4 great questions for those who do not know what to ask while networking

Many business and company events will give you the chance to network with other professionals. Career fairs or job fairs, office parties, company dinners, and conferences are some great networking opportunities. Every career guide on the internet mentions how important networking is to a successful career. There are many advantages to building and maintaining a professional network. You can leverage your network to help you with a new job application, attract potential clients, or even make a career switch!

However, a lot of employees dread networking events. This is because most of us feel awkward without knowing exactly what to say to a stranger we meet at a business event. But learning the right things to say to someone at one of those events will be extremely useful for you.

Keep these questions stored away in your mind for the next company mixer and create the right connections:

1. “What brings you here today?”

This is a light question that will give you a chance to start a conversation with someone you don’t know. Asking someone their reason for being at an event will give them the impression that you are genuinely interested in them. It will help you get an idea of what the person is interested in and their motives for attending the event. You can then steer the conversation wherever you want it to go. If it’s someone from a different industry or someone with an interesting job title, you may be able to learn some new facts. Who knows, one day they might be the person to do an informational interview for you about that cool job you are eyeing!

2. “How did you get interested in this industry/company?”

When you have got to know someone a little and got introduced to their field of work, ask them how they go their start. You will be able to learn a lot from a short conversation with someone who has climbed significantly higher than you on the career ladder. Usually, professionals who have worked their way up are willing to share their wisdom with aspiring young professionals. When you show your interest and enthusiasm in their career story, you will create a lasting impression of you in their mind. If you two are from the same company, you could even ask them to become a mentor for you in your career advancement journey.

3. “How could someone interested enter your company/industry?”

Usually, you are eager to attend networking events because you are looking for a new job. However, you can’t straight up ask someone you just met to give you intel about their hiring process. If it is someone from a company or industry you are interested in, you can ask this question to see their response. Most probably, they will sense your meaning and ask you if you are interested in joining their company. If you do make plans to follow up with someone about a new job, you can build a rapport with them and ask them to provide you with a referral for your next job application at their company.

4. “Based on your journey, what do you wish someone would have told you earlier in your career?”

This is a wonderful way to continue a conversation with someone much more senior than you are. It will show them that you think highly of their ideas and that you admire their career path. Also, you will definitely get to hear some interesting facts. Often, senior professionals are eager to help out newbies in the field. They will tell you everything you need to know about taking risks, thinking outside the box, career trends to follow, the best job titles for career advancement, and even finding cool unadvertised job openings to further your career!