How Introverts Can Master Networking

How Introverts Can Master NetworkingNetworking can be daunting enough, without having to battle your own nature as an introvert as you navigate the tricky waters of small talk and collecting connections. Do you find yourself avoidingnetworking events because you simply dread joining, initiating, or otherwise making conversations when you could be home on your couch with your dog and take-out and some nice, un-intimidating television? googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) If youre the type to skulk around a networking event using every trick in the book to avoid having to talk to anyone, then slinking home feeling sorry for yourself and like you wasted a perfectly good evening in, then you probably need a little boost. Believe it or notlage, there are other ways to manage networking events that dont involve you constantly lapping from snack table to bar table to bathroom, looking at your phone for dear life as though the most important email of your career just came in, or staring off into the middle distance to avoid making eye contact with anyone by accident. These tricks are usefuland are probably your standard coping mechanism. But you dont have to hide behind them all the time.Use your powers for good.Now might be the moment for you to realize that introverts are actually secret heroes when it comes to networking. Youre even at an advantage in certain situations. How could that be possible, you ask? When all around you, extroverts are landing business cards and launching into elevator pitches between sips of vodka tonic, and youre still standing in the corner by the ficus plant?Turns out, people arent all that into being sold. Dont forget that networking events are dominated by a room full of people trying to sell themselves. The confident ones look like theyre running the show, but its not so simple Theyre also the most aggressive, the most likely to steamroll into a conversation, rattle off their pitch, and move on like a mercenary to the next clump of possible connections. Meanwhile, theres a whole world of shadow networking taking placethe kind that doesnt even look like networkingand that is simple conversation. Real human connection.Thats where introverts come in. Introverts are great at listening when others blather on. Theyre usually interested in other people, and relieved not to have to be doing all the talking. You can use your introvert status to be the favorite conversation partner of everybodys night, simply by letting them talk, and making a few intelligent comments now and then to show that youre really listening. Who knows You might even come to find you get so absorbed in the conversation that you forget to be nervous and intimidated.Be yourselfdont fight it.The major take away is this if youre an introvert and afraid of networking, stop trying to force yourself into the extrovert mold. There are ways to accomplish what extroverts accomplish, all while remaining true to your i ntroverted, crowd-averse self. The first step might be to really know and honor your limits. Are you just a shell of a person after 9 p.m.? Dont agree to any meetings or functions in the later evening. Are you pretty good at sussing out which events will actually be fruitful or productive for you? Avoid the ones that arent. (Just make sure to attend the ones that arereligiously.)Its not just that youre shy. Its that youre thrown off by environments that are noisy and overwhelmingthat doesnt make you any less of an asset or a good connection. That just means you have to find introverted ways to get through an event that you would otherwise find quite challenging. The best strategy there is to be as prepared as possible. Do your homework. Is there anyone at the event youd particularly like to meet? What are your goals for the evening? What sort of advice or information are you looking to acquire? Bone up on the people or companies youre trying to sidle up to. Come up with a handful of questions to have at the ready. Write them down and rehearse them ahead of time until they feel natural enough coming out of your mouth. Dont worry about being clever or hilarious. Keep it simple, be yourself, be preparedand youll never put your foot in your mouth trying to do verbal backflips to impress someone.Show up early.If youre one of the first people there, you can take advantage of the fact that most early birds feel awkward enough hovering by the canaps before the crowd gets going. Take advantage of this leveling of the nervousness playing field by offering up conversational life rafts to your fellow early birds. Groups wont have formed yet that youd have to wiggle your way into. You might even find a buddy you can network with all night. Or you can get most of what you came for before the room is totally full and sounds of people chatting and glasses tinkling are bouncing off the walls and making you super anxious.Set a goal of meeting a handful of people. Getting a few answers, business cards, etc. Once you hit your quota, unless theres some big-ticket person there youre dying to get in front of, you can give yourself permission to sneak out having succeeded for the night.Relax and try to keep it light.Desperation doesnt look very good on anyone. Be yourself. Use your quiet calm as an assetyoull look far mora confident than you feel and you might even appear to have a certain degree of gravitas or other kinds of commanding presence. Listen, listen, listen. And remember to take a bit of time for yourself. Head out to the lobby and sit down for a moment with your phone. Go to the loo and splash some water on your face. Take deep breaths. It will all be over soon.Be compassionate for your fellow introverts.They are out there. And keep in mind that even extroverts get scared of networking events. If you think everyone else in the room is just as insecure or uncomfortable with the process as you are, youre probably right. And even if you arent, it will help you to approach people like humans, not just as contacts or connections for your LinkedIn empire.Reward yourself for doing something challenging.Keep your eye on the prize, whatever youve decided that should bea massage? a pedicure? a new golf club? an order of take-out french fries or a milkshake on your way home? Treat yourself to something, however small, when you get through a networking event. The promise of that treat, even if its just a hot bath when you get home, can be a powerful motivator for you to get in, get out, and still get things done.Go your own way.And if youre still just flummoxed by the big conference pension ballroom mingle, or the meet-n-greet harbor booze cruise, try making yup your own networking strategy. Start an interest group of friends and colleagues and friends-of-colleagues and colleagues-of-colleagues that are all united under a common interest. Make your networking events stand singular and apart as intimate, smaller gatherings. Set new trends . Host dinner parties. Or get invited to themrather than the big corporate name tag mixers. Its totally possible for you to make your own networking environment. You might even be way ahead of the game.Dont worry so much.Above all, remember to use your intuition. You know yourself best. And you probably are better at reading a crowd than you think you areand better than the bull-headed extroverts running around pimping themselves out. Think before speaking. Observe before you offer. Ask questions and let others talk about themselves as you get comfortable in the conversationthey will love you for it One of your best secret weapons is your reserve. Youll never be suspected of false enthusiasm or over eagerness if you simply stay true to your own introversion and study the social cues of people in your conversation before making any contributions. You may even be projecting a sort of social poise you never knew you hadsimply by not trying too hard to be an extrovert when you just aren tWhat you shouldnt do is cower in the corneror only spend time talking to the three people in the room you already know. If you find yourself in this position, dont panic. Just try a new maneuver. Ask your pals for help. Is there someone there they know that they could introduce you to, perhaps? Or help you make an introduction? Or simply come with you to the bar so you can join another conversation with a buddy by your side?There are a ton of useful tools out there for you, as an introvert, to wield. Including some secret weapons you didnt even realize you had. When you start thinking of your nature as an introvert as something that could help you, rather than hinder you professionally, you can start to cultivate a system that works for you.

Severance Pay

Severance Pay What Is a Severance Pay?Severance pay is payment granted to an employee at the termination of employment in association with a severance agreement.Often severance payment or a severance package is offered when an employer initiates the staffelung such as in a layoff or other types of involuntary terminations as unemployment compensation or in exchange for an agreement elend to litigate, or as part of the buyout of some employment contract terms. Employers are not required by the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to offer severance pay. On a case-by-case basis, other agreements, contracts, policies or company precedent may trigger an obligation to pay severance.There are several potential reasons why employees may be offered severance pay. The altruistic reasons are to help you bridge the financial gap until you find a new job. Other goodwill reasons include helping you prepare for your pending job search or to increase your skills by paying for outplacement or training services.Know that severance practices vary company by company. Payment amounts will also vary and are often tied to the length of service and position level.Severance Is Often Contingent on Signing a gestaffelte anordnung AgreementBe aware that with a severance package offer, you will usually be given a Separation Agreement as well. Paying out your severance will be contingent on signing the staffelung agreement. You will be given a specific amount of time to review and then sign the separation agreement before the offer of severance payment is paid out or withdrawn.If you sign the separation agreement, you will release your employer from future potential legal claims or disputes as described in the agreement. The agreement may also contain confidentiality,non-competeand non-disclosure clauses.This is a common corporate practice so do not be alarmed if you are given separation agreement. Since employment laws differ across various states and localities, companies will usually have an employment attorney draft and update their separation agreements based on your states and federal employment laws.It is important that you timely and thoroughly read the severance agreement. You also have the right to have an attorney review it. You do not have to have an attorney review, but depending on your personal situation or the background behind your separation, you should carefully consider this option before you sign.Is My Severance Package Negotiable?Maybe, maybe not. Some companies will be steadfast in their offer, but others will be more willing to negotiate, just as some employers were more willing to negotiate your wages in the first place. Just like an offer of employment, a separation package can be up for negotiation. You should explore this option to binnensee if you can negotiate components of the separation agreement. Based on your personal situation, some items in the package you may want to consider to either add or negotiate are1. Money (severance amount / monetary payout)2. Payment terms - (lump sum or over time)3. Payment of continued health benefits - (COBRA)4. Retaining company equipment such as phone, computer5. Not contestingunemployment benefits(more important if you are released for performance or misconduct)6. Outplacement services7. Resume and social media services8. Letters of reference9. Previously-agreed upon benefits (such as tuition reimbursement, training)10. Loan repayment terms if applicable11. Commission, bonuses and deferred compensation payouts due12. Rights under pension, profit sharing and 401(k) plans13. Stock, equity, options and exercise schedule14. Employee length of serviceEven if you are leaving by your own choice by accepting an employee buyout plan, for example, you will have mixed emotions about leaving behind your job and going to someplace new. If its not your choice, your emotional state and anxiety level will be even higher.This is the time to think about your finances and budget, as well as kee p a level head and search out knowledgeable and supportive advice. Your goal should be to work with your ex-employer to agree on a fair and (as generous as possible) severance package that will help you until you land your next job.Unemployment Benefits and SeveranceDepending on your state unemployment rules, often times you cannot both collect severance pay and unemployment insurance benefits at the same time. Even if your severance payment occurred in one lump sum, this may push out the effective date at which you can collect unemployment insurance. For example, if you were paid the equivalent of three months of wages in a lump-sum payment under your severance plan, your unemployment benefit may be reduced by three months and may not begin to be paid out until after three months after the date of your lump sum payment.Disclaimer The material contained in this article was written for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain adv ice with respect to your particular situation, issue or problem. Unemployment compensation benefit law and unemployment insurance terms vary widely and are governed by your state and local laws.--Connie Wedel is a global citizen and HR executive who has worked with incredible employees, teams and leaders across 6 continents. Connie is a leadership and career coach, equal rights and diversity advocate, writer, speaker and mom.