80+ Networking Questions for Building Connections at Networking Events
Networking is a key way to becoming a well-connected professional, building rapport with others, and establishing yourself in the professional world. Attending a networking event provides numerous professional development opportunities and helps you make meaningful connections. Networking involves refined social and interpersonal skills combined with strong industry knowledge and a desire to learn. Therefore, asking the right people the right questions can allow you to easily build rapport with others, making the most out of networking events. We’re going to go through all the types of networking questions, ways to naturally integrate them into the conversation, and how you can tailor networking questions based on the event.
Remember, networking is a skill that needs to be built, and so is crafting and asking insightful networking questions to others. There are many types of questions to ask when networking, and these can help guide you toward your typical next career move. In this article, we’ve gathered a list of 80+ sample networking questions you can ask!
Table of Contents
- Networking Icebreaker Questions
- Professional Background Networking Questions
- Industry and Trend-Focused Questions for Networking
- Relationship Building Networking Questions
- Career Growth Networking Questions
- Company Culture Networking Questions
- Entrepreneurship and Startup Networking Questions
- Professional Associations Networking Questions
- Conclusion
Networking Icebreaker Questions
As a networking event is designed for the purpose of getting to know new people, knowing how to naturally invite people to converse with you is essential. Icebreaker questions can prevent any awkwardness and allow people to ease into conversation with you. These icebreakers create talking points and make it easier to initiate conversations. Icebreakers are basic networking conversations where you can introduce yourself and get to know others easily, leaving a lasting impression. Any question that needs a brief yet personal answer is a good icebreaker question for networking, for instance:
- Hi, how are you? My name is …, what is your name?
- Are you local to this city?
- How did you find out about this event?
- What are you working on at the moment?
- What are some of your professional goals for this year?
- What hobbies do you have outside of your career?
- Where did you go to university/college?
- Do you come to networking events often?
- Why do you like coming to networking events?
- Are you a member of [Society/Club/Company] hosting the event
💡Pro tips: Make sure you read the other person’s body language and try to match their pace of conversation. Some people could be a little bit shy, so start off with some easy questions. Look for common interests to help break the ice and make the conversation flow more naturally.
Professional Background Networking Questions
After you break the ice with some basic networking questions, you can then move on to questions about each other’s professional journey. These can be asked with both new connections, as well as any well-known people who are attending the networking event. The purpose of asking questions about someone’s professional background is to see if you can gain insight, inspiration, or advice from each other. You might inquire about their primary job responsibilities to understand their role better. Additionally, sharing own experiences can create a more meaningful connection. Networking questions about someone's professional background include queries about their career questions and the crucial role they play in their current position.
- What company do you work for?
- What is your current role or position?
- What led you to that role - is that what you expected to be doing in your career?
- What skills are essential for someone in that position?
- Do you have any advice for someone who wants to go into a similar role?
- What professional goals do you have?
- If you weren’t doing that role, would you be doing something similar?
- Do you think your skills are transferable?
- What other industries could you work in with your qualifications?
- How long have you been in that position/company, did you work your way up from a junior role?
💡Pro tips: When asking someone about their professional background, try to ask networking questions that tell the story of their career transitions and career choices. Inquire about their education, experiences, and how they came into their current role. Relate to them on a personal level by sharing similar experiences or interests, but make sure not to ask too many personal questions to avoid coming across as invasive.
Industry and Trend-Focused Questions for Networking
If you want to gain advice and valuable information about a particular industry, networking events are a great opportunity to ask questions and discuss this. This is especially the case if the event is hosted by a company or industry organization; you will likely receive clear answers to your questions. You can ask questions about current industry trends or the industry landscape as a whole. Networking with industry professionals provides insights that are often invaluable. Examples of industry-based networking questions include:
- What skills should someone focus on developing for success in this industry?
- How do technological advances such as AI affect this industry?
- What is the best resource someone should use for career guidance in this industry?
- What has changed the most in this industry since you started?
- Where is the best place to upskill in this field?
- Do you think this industry is growing or predicted to grow?
- What are the challenges the industry is currently facing?
- How do you stay up to date with industry news?
- What education is essential for this industry?
- Who are the industry leaders, and why do you think they are leading?
💡Pro tips: Stay up-to-date with industry trends and news for your sector, so you have some examples to add in when using these questions. Additionally, read up on any speaker, company, or organization attending or hosting the networking event, and see if you can tailor your questions to them. This preparation will give you a deeper understanding of the event and help you make more meaningful connections.
Relationship Building Networking Questions
People come to networking events to make new connections, but building rapport will allow you to develop meaningful connections. By strengthening your relationship with others, you can establish yourself in these communities and become a familiar face at networking events. Networking is ultimately about quality over quantity – as your lasting professional relationships will assist you in your professional development the most. Focus on creating long-term relationships that provide mutual value. To effectively build business relationships, consider asking relationship-building questions such as:
- What is one thing you would like to improve on in your career?
- What gives you fulfillment outside of work?
- What advice do you give to someone just starting in your role?
- Who do you look up to, either professionally or in your personal life? Why?
- What are your priorities in your career?
- What motivates you?
- Do you think your job suits your personality type?
- What skills do you want to develop and why?
- Do you work mostly in teams or alone? Do you like it that way?
- What do you wish people would compliment you on or recognize about you more?
💡Pro tips: To avoid a networking conversation feeling like an interview, try not to continuously ask networking questions without any elaboration. Instead, aim to make the interaction more natural and engaging. If you want someone to share more about their answer, you can invite them to do so by saying something like, "That's really interesting, can you tell me more?". This approach fosters a more genuine connection and enhances your professional networking experience.
Career Growth Networking Questions
If you are attending networking events with the purpose of gaining valuable advice about your career or industry, preparing tailored questions will help you a lot. Note down exactly what you want to know from others in your industry and integrate it into some basic personal and professional growth questions, for instance:
- What hard and soft skills are essential for this industry?
- How long did it take you to achieve your level of seniority?
- What skills or experience are appreciated the most in this role/company/industry?
- How often should someone be upskilling in this role?
- What are some transferable skills recruiters in this industry are looking for?
- Which professional associations should I join?
- Are internships or graduate programs a common entry point for this industry?
- What professional development do you do?
- What are the biggest challenges faced by someone in this industry?
- What is your most valuable skill?
💡Pro tips: Engage in active listening by asking further questions for clarification. This ensures you fully understand the conversation and can respond appropriately. To have a positive impact, make sure you have a method for taking notes in case you need to jot something down. This shows attentiveness and helps you remember important details.
📚Further reading: Why Networking Helps You Land a Job: 6 Easy Ways for College Students
Company Culture Networking Questions
If you come across someone who is working in a company you are also interested in, use this opportunity to get an interesting insight into the company's culture. Building strong business relationships through these conversations can provide valuable information. These interactions can also help expand your professional network. Company culture networking questions can be about anything from the office space, working hours, benefits, and overall satisfaction of working at a particular company. Additionally, learning about the company's culture can offer guidance on your potential career path and help you make informed decisions. For instance:
- How is the work-life balance in your role?
- Do you have any remote or hybrid arrangements?
- How is the team dynamic and structure?
- Does the company ever hold any team-building events?
- What is your favorite part about working for this company?
- Does your company assist you in upskilling?
- What perks does your company offer?
- Do you often work alone or in a team?
- Do you like your office space?
- Is your company hiring currently?
- Would you leave your current job for the same role with a slightly higher salary?
💡Pro tips: Although it is something everyone is curious about, do not ask someone about their salary directly. This will likely make them uncomfortable and leave a bad impression as well. Instead, consider other questions to ask that can provide insight into their job satisfaction and career growth. For instance, you could inquire about their favorite aspects of their role or how they have advanced in their career.
Entrepreneurship and Startup Networking Questions
If you are an entrepreneur, startup employee, or just interested in them, networking events are a great way to meet other like-minded people. Networking events can allow you to gain insight into entrepreneurship, as well as an opportunity to offer your experience and skills. Additionally, these events are excellent for identifying potential collaborators and discussing future collaborations. Some networking questions you can ask at startup or entrepreneurial events are:
- What inspired you to start your company?
- Can you introduce your product or service?
- Why did you choose a startup or entrepreneurial role?
- What is your company’s strategy for growth?
- What makes your company defensible?
- What were your previous jobs before you became an entrepreneur?
- What does a typical day look like for you?
- What advice do you have for someone looking to work in a startup?
- Do you use any skills from your previous jobs in your current role?
- Who inspires you the most?
Professional Associations Networking Questions
If you are thinking about becoming a member of an industry or professional association, networking with others is a great way to learn more about what associations you should consider joining. Events hosted by the organization or association are also a great opportunity to learn more about the reasons why someone would join. Questions to ask when networking about professional associations include:
- Why should someone in this industry join a professional association?
- What are the major organizations or associations in this industry?
- Do you feel like the information and events hosted by professional associations are useful?
- Is there a way to keep in contact with other association members?
- Aside from networking events, what does this association offer?
- Is there an industry-specific job board for members of this association?
- Is there often a company sponsor or guest speaker at association events?
- How often does this association host events?
- Are there any social events held by this association?
- What have you gained from joining a professional association?
💡Pro tips: Try to read up on the association, its sponsors, and membership fees ahead of time, so you can ask even more specific questions about what the association offers. Additionally, prepare for the networking session by researching potential contacts and the benefits of membership.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tailoring your networking questions to suit the person or event will allow you to productively network. Asking follow-up questions, doing your research, and allowing for conversation will help you establish relationships with others easily. Networking is about building relationships and asking appropriate questions that will provide you with unique insight into your industry or career. By understanding future prospects and showing genuine mutual interests, you can connect more deeply with seasoned professionals. We hope that our list of over 80 networking questions will come in handy the next time you network! If you want more tips and advice regarding networking or careers, check out Cake for free. And don’t forget to try out our new virtual networking app, Cake Meet!
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--- Originally Written by Bronte McNamara ---
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