What Being "Mean Girls’d" at a Networking Event Taught Me About Professional Confidence (LinkedIn Backlog | March 2025)

Networking can be tough sometimes, and I had a pretty interesting experience recently that reminded me of that.

I’ve always been someone who tends to shy away from attending events alone, but this time, I showed up solo, feeling confident after meeting someone at a previous event. I grabbed my usual club soda with lime and spotted a coworker in the corner, so I headed over for a quick chat. After a bit, I decided to step outside my comfort zone and introduced myself to two women who were chatting nearby.

We had the typical networking small talk—work, local connections, the usual. Then, one of the women suddenly leaned in, whispered to the other, and they both started giggling. After that, it was obvious I was no longer a part of the conversation. I’ll admit, it felt... not great, but instead of letting it throw me off completely, I took a deep breath, straightened up, and moved on to another group. This time, the conversation was much more welcoming.

Networking can definitely be challenging as a young professional, especially when you run into moments like this. But the key is to remember that not everyone will be open to meeting new people, and that’s okay! It’s all part of the process.

So, what should you do if you find yourself in an uncomfortable networking situation?

• Recognize that the other person could be feeling just as uncomfortable as you. Everyone is in the same boat, surrounded by strangers.

•Don’t overthink the situation. Other people’s opinions of you—especially those who don’t know you—don’t define you and aren’t any of your business.

• Remain professional, even if others aren’t. How you handle the situation speaks volumes about your character. You’re only in control of how you react, so make sure you’re presenting yourself the way you wish to.

The truth is, networking isn’t always a smooth ride, but by staying confident, positive, and professional, you’ll find the connections that matter. Keep showing up, keep introducing yourself, and keep growing your network.

Let’s yap in the comments! I want to hear your best networking tips!