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Networking is fundamental whether you are living at a student residence, searching for a job, have one already, or own a business. It is one of the best ways of forming professional connections. Networking events usually consist of like-minded people from the same business industry or professional niche, so you can gain valuable insights and opportunities, especially when you ask the right networking questions.

Types of networking events

Many networking options are available nowadays, unlike before, when they only happened during conferences or coffee meetings. You can easily pick any event type according to your goals and preferred demographic.

Industrial Seminars

Industry-specific seminars can give you insider information about your career path. You can meet renowned people who often lead such meetings. The discussions are also in-depth, regardless of the topic. You can learn a lot from knowledgeable speakers.

Job fairs

Career fairs are more suitable for people searching for jobs. The main goal of such events is to find potential employees. Some companies hold job fairs regularly, but most of those events involve several potential employers you can assess. The venue can have multiple booths for various organizations.

Colleges and University Events

College events can be for current students or recent graduates. Either way, they provide opportunities for landing internships or jobs. Sometimes alumni events are organized according to geographical locations.

Some institutions arrange for live streaming of such events; therefore, you do not have to attend in person.

Trade Shows

Business owners attend trade shows to mingle with like-minded individuals and assess the competition or potential customers. The events provide a platform for launching new products or connecting with suppliers. You can get immeasurable value by asking good networking questions, especially if you are in the self-employment sector.

Community Services

Local organizations can organize workshops where their leaders meet with the locals and impart knowledge to the attendees. Most of them are for educational reasons, but they are a great place to connect and interact.

Networking sessions can also be conducted online. LinkedIn, Eventbrite, Meetup, and Ten Thousand Coffees are some platforms that share valuable resources for such events. Ensure you have a professional-looking profile when using them.

Questions to ask when networking

Networking can only benefit you if you know what to say to potential employers, business partners, or mentors. At the same time, starting a conversation can be tasking sometimes. That is why knowing the perfect questions to ask while networking is vital, especially those that can lead to detailed discussions or informative sharing.

Below are some good open-ended questions for networking events you may attend next. We have categorized them, but you can customize those you like for your event.

Questions to Help Forge a Career Path

The following questions are helpful if you are unsure about your preferred career but know the industry you like. You can use them to discover more information about jobs in that industry to gain clarity. Some of them could give you insight into areas you had ignored.

  • Have you been in this industry for a long time? Why did you select the job?
  • How fulfilling is this career?
  • What skills do I need to thrive in the same field?
  • What is the biggest challenge you have overcome thus far?
  • Is there room for internship or apprenticeship opportunities in the sector?
  • How does your career path differ from others in the same industry?
  • Would you change your career if an opportunity arises?
  • What do you dislike about the job?
  • How would you advise someone unsure about starting the same job?
  • How long have you been in the industry? What steps did you take to get where you are?

Networking Questions for Students

Knowing the networking questions to ask students is critical in determining whether you meet the eligibility standards for a specific career.

  • Which institution did you attend for tertiary level learning?
  • What degree would you recommend for this field?
  • What advice would you give someone still in college, trying to figure out if they are on the right track for this job?
  • How did your education prepare you for the job you currently have?
  • Would you change any classes if you were to go back to school? Which ones?

Job-related Questions

The following questions differ from those on career paths. They are more specific and suitable for people who already know their preferred job. You can ask about daily activities to ascertain whether you can meet the demands.

  • What responsibilities do you handle? Given a chance, would you change any of them?
  • Do you work as a team, or is it individual work?
  • What elements do you handle in a typical day?
  • Which aspects do you love most about the job?
  • How many hours do you put in? Do you ever feel overworked?
  • What is the management style for the position?
  • What projects are you doing currently?
  • How do you manage performance review processes?

Networking Questions About a Specific Company

You may desire to work for a specific company but do not know if it is a good fit. You do not need unique networking questions to determine if the company policies or work environment suit you.

  • Does the company have international or national partners?
  • When was the company formed?
  • Do you like the work culture?
  • Do you know if there are expansion plans?
  • Where do you think the company will be in a few years?
  • What do you like about the work environment?
  • What challenges is the company facing currently?
  • What does your work entail? Is the job restricted to the office space, or do you travel? What about fieldwork?
  • What is the company size? Do you manage any team?

Questions About an Industry

You can use the questions below if you need a mentor or professional guide in a specific industry.

  • Based on the current trend, do you think the industry will grow or decline in the next few years?
  • What are the best resources to use to thrive in the industry?
  • What skills do I need to get into the industry and succeed?
  • Which companies are currently performing well in the sector?
  • Which company is the most reputable?
  • What is the main challenge in the existing industry now?
  • What changes have you noticed in your field since you began?

Questions to Ask at a Networking Event

Questions to ask when networking internally at an event include:

  • Are you attending such an event for the first time?
  • Why did you decide to come to this event?
  • Did the speaker inspire you?
  • What do you think about the proceedings so far?

Coffee Chat Questions

A coffee chat is an informal meeting that can help you prepare if you need employment.

  • What are some core components in this career to get me started?
  • What do you love most about the role, and what challenges do you deal with regularly?
  • Which networking events would you propose for someone in the same career?
  • How would you advise me if I am interested in the same occupation?
  • Can you share the best resources to explore to get ahead?
  • Do you know any companies hiring worth considering?

Remember to phrase the informal coffee chat questions properly to avoid sounding like you are directly asking the person for a job.

Benefits of Networking

When done correctly, networking can be more beneficial than sending resumes.

Exposure to Available Opportunities

Industry peers and leaders share a lot of information at networking events. Your peers can share their challenges or new ideas that can motivate you to start the career you want. Such events also allow you to be among the first to find out about available employment opportunities – you could land an interview if you phrase the questions rightly.

Professional Connections

Networking provides the platform to mingle with other professionals in your business or career sector. Such connections can help you stay up-to-date to give you a competitive advantage in your field. Remember, you share the same interests as the networking event attendees. Maintaining the connections should not be too difficult.

Access to Invaluable Knowledge

You will meet people with more knowledge and experience at a networking event. You learn a lot by interacting with them.

So, what are your top 3 networking tips?

  1. Do not undermine round table discussions when considering networking events. They break down hierarchies, allow you to learn from peers, and boost confidence by enabling you to express your point of view freely.
  2. Apart from identifying the right questions to ask during a coffee chat, you should also research the person you are meeting. Check their profile on professional platforms like LinkedIn or their website.
  3. Do not shy from asking questions that are not directly related to a person’s job, so long as they are not too personal. For instance, you can ask about their interests if you think the answer can help you understand their role better. An example of a good question would be, do you have memberships in some professional associations?

Networking can also be fun. Do not go to any event feeling intimidated. The questions above can help you approach people and start a conversation. Remember to keep an open mind.

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