Break the Mold: 30 Better Questions to Ask When Networking

Eliminate that awkward feeling and grow your professional network.
Start conversations with a few of the following questions.

• What brought you here?
• Do you love what you do? What about it?
• What has been the highlight of your day so far?
• Who is someone you really admire?
• What did you think you were going to do when you were younger?
• What’s your “go-to” advice?
• What was your first job? What was it like?
• What is something that people should know about your industry?
• What do you see as the coming trends in your industry?
• Do you have any upcoming travel plans?
• How do you two know each other?
• What are you reading currently?
• When you’re not working, how do you spend your time?
• What’s your favorite book?
• What’s your dream job?
• What’s the worst job you ever had?
• What was your favorite subject in school?
• What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
• If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with your extra time?
• At what job would you be terrible?
• What did you have to give up achieving your current level of success?
• What do you love about [insert their profession]?
• What does success mean to you?
• If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?
• Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your younger self?
• What are you working on that you are most excited about right now?
• Who is someone you really admire?
• How did you get into this field?
• What skills/experience do I need to start building to be successful in this field?
• Is there anyone you recommend I talk to next? May I mention you referred me?
• ** BONUS QUESTION ** How can I know someone I’m talking to would be a good person for you to know and meet?