TALK TO ME IF YOU’RE AN INTROVERT Deborah M. Thompson, Ph.D.

NCBiotech Jobs Network

January 27, 2014

NETWORK TO YOUR NEXT JOB

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NETWORKING DOESN’T COME NATURALLY

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SCIENCE ATTRACTS INTROVERTS

Less extroverted

Less assertive

Less optimistic

More tough minded

than non-scientists.

Scientists are:

Lounsbury et al. (2012) R & D Management

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You know the old joke; an extroverted

scientist is one who looks at YOUR shoes

when he’s speaking, not his own.

INTROVERT OR SHY? BOTH? NEITHER?

I’m a little worn out,

I’m going to read a

while.

I’m a little worn out,

let’s have a party.

Introversion is a

preference for

environments that are

not overstimulating.

Shyness is a fear of

social disapproval or

humiliation.

Introvert vs. Extrovert Shy ≠ Introvert

OR DATA-ORIENTED, DETAIL-ORIENTED?

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Let go of the negative emotion associated with labels like “shy” and “introvert.”

SO WHAT?

We can be mistaken for aloof

We have a tendency to give too much information

Dissertation

Latest experiment

Current project

LEAFS

Opening Lines

Elevator pitch

At the event

Follow up

Social media

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OPENING LINES

What are you working on? (Heather Hollick)

Hi, I’ve never been to this event before. You look like a regular—any tips you could give me on what to expect? (Jessica Taylor)

Are there any other attendees who you think would be valuable to meet? (Lauren Celano)

Have you tried the food yet? Those egg rolls look pretty fantastic. I'm trying to figure out if I should try one or not. (Mandy Stadtmiller)

I'm trying to make myself meet new people here instead of just talking to the usual suspects. Do you mind me saying hello and introducing myself? (Mandy Stadtmiller)

Hello, I'm John McMillan. (John McMillan)

PREPARE YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH

An elevator pitch is a 30

second description of your

self, what you do and what

you want to communicate.

Go short on scientific

details.

Help me help you: name 3

target companies.

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DON'T BE IN A HURRY TO GIVE YOUR PITCH

Let the other person talk

first. Listen to him/her.

Adapt your pitch if there

are "common areas" that

you want to exploit.

Listening builds good

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TREAT ALL NETWORKING AS IF IT WAS SPEED

NETWORKING

Networking events are an opportunity to make

an initial connection. They are not an

opportunity for a long conversation!

Practice at events that are NOT in your sector.

AT THE EVENT

Wear bright colors. This is not the time to blend in.

Communicate more like a consultant or solution-

finder than a job seeker.

Get a wing man.

Pick off the other introverts. Sometimes it’s easier

to start a conversation with someone who is alone

than to cut into a conversation that’s already

going.

CELEBRATE SMALL SUCCESSES

(AKA MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS)

Get two “actionable”

business cards.

Make a date to meet

one person for coffee.

Make one introduction.

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THIS IS NOT THE GOAL!

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FOLLOW UP WITHIN THREE DAYS

Follow up with the

contacts you made.

If you feel you have

something more to say to

someone and that there

could be a synergy - make

it clear!

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DO INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS

You’re not asking for a job,

you’re trying to learn more

about the

company/person/sector.

Never leave an informational

interview without the names of

two more people the person

recommends you meet.

USE SOCIAL MEDIA-DON’T HIDE BEHIND IT

Use LinkedIn to follow up.

Blog. Tweet. Post LinkedIn updates.

Join the NCBiotech Jobs Network group.

Connect with Jobs Network Coordinator.

Follow @biotechnetwork.

Share your successes with us!

JOB SEEKER RESOURCES AT NCBIOTECH

Jobs Board

Library

Company Directory

Calendar

Exchange Groups

Beaker.com

1. Be brief!

2. Listen!

3. Follow up!

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MAKE THIS THE YEAR OF THE INTRODUCTION

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Your best

networking

connection might

come from

another job

seeker.