An INTROVERT's guide to networking & presenting work!

To have a successful design career, at some point you're going to have to take part in some networking, and also present your work (whether that's just to your small team or perhaps in front of the whole company at a meeting, or even on stage at a conference!). These are my best tips for embracing your introversion and playing to your strengths during these activities that don't feel like they were designed for us to thrive in.

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Hello there! I'm Charli and I'm a web and graphic designer from New Zealand currently living in London and posting design videos every Saturday about tools, projects, and concepts and vlogs every Tuesday about my life as a designer. Please subscribe and say hi in the comments so we can be friends :)

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[LeannePerry]

I needed to hear this! Having graduated and landed myself a big role in the digital marketing field, I've had to deal with the uncomofrtable territory or presenting, networking and public speaking. I'm an introvert and have social anxiety, so it's really difficult for me to do these things without feeling like I have to put on a different character. This video actually made a lot more sense.

[lextaylor]

You had me at introvert and I had to subscribe! I have been a freelance web desinger for 4 years and I have been battling my social anxiety that I have since my teenage years. Thank you so much for sharing!

[andru]

I'm an introvert too, and people are always surprised because I'm very outgoing and talkative when I meet people, but gosh it's taxing! If I'm going to be around people I really have to think about when/where I'm going to get the down time to recover. I usually get INFJ and ISFJ on the personality tests.

[ShiroiWoolf]

INFJ here as well! Your videos has really helped and motivated me to do things I would normally find very difficult as an introvert. I'm currently a regular speaker at my company and I have also applied to speak at some conferences and that would have been not possible if it was not for your inspiring videos!

[adameberly]

Thank you for this video. Being an introvert in a UX designer roll is a struggle because the success in this role is about team dynamics, presentations, selling your designs amongst many groups and many other roles that are better suited for an extrovert. That being said people say that they are amazed how I can talk to anyone, anywhere about anything but at the end of the day or night I am completely taxed/gassed whatever and need much alone time (never thought about it as recharging-you are correct). A lot of the time I do feel fake but you made me realize I'm not fake but consciously deciding where and when to expend this energy (again you make sense here). Thank you.

[jackshimosa]

You have just made me feel "normal" with this. Keep doing what you are doing. Thank you!

[liamsolley]

Hello! ENFP here! Finding out you are an INFJ totally makes sense to me since you're approach to design is sorta different to mine (in a good way) and I always get something interesting and useful out of your videos. Thank you for sharing your unique perspective!

[manuMedi]

The test said that I'm an Adventurer (ISFP-T), I'm really introvert and have social anxiety, I actually was hesitating about writing this comment, I don't usually comment on videos, but I think this was a great video so I have to do it and especially for the advice at the end. Thank you. Keep the great work. Greetings from Peru.

[hermanomark]

I took this test before I was an INFJ, now I took it again INFJ again lol. I must really be an introvert but I feel like as I'm growing older I can handle social situations much better, I actually crave it sometimes. And I can handle rejection easily. I just don't stress myself to the things I have no control. I'm much happier than before.

[intuitivelyeating]

I'm actually an extrovert, but I'm also very shy so people often think I'm introverted. It's really hard needing to make friends and be around groups of people to get energized, but also being scared of doing this. Even though people energize me, anxiety around meeting new people is exhausting so I often get drained by networking events anyway - this advice was very helpful!

[danielbeeler]

Thanks for the very INFJ video! male INFJ here. It is definitely worth understanding your personality type as it helps understanding who you are and “why” we do the things we introverts do. It’s helped me a lot understand how to navigate the loud extrovert world out there. I subscribed a few months back, funny learning you are also INFJ. Definitely a rare personality type, even more so for males.

[almasanchez]

Thank you so much for sharing these tips!! Love the last tip to embrace your personality <3 I never would have thought about it that way, but that's a great way to look at it

[GoonerBuller]

Definitely agree with your stance on this. I hate the misconception that being an introvert means you CAN'T talk to people. It just means that you may not favour mass interactions with lots of people but it doesn't make you incapable of doing so . Love the gym analogy too!

[oumaimasbooks]

I did the personality test and it's the most accurate tests I've done so far. Especially when it said "Architects(INTJ -T) prefer more “lone wolf” positions as mechanical or software engineers " and I'm studying to become a software engineer

[sagessedantan]

I'm an INFJ too! The best way I found to describe how it feels is this: I'm an outgoing introvert.
Thanks for the video, I really enjoy your content!

[nicoleallais]

I’m an INFJ too! I’m SO happy you posted this(:

[ShaneMcKnight]

My wife and I are INFJ’s too. I embrace it proudly, even though it can be a challenge sometimes.

[uxfondue]

INFJ-T here...turbulent(!) I think it is because I am moving from one design career to another - I'm not as confident as I'd like to be yet. Glad to know you're an INFJ - thanks for all you do!

[georgelamb]

Just discovered your channel and this really speaks to me, so thank you :)

[sandychiustudio]

Thanks Charli for making this video. Introvert rocks! I am INFP 🥰