by Rose A.
Have you ever thought about going to a networking event, or even showed up to one, but had no idea where to begin?
If you tend to get nervous about networking or don’t know what to say, don’t worry: you're not alone.
The hardest part of networking is breaking the initial barrier of overthinking: once you get out of your head, everything gets easier from there and even more so with practice. One step forward can be enough to change the path of your career forever, so if you’re looking to finally take it, you’ve come to the right place!
In this blog, you’ll learn how to reduce your mental load and put your best self out there.
Start with one-on-one
If you’re wondering how to strike up a conversation at an event like Opportunities in A&F, the best way to ease into it is to start one-on-one, with a general opener about the event. Here are a few no-fail examples you can try:
- How has your night been going so far?
- Have you been to one of these events before?
- What made you decide to come to this event tonight?
While small talk isn’t everyone’s forte, most people expect it at a networking event. It’s an easy, low-pressure way to establish a point of connection and ease into deeper conversation.
After this, you’ll want to introduce yourself and your field of study/work, and lead into how you want to learn more about their work.
Join a group
If you’re nervous or just need a warm-up, a foolproof starting point is to join a group.
A group setting can take the pressure off, as there is usually someone willing to speak and fill the silence. This helps avoid awkwardness and holds off the need for you to carry a conversation until you’re ready.
Once you build experience, an event like The School of Accounting and Finance’s (SAF) Opportunities in Accounting and Finance Night is the perfect place to put your new skills to the test and step outside your comfort zone.
Top 12 conversation starters to keep in your back pocket
Another thing that’ll help take the pressure off is to have conversation starters on hand for the event.
After either striking up a conversation or integrating yourself into a group, you can start asking real questions. Here are some top conversation starters that can lead your conversations down interesting and memorable paths:
Career Questions
Professionals are often proud of their career journeys and enjoy sharing their experiences.
Showing genuine interest in their accomplishments and building on their stories with thoughtful follow‑up questions can be a great way to break the ice.
- How did you get into your current field?
- Could you give me a brief rundown of your career so far?
- What’s your experience been like working at [company]?
- What was the most memorable project you worked on?
- What’s something exciting you’re working on right now?
Advice Questions
Seeking insight is flattering to most people and defers to the other person’s level of experience.
Try framing the person you’re talking to as a mentor and ask them questions like:
- What advice would you give someone trying to enter your field?
- What’s one thing you wish you knew when you were in my position?
- I’m exploring internships in [field]. Could I ask what skills helped you succeed early on?
- What skills do you think will matter most in the next few years in your field?
- Are there any upcoming trends in your area that students should pay attention to?
Tailored Questions
If you scan the LinkedIn profiles of the attending professionals beforehand, you can come up with specific questions about their backgrounds and expertise.
You’ve probably been told before to “do your research” but seriously: asking specific questions about someone’s past personal experiences could be what makes you stand out the most. Not only does it demonstrate authentic interest, it also snaps the professional out of their usual responses and drives the conversation in a unique and compelling direction.
- In your [x] years of experience, what have you learned from your different positions?
- I saw that you used to work in [x company or field]. What made you switch and stay here?
Try to keep track of the other party's responses and build on them with more questions and conversation. Be sure to tuck away especially memorable points from the interaction because you’ll need them after the event.
Smooth conversation closers
Figuring out how to step away from a conversation can also be a point of worry for some. A simple way to do it is to:
- Lead out with something polite like “I don’t want to take up too much more of your time” or “Thank you so much for your time, I’m going to keep circulating”,
- mention that it’s been great talking to them, and then finally,
- ask if you could leave them your business card (with your LinkedIn on it, of course).
After the event, you can follow up with that person on LinkedIn about something memorable you discussed.
How to leverage LinkedIn before, during and after networking events.
What if I fail to make a good impression? What if the conversation is awkward? What if it’s not worth it?
Taking action will create the same change, regardless of how much time you spend thinking about it. You can find comfort in remembering that preparation always helps and that there will always be another networking event to attend. Each time you show up, you will grow more skilled and confident; you will get better at this over time.
Hopefully these tips will help equip you for Opportunities in A&F Night, but the best tip of all is to not overthink it: just go and do.