Networking-Phobic

[2021x]

Can anyone give me a new perspective on networking that can help me not dread it.. I am starting to look at putting a career plan in place but I am not someone who can sell anything, including myself, easily. I have done a lot of work on my self-confidence and esteem so I have a much thicker skin now, but I still struggle with this blindspot.

My problem is that it feels so under-handedly transactional. I know this is more about my judgement then what is going on but I can't break out of the mindset. This has really held me back, and I would like to get over it now.

Any tips would be helpful.

What type of job/industry are you aiming for? To reassure you, in my career, formal 'networking' of the kind I was (rather alarmingly) led to believe in my graduate training days would be a frequent occurrence has never really been a thing - I mean the having to 'work a room', give elevator pitches, formally make contacts and follow them up to sell myself or my product to them - in my corporate (public sector) all that has never been necessary, I can imagine in some roles like sales it's more important but I always assume those types of job are self-selecting, I'd never choose that for myself anyway.

Having a 'network', building good relationships (wider than my immediate team/boss), getting to be known as a generally helpful/knowledgeable person, making a bit of an effort without always seeing the immediate reward, all that has been helpful but has happened quite naturally and is proved in action rather than in words. I'm naturally very introverted and shy so if I can do it you can too. I did have to make a bit of an effort to get over myself a bit and be able to chit-chat with strangers which was a terrible fear of mine, but it's by no means a daily occurrence and once you get into the swing of it is much less awkward than you think. I certainly never used that elevator pitch my graduate supervisor made me write and good riddance to it!

Tough one, im dreadful at networking in its most blatant form, it makes me cringe and I’m not myselfs biggest promoter.
however networking is useful, I observe people at work frequently and often impressed by the results. Sadly people can progress very well with very little talent via networking, so it’s worth trying to gain the skill! Generally the best networkers seem unashamedly confident so just put yourself out there, propose coffees, ask for 15 mins or people’s time and flatter them with asking for mentoring, guidance, advice.
are their industry events you can start attending? Just putting yourself out there is a first step.
Alternatively my Networking is very low level, but based on friendship and trust. I may not be dazzling the management with my big ambition and ideas, but I do have secure backing of my colleagues and built up relationships which allow me to influence and change management decisions without putting myself right in the spotlight