Networking Without the Awkwardness: It's Possible, I Swear!

The word “networking” often conjures images of stuffy rooms, forced smiles, and awkward exchanges of business cards that end up in the recycling bin. It feels transactional, uncomfortable, and vaguely… icky. But what if networking wasn’t about schmoozing, but about building genuine connections?

Forget the hard sell. Focus on curiosity and generosity. Instead of thinking “What can this person do for me?”, think “What can I learn from this person?” or “How can I potentially help them?” Approach conversations with genuine interest. Ask open-ended questions about their work, their challenges, their industry insights. Listen more than you talk.

Offer value first. Did someone mention struggling with a particular software? If you know a resource, share it. Did they post an interesting article on LinkedIn? Leave a thoughtful comment. Small gestures build rapport. Connect people you know who might benefit from meeting each other. Being a connector is a powerful form of networking.

And ditch the mass, generic LinkedIn connection requests! Personalize your invitation. Mention a shared connection, a post they wrote that resonated with you, or a specific reason you want to connect. Quality over quantity, always.

Networking doesn’t have to be awkward. Be curious, be helpful, be genuine, and focus on building relationships, not just collecting contacts. It’s a long game, not a sprint. The best connections often come from the most unexpected places—like that time I bonded with someone over our mutual dislike of pineapple on pizza at a tech meetup. Years later, we ended up collaborating on a project that changed my career trajectory.

So, next time you’re tempted to ghost a networking event or ignore a LinkedIn message, remember: real connections are built on authenticity, not awkwardness. Go forth and network like a human!