverts are naturally creative, so a blog might be right up your alley. Good Listening Skills Can Go a Long Way Introverts are not only known for being good listeners, but they also notice and remember small details better. This can go a long way in building and establishing better relationships. A college is a vibrant place where meeting new people often happens naturally and spontaneously. You are always surrounded by people. You are all here to acquire education that will jumpstart your career. If you want to bond with your roommate or colleague but don’t know how, a bit of online research can help you find common interests to can talk about. People like people that show interest in them and often return the favor in the same fashion. Even the most powerful and influential people are still people. They want to be seen and known as much for who they are as for what they can do. We will all do things more likely for those we somehow connect to than for complete strangers. You are most likely trying to create a connection because you want something. There is nothing wrong with that. The person you are trying to connect with wants something too. You may want a good job and they may want a good employee. You may want a mentor and they may want an eager mentee. Wrapping It Up There is nothing wrong with wanting things from the people we interact with. The point is to find the places where your needs and wants align. This is one of many ways in which an introverts listening skills can stand them in good stead. Remember to use your listening skills and keep attention to detail when connecting with people. This introverted skill doesnt mean that extroverts do not know how to establish a connection or are shallow. Introverts have a unique set of strengths they can use to achieve their career-focused goals, as extroverts can harness theirs. In networking, introverts dont have to be left out in the cold. In fact, introverts will often do far better by abandoning the traditional networking playbook and striking out on their own to apply their unique strengths to build a strong, powerful network of support. Author’s Bio: Lisa Michaels is a freelance writer, editor and a striving content marketing consultant from Portland. Being self-employed, she does her best to stay on top of the current trends in business and shares her knowledge. Connect with Lisa on Twitter @LisaBMichaels. Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer