Network Like You, Not Like Them: Finding Your Connection Style That Actually Works
This is your The Woman's Career Podcast: Create a podcast episode outline about networking effectively, including tips for introverts and extroverts. podcast.
Welcome back to The Woman’s Career Podcast. I’m glad you’re here, because today we’re diving straight into something that can quietly transform your career: networking effectively, whether you’re an introvert, an extrovert, or somewhere in between.
Let’s start by reframing networking. This is not about working a room like a politician at a fundraiser. Networking is simply building relationships that are based on curiosity, generosity, and follow-through. Career strategist Liz Ngonzi often says that the most powerful networks are built on service, not self-promotion. So your goal is not “collect business cards,” it’s “connect with people I genuinely respect and support.”
When you think about your next year, imagine three circles of connection. First, your inner circle: people who already know your work, like a former manager at Deloitte, a colleague from Google, or a mentor from your local women-in-tech meetup in Austin. Second, your growth circle: people one or two steps ahead of you, maybe a director you follow on LinkedIn or a founder you admire from listening to Her Leading Story with host Julie Artis. Third, your exploration circle: people in roles or industries you’re curious about, like a product manager at Spotify or a data scientist at a health startup in Nairobi. A good episode outline for yourself is to keep moving between these circles: nurture, grow, explore.
If you’re an introvert, your power is depth. You don’t need to dominate the room at a conference in New York. You need a plan for a few strong conversations. Before an event, research the speaker list and attendees on LinkedIn. Choose two people you’d love to meet, and craft one or two thoughtful questions. Something like, “I saw your article on the Harvard Business Review site about remote leadership. What shifted for you when you started managing hybrid teams?” Give yourself permission to leave after three meaningful interactions. You succeeded, even if you were the first one out the door.
Online, introverts often shine. Platforms like Lunchclub, LinkedIn, and community spaces such as Elpha or Women in Product let you network on your own terms. Send short, specific messages: “Hi Angela, I loved your Storytelling in the Workplace conversation on the Career EQ Podcast. I’m a mid-level marketer in Chicago exploring a move into brand strategy. Would you be open to a 20-minute coffee chat about how you made that shift?” Specific, respectful, and easy to say yes to.
If you’re an extrovert, your power is energy. You can light up a room at a startup mixer in San Francisco or a women’s leadership summit in London. But your growth edge is focus. Instead of talking to everyone, choose a theme for each event. Maybe today you’re seeking one potential mentor and one peer in your industry. Ask questions that invite stories, not just job titles. According to the Career Contessa podcast, a strong career story has a beginning, middle, and “what’s next.” Help people tell you that story by asking, “What are you excited to build this year?” or “What surprised you most in your role at Microsoft?” Then listen more than you speak, and take notes afterward so you can follow up with something personal, not generic.
Regardless of your style, follow-up is where networking becomes a real career engine. Within 24 to 48 hours, send a short message: “Thank you for sharing how you navigated your transition from teacher to UX designer at IBM. I especially appreciated your point about treating informational interviews like user research.” Two weeks later, circle back with value: a podcast episode from Stories by Career Sistas that relates to their challenge, or an article from InHerSight on salary negotiation for women in tech. This is how you shift from “someone I met once” to “someone I trust.”
As you think about your own networking outline, picture a simple arc for every interaction: a warm opening, a thoughtful question, a moment of shared insight, and a clear next step. Maybe that next step is connecting on LinkedIn, scheduling a 20-minute Zoom, or introducing them to another woman who could help. Over time, those small arcs become the story of your career: a woman who builds a powerful, generous network and brings other women with her.
Thank you for tuning in to The Woman’s Career Podcast. If this episode on networking effectively was helpful, share it with a woman you want to see win, and make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
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