Networking — it is a common topic of conversation online at AnnArbor.com and with job hunters. However, if you are shy or an introvert… how do you network? Read on for a few suggestions.

"The Conversation" Image: Cliff1066 - Flckr

• Recognize not everyone is a networker. I have a very gregarious personality. One of my friends said, “You have no problem talking to complete strangers — I could never do that." For her, the mere thought of this was painful — I could see it in her eyes. Recognize when you are networking that it isn’t easy for everyone to do this. Actually seek a non-networker out at event and start a simple conversation to help them ease into the event.

• Invite non-networkers to an event — a simple event, not an all-day kind of thing. Introduce them to a few people and stay near them. You are their first event safety net. They are skating on thin ice usually, and their enjoyment factors may be small. You are the first key to helping them become networking stars.
  

For the Non-Networking Types:

Get a profile on LinkedIn.

This is the largest business social network. It's often the first online site a potential employer looks at before calling you.

Make sure you have a picture, your jobs section is filled in and that you have at least 20 or more connections to start.

Get some business cards made.

• Keep it simple with your name and areas of interest, like marketing, project management, information technology, C++, java developer, etc. Make me remember you after an event.
  
• Include your email address, phone number and your LinkedIn profile address and website, if you have one.

Create a simple elevator speech to start the conversation.