Looking for networking tips

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Last night, I went to a career networking event. It was centered around a debate, which was pretty good, but I didn't actually do any networking. This was because everything was too loud and I had trouble picking out any individual voices, as well as the fact that I have no idea how to enjoy myself in a party-like atmosphere.

I really don't like this career networking fad, and I hope to see it die out in my lifetime. Besides being inherently discriminatory towards introverted people, getting jobs by sucking up to potential employers feels like cheating. I'd rather potential employees be judged by the contents of the CVs, not the charisma of their personalities. (Although given my CV, the last option is not so bad.)

Rant aside, I'm probably going to have another go at career networking. My goal should be to get potential employers to remember my face, my name and the fact that I am simply fantastic. I'd also have to repress my sarcastic tendencies when certain snigger triggers like 'teamwork' or 'leadership' are mentioned.

Has anyone got tips or resources for career networking while autistic?

I hope the networking craze dies tonight

Smaller more topic focused events would be not as bad for autistics.

I hate to say it, but, try having a couple adult beverages first. Dulls my senses just enough to get through networking events.

I was just attending a conference with about 10,000 people and managed to get 2 or 3 fulltime job leads, plus a lead on 5 freelancing projects.

I remember the first time I heard the term “Networking”. It was over 30 years ago. I was an undergraduate in college seeking a MIS degree. At the time, I was totally confused, because I thought the professor was talking about computer networking.

As such, I don’t believe it’s a fad and I don’t believe it’s going away anytime soon.

For me, the key is to focus on positions where people don’t expect me to be good at networking (or have charisma or have "personality"). As an example, I work with software development teams. Mostly, I work with technical people (developers). It is generally accepted that people who work on software development teams are a bit “different” (oftentimes at least 1 standard deviation away from what is considered normal).

I am obviously 'different', as are those people with whom I network. So, I can get away with some awkwardness. BUT, 3/4 of jobs are filled through personal referrals*, so, you HAVE to get to know people, or your job prospects will be severely limited.

Every single place I've worked has been the result of someone I knew, fulltime jobs and freelancing gigs. So, if you can't get comfortable in this type of networking, try some smaller groups, through meetup.com or if your industry has local chapters of professional organizations might be an option.


(*based on a survey of my own industry, don't know what the stats are at large.)