Stand out in 15 Seconds at Networking Events
Even if you're an introvert
I’ve got a confession: I’m an introvert.
We hate small talks. Especially in groups with 4+ people.
The idea of standing in a circle, exchanging shallow pleasantries with strangers—ugh, it’s exhausting just thinking about it.
Unfortunately, we introverts still need jobs, promotions, and career opportunities.
And networking events and career fairs—the places introverts typically avoid—are some of the best ways to unlock those doors.
I used to dread going to networking events. Every time, I’d leave feeling pointless and drained.
“Why do people say networking is important? It’s just a bunch of surface-level chatter that leads nowhere. Networking events are BS!” I’d think, throwing my hands up in frustration.
That was me—until I cracked the code on standing out in the first 15 seconds. When you’re competing with hundreds of other conversations, you’ve got to make your intro pop.
Now? I leave networking events with high-intent DMs like this:
This is all to say: I’ve been there, and I’ve got your back.
In this article, I’m going to break down a quick, no-nonsense self-intro formula that’s helped me land interviews and referrals at networking events—all without getting trapped in endless small talk.
It lets you bypass fluff and get straight to the point.
And guess what? It’s not something I just made up. It’s inspired by Andrew LaCivita’s “How to Describe Yourself in One Sentence.”
The first thing people say at a networking event
Introducing themselves.
Most people will default to something like this:
“Hi, I’m Mandy Liu, a Masters student at NYU. I’m looking for a job in data science. In my free time, I love dancing and cooking.”
Snooze fest 😴…
Do that if you want to blend into the crowd.
Bring some spark if you want to stand out.
Imagine if you’re an HR at Google, trying to remember someone after chatting with dozens or even hundreds of wide-eyed new grads at a busy networking event.
You’ll forget a generic intro like this before you’ve even finished your coffee.
So, how do you leave an impression in 15 seconds?
You flip the focus from you to them—what’s in it for them (WIIFT).
Your intro needs to be a tiny pitch, showing how you can add value, solve a problem, or bring something unique to the table.