Networking for Corporate Girlies with Anxiety.

I recently came across a Reddit thread that reminded me of myself a few years ago.

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Maybe you find yourself here too.

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A Modern-Day Career Woman. Wanting to build your brand and expand your network while at the same time feeling a bit queasy at this cold, corporate jargon and expectations.

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Here’s my response. I would love to hear yours.

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Dear corporate girlie with anxiety,

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I’m never sure if it helps when someone says “girl same,” but

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Girl, same.

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I remember my first month fresh out of university and working at a tech corporate, everyone was talking about “networking” and not the routers and switches kind. Although both were confusing to me at the time.

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Meeting people simply for the sake of meeting them because they’re ‘important’ and to “grow my network” has never felt right to me.

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My first big networking event was a few weeks into my first job. An evening of networking would have been a good start, but instead, it was a multi-day networking event. Eish.

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Meeting new people is not what makes me naturally nervous, but meeting people simply for the sake of meeting them because they’re ‘important’ and to “grow my network” has never felt right to me.

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I suspect it’s also why so many people shy away from networking and networking events. It can feel forced, and conversations can feel stilted if you don’t have anything in common. I find the same when engaging in posts online. When I am interested in what someone is sharing, it’s easy for me to comment and participate. If you’re struggling to find something to say, it could be because you don’t really connect to what someone is sharing.

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Although there is great merit to networking online, and many people do this almost exclusively, the biggest benefit for me has been to build both in-person and online. In-person allows you the opportunity to get a feel for someone. Online personas can be very different!

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There are a few ways to reframe networking that make it less daunting:

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1. The beauty of building your network is that it’s YOURS. You create and curate it.
2. Replace the word ‘network’ with ‘community’.
3. Your vibe attracts your tribe. Don’t shrink or shape-shift to fit in with the crowd. Show up as you; your people will show up.
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The beauty of this is that you get to decide how you build your community and who is in it. Throw out that faded, stanky “networking” playbook and do it your way. Don’t have conversations with people you’re not interested in talking to. Focus on building genuine relationships with people who share your passions and values.

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You got it, girl.

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