Networking for People Who Hate Networking, Second Edition: A Field Guide for Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected

I thought I was the only one who cringed at the idea of networking, even though I knew I had to as a self-employed professional. Devora Zack from the get-go affirms that I am not alone in fearing networking. But, with wit and style, she lays out how my introverted qualities can actually help me succeed in connecting with others. What a mind-blowing revelation! Seriously! I don't have to put on a show or be someone other than who I am to build new business and foster clients I already have. Zack holds my hand and leads the way with honesty and humor. I highly recommend this book for others who think they may be alone. You are not!

The book is for me. I am an introvert, so it's been helpful so far.

I cannot recommend this book enough. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert - you will come away with more understanding and sensitivity to interacting with and bringing out the best in others. The author's style is fun and easy to read - while making her points very clearly. I read the first edition a number of years ago - the insight it gave into myself as an introvert was literally life-changing. How I could see my tendencies as a positive rather than the often scoffed at negative in this extrovert loving society we live in - and work within my strengths. So glad the book has been updated! Get it - you'll be happy you did.

BEST networking guide ever! I am an insane introvert who doesn't leave the house, especially now with covid. Used the steps and tips this guidebook had and applied it to an online networking event recently (they exist!).The book came in great condition and super fast, had that new book smell! I even ended up making a few new friends in my field of work at this event and now its become a chain of support and mentorship. It all started with this book!

I stopped after finishing Chapter 2. It will take a lot for me to resume reading it. It's not an easy read, starting with the Prelude. There are paragraphs full of things I can only say "what??" to. Some statements seem out of place, out of context, or are just plain confusing. It would have a high Flesch-Kincaid score (= low ease of reading).Pg 13 "Assessments increase..." assessments of what?Pg 19 "...a point of connection" what? Why not just say '...something in common'Pg 20 "...holding up the wall" what?Pg 3 -"15% of gen pop is extroverted, 85% introverted" vs Pg 17 "...gen pop is split down the middle"...which one is it?This book needs a professional proofreader and many editors.I wanted to like it. I really did. I just don't know how much more effort I want to expend reading it and trying to understand it, and glossing over the many parts that make no sense.

This unique business book combines great strategies for networking along with a terrific sense of humor, making it a treat to read, and absorb. Who knew that there would be so much more to say 10 years after the original edition! Updated with changes in social media and networking, plus a chapter on job searching. Zack writes like no one else in the field!

After 40 minutes of this I couldn't take it anymore. The author had rambled on about how misjudged introverts were, and not started giving one single solitary hint about becoming more effective at networking. When I first took personality tests 15 years ago, I registered as strongly introverted. And given my definite overwhelmed-ness at the last 3 networking events I attended, and my total lack of effective connections for my new business venture, (and the fact the Levinson's "guerrilla networking" book wasn't available on audio from any store) I was hoping this book would serve me well. After my initial "get on with it" reaction at the 10 minute mark, and my "when the heck is she going to say anything useful?" at the 40 minute mark, I started skimming through the book, listening to a few sections for another hour up to the 3-hour mark. I did manage to catch 3 quick little hints which are oddly very similar to things my therapist taught me, like "set measurable goals" or "you don't have to talk about something if you don't want to", but the vast majority of the book is self-absorbed personal anecdotes and repetitious defenses of how misjudged introverts are, over and over and over again. Since those first personality tests of mine, I did a few years of therapy for other issues. A few years later another personality test at a new employer found me to be equally balanced between intro/extro, which the author calls "centrovert". I've suspected since then introversion is not a psychologically-healthy mindset, and what this author says basically confirms that supposition, despite her repeated protestations to the contrary. Based on the comments in this book, it seems introversion is narcissism aimed at dramatically over-valuing the meaningfulness of ones own thoughts, combined with a debilitating fear that other people won't find them so valuable. After my therapy experience reduced social anxiety and helped me deal with the narcissism, my introverted tendencies naturally faded. Maybe there are some useful nuggets buried deep in this book, but knowing how an hour and a half of it went, I don't think I could sit through the whole thing to dig them out. I have always wondered how militaries could use repetitious music as torture, and listening to this, I think I'm beginning to understand; I don't think I could "take" another hour of this without freaking out. But if you like the conceit of hearing your own thoughts over and over gain, and you'd like to hear someone else repeat themselves 5-7 times "protesting too much" for hours, while dangling a half dozen hints from Boundaries texts and shadow-work workshops, then sure, go ahead.

GREAT BOOK ALOT OF INFORMATION

The tips in the book are quite actionable, especially the parts about networking events. Highly recommended to people who may find networking emergy-depleting.