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PaperclipPerfector  13d ago (text post)   3025 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for April 13, 2025

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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What is networking? People sometimes say they're going to some event to "network"? What does that mean?

Networking is building trust with others in a professional context so that they trust you'll help them and you trust they'll help you. I've only been able to network with former colleagues with whom ive worked closely. My CHA is not high enough to charm randos at events into doing things for me. Some people seem to be able to do it though. I envy them.

What is CHA?

Charisma

My CHA is not high enough to charm randos at events into doing things for me

I don't think this is necessarily the best way to perceive it. For me it's more like 'pick up enough random weak links into people doing stuff broadly related to your personal industry and in future you'll be able to refer 'oh I randomly ran into a guy who needs Niche A subniche C services and I remember running into another guy who provides those a few months ago I can interlink them' and have people do the same for you. Moreso than assuming direct control of random passerbys to directly build your career.

That makes more sense. I think my weakness is taking an interest in other people. People who are genuinely interested in hearing a stranger's story seem to network well. I've been working on this over the last few years (currently going through an interview process as a referral!) but I still have a long way to go. If I could do it again I would have learned this skill earlier in my career.

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