How to Foster Engaging Conversations for Networking

🤝 Networking feels awkward? You’re not alone. If the idea of reaching out to someone for “networking” makes you cringe, you’re not the only one. Many of us associate networking with forced small talk, sales pitches, or feeling like we’re asking for favours. But here’s the truth: Networking doesn’t have to feel transactional. When done right, it’s about building authentic, mutually beneficial connections that can open doors and provide value to both parties. Here’s how to make networking feel natural and effective: 1️⃣ Start with Common Ground When reaching out, mention something you genuinely admire or have in common. This could be their work on a specific project, attending the same school, or even shared connections. 👉 Example: “Hi [Name], I recently read about your work on [specific project], and I found it fascinating! As someone interested in [related topic], I’d love to hear about your approach.” 2️⃣ Shift the Mindset from “Getting” to “Giving” Instead of asking for favours, think about how you can offer value. Sharing helpful insights, articles, or even thoughtful comments on LinkedIn posts can create goodwill and start a genuine conversation. 👉 Example: Commenting on their post: “I really appreciate your take on [topic]. It reminded me of [specific example/experience], and I’m excited to apply this in my own work!” 3️⃣ Ask for Advice, Not Favours People love to share their expertise, and asking for advice shows respect for their knowledge. It’s a low-pressure way to connect while learning something valuable. 👉 Example: “Hi [Name], I’m exploring opportunities in [industry/role], and your career journey is inspiring. Would you be open to a quick chat to share advice on [specific topic]?” 4️⃣ Follow Up with Gratitude Networking doesn’t end after one conversation. Send a thank-you note, share how their advice helped, or engage with their updates online to maintain the connection. 👉 Example: “Thank you for taking the time to chat with me! Your advice on [topic] was so helpful—I’ve already started applying it and am seeing progress. Let’s stay in touch!” 💡 Final Thought: Networking isn’t about collecting connections; it’s about building relationships. Approach each interaction with curiosity, authenticity, and a genuine desire to add value, and you’ll find it feels much less awkward—and a lot more rewarding. How do you make networking feel natural? Let’s share ideas below! 💬👇 #NetworkingTips #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalConnections #JobSearch

Aimless networking won’t get you an interview: If you’re reaching out to people with: ❌ “Hey, are you hiring?” ❌ “Can you refer me for a role?” ❌ “I need a job—can we chat?” Then, you’re doing it wrong. Networking isn’t about ASKING for a job. It’s about BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS that create opportunities. Here’s how to have networking conversations that actually lead to job interviews: 1️⃣ Start with Genuine Interest and Intention of Building the Relationship After some research on the connections, reach out with curiosity, not desperation. Example: “I admire your career path in [industry]. What are some challenges you’re seeing within this space?” 2️⃣ Focus on Their Experience People enjoy sharing their journey. Ask thoughtful questions: ✔ What expertise have you developed in this role? ✔ What are the 2 biggest challenges you’re working on now? ✔ What skills have been most valuable for finding workable solutions? 3️⃣ Share Your Value—Naturally Instead of asking for a job, share what you’ve been working on (or had success in) that is relatable. Example: “I’ve been leading [specific projects] and applying my expertise in [industry]. Sometimes that experience can be a solution to X (one of the challenges they mentioned). 4️⃣ End with a Soft Ask and offer to be a resource for them. Don’t force a referral—invite guidance. Example: “Based on what I’ve shared, who else in your network would be appropriate to be introduced to?” 5️⃣ Follow Up & Stay Visible Keep the relationship alive—send a thank-you note along with a resource for them. Engage with their content, and if you met with a person they referred,  update them on your progress. The best networking is an exchange. It’s strategic and relational. Networking can be challenging if you view it one way.  Make it mutual. Let me know in the comments if you agree that both parties need to benefit from networking conversations and how you prepare to make that happen.

You don't need a $5,000 coach to stand out and build a network. You just need to do what 95% of people won't. I was a nobody when I joined Microsoft. No fancy connections. No Ivy League degree. But I landed 100 coffee chats in my first year. Those conversations led to many of my career breakthroughs. Here's what I learned (for free): 🌷 Make it easy to say yes — Ask for 20 mins — Be clear about why them & what I want to learn — Offer 2-3 time options — Attach my career walking deck (one pager) to the invite 🌷 Show up ready to make a strong impression — Confirm the time in advance — Share an optional pre-read w/ mini agenda — Research and prep 3-5 unique questions — Break the ice with my career walking deck (~1 min) — Take notes (when appropriate) 🌷 Send a thoughtful thank you note — Recap my key learnings from the conversation  — Share next steps/goals (gives you something to follow up on) — Ask for feedback or ways to pay it forward Many people don't do this. And then say networking sucks. If you show a little respect and effort, people will be open to connection. ✨ Bonus tip ✨ — Send a holiday note to thank them again for their time and share interesting updates. — This opens the door to reconnecting in the new year (I spend hours sending 100+ of these every December)! Here's to you having better conversations that help you grow 1% everyday ☕️ P.S. I share 1 big takeaway from my now hundreds of career conversations in my monthly newsletter 👉 kkarenism.com/substack

"You are so interesting to talk to!" My networking partner said this after our coffee chat last week. Plot twist: I barely talked about myself. For 45 minutes, I asked about her career transition. Her challenges with remote team management. What she was learning about AI implementation. I listened. Asked follow-up questions. Showed genuine curiosity about her experience. She did 80% of the talking. Yet somehow, I was the "interesting" one. This reminded me of something negotiation expert Chris Voss teaches: interested people are interesting!!! It sounds backwards, but it works. The best networking conversations I have had? I spent most of them learning about the other person's journey, not pitching my own. The strongest professional relationships I have built? They started with me asking "What's the most challenging part of your role right now?" instead of leading with my resume. Here's what I have learned about building real connections: Stop trying to be impressive. Start being impressed by others. Ask questions that matter to them. Listen like their answer will teach you something new. Because it probably will. The fastest way to become memorable is to make others feel heard. What's the best question you have been asked in a networking conversation? What made it so good?

You're doing networking backwards. I see it every day. Business owners walking into rooms armed with elevator pitches, business cards, and the same tired question: "What do you do?" Then they wonder why networking feels like a waste of time. Here's the secret: The person asking the questions guides the conversation. And if you're not guiding the conversation, you're just another vendor chasing leads. Stop selling. Start asking. I built Success Champion Networking on a simple principle - quit chasing leads, start owning real estate in people's minds. And that happens through three types of questions: ❓️Journey Questions: get people talking about themselves. Not the rehearsed elevator pitch, but their actual story. "Tell me your story. How did you get started in [industry]?" moves you past surface-level BS to reveal the real person. ❓️Challenge Questions: uncover pain points and build authority. "What's the biggest bottleneck in your business right now?" This isn't consulting, it's caring. When you understand their struggles, you become someone who gets it. ❓️Future Questions: identify where they're going so you can be the bridge. "What does success look like for you 12 months from now?" Now you're positioned to make valuable introductions and offer real solutions. When you guide the conversation with the right questions, three things happen: You offer solutions. You open doors. You make valuable introductions. That's not networking. That's relationship building. And relationships drive revenue. The old way was transactional - collect cards, make pitches, hope for ROI. The new way is relational - deep dialogue, genuine connection, long-term growth. Stop separating "Work You" from "Real You." Authentic relationships are what actually move the needle. What questions are you asking in your next networking conversation? --- Want more frameworks like this? Follow me for straight-talk strategies on building business relationships that actually matter.

The conversation you almost didn’t have is the one that could change everything Most people underestimate small talk. But in reality, it’s where opportunity starts. Careers, partnerships, friendships, deals They rarely begin in a boardroom They begin in a simple conversation If you know how to handle it well, small talk becomes one of the highest ROI skills you can develop Here is a simple, repeatable 3 step framework Step 1: Master small talk (without it feeling small) Use this structure to guide natural conversation: F.O.R.D. Family → traditions, background, what matters to them Occupation → why they chose their path, not just what they do Recreation → how they spend time outside of work Dreams → if they could do anything, what would it be This is not a script It is a way to stay curious and intentional Layer it with fundamentals that most people forget: • Active listening • Strong eye contact • Thoughtful follow up questions Avoid the common mistakes: • Interrupting • Making it all about you, keep it balanced • Asking overly personal questions too early • Being critical or dismissive • Non responsiveness or checking your phone And when it is time to leave: Exit with intention Thank them, acknowledge the conversation, and close with presence That alone sets you apart Step 2: Exchange contact information the right way This is where most people drop the ball Do not say “we should connect sometime” Be direct and natural: “Let’s stay in touch, I’d enjoy continuing this conversation” Then make it easy: • Connect on LinkedIn immediately • Send a quick message referencing something specific you discussed Specificity is what makes you memorable Step 3: Follow up like a professional This is where relationships are actually built Within 24 to 48 hours: • Send a short message • Reference something meaningful from your conversation • Add value if possible, article, introduction, idea Example: “I enjoyed our conversation about expanding into wellness spaces. I came across something you might find interesting, happy to share.” No pressure No hard ask Just relevance and consistency Most people think networking is about volume It is not It is about depth, presence, and follow through Small talk is not small It is the front door to everything that comes next Curious question: What is one conversation you had recently that could turn into something more if you followed up?

Everyone Talks About Networking…But Few Know How to Be Remembered Everyone loves to talk about the power of networking… But….hardly anyone talks about how to be remembered once the room clears. Because here’s the truth, you don’t get remembered for what you do. You get remembered for how you make people feel. After years of walking into rooms, hosting events, and connecting leaders, I’ve learned something simple but powerful: Most people are so focused on being interesting that they forget to be interested. Networking isn’t a numbers game, in fact it’s it’s an energy exchange. You can talk to 50 people and gain nothing… or connect deeply with two and change your entire trajectory. The people who stand out aren’t the ones with the perfect pitch or the shiny business cards. They’re the ones who make others feel seen. They listen without scanning the room for someone “more important.” They follow up because they actually meant it when they said, “Let’s stay in touch.” ✨ If you want to be remembered: • Ask questions that spark real conversation and not “What do you do?” but “What’s lighting you up right now?” • Listen like you actually care, because you should. • Follow up with context and remind them what made the conversation meaningful. That’s how introductions become opportunities. That’s how relationships turn into results. That’s how you become unforgettable. So before your next event, skip the elevator pitch. Start with curiosity instead. The right question might open a door you didn’t even know existed. What’s your favorite go-to question when meeting someone new? 👇 #Networking #Leadership #Authenticity #BusinessDevelopment #GrowthMindset #RelationshipCapital #StrategicConnections

Networking can feel as awkward as a first date. You’re meeting someone new, trying to make a good impression, and hoping they’ll want to stay in touch (or at least remember your name). Uncomfortable? Sometimes. But it’s also an opportunity to build a meaningful connection. I know this firsthand. Ten years ago, I went on a lot of first dates. What set my now-husband apart? He asked great questions, listened attentively, shared openly, and didn’t dominate the conversation. Turns out, those same strategies work well in networking. Here’s how to apply them: 𝟭. 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻) Ask thoughtful, open-ended questions like: “What excites you most about what you’re working on right now?” “How did you get started in your field?” “What’s a challenge you’re tackling that you’re passionate about?” Then, really listen. Engage. Ask follow-up questions. People remember how you make them feel–and feeling heard builds real connection. 𝟮. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗧𝘄𝗼-𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 A bad date? Someone who talks only about themselves. A bad networking conversation? Same. Share your own stories, insights, experiences and interests. Find common ground, build rapport. On our first date, I asked my husband where he wanted to travel next. He said, “the Amalfi Coast.” As fate would have it, I was slated to host a University of Michigan Alumni trip there later that spring. That sparked a deeper conversation about the kind of experiences we value. 𝟯. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 A great date–and a great networking conversation–ends with both people wanting to stay in touch. Offer something meaningful—an interesting article, a relevant connection, or a thoughtful follow-up message referencing something specific you discussed. My husband ended the first date with, “I like you. When can I see you again?” I wasn’t sure if he was a rookie who didn’t know how to play it cool or refreshingly confident. Turns out, it was the latter. 𝟰. 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗨𝗽  Send a quick LinkedIn message or email within 48 hours. Reference something specific from your conversation to show you were paying attention: “It was great meeting you at the event! I loved our conversation about (specific topic). Would love to stay in touch and hear how it progresses!” My husband followed up our first date with a note—and a photo of the wine I ordered that night, sitting in his grocery cart next to some celery. (Yes, really. See the photo below.) 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴) 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 It’s not about racking up LinkedIn connections—it’s about cultivating relationships. Which brings me to the second photo. My husband’s approach to dating eventually led to an invitation to the Amalfi Coast trip. Just not on the first date, like he likes to tell it. What’s your best networking tip or funniest dating story?

Most professionals don’t struggle to start conversations. They struggle to start conversations that go somewhere. After meeting someone new at a networking event, you hear the same questions over and over: “What do you do?” “Do you like what you do?” “Are you from here?” Closed questions: • produce short answers • limit direction • kill momentum And most importantly—they don’t create a real conversation. You hear these questions so often, you can predict them before they’re asked. The problem isn’t the question. It’s what the question produces. Closed questions produce answers. Open questions produce stories. And stories are where you find: • context • challenges • priorities Professionals who build strong networks do something different. They start conversations with open-ended questions—questions that: • invite context • reveal challenges • create direction Because the goal isn’t to talk. The goal is to understand before you respond. This is where real conversations—and real Discovery—begin. Here are five ways to start a real conversation at a networking event: “What brought you here today?” “What kind of work are you focused on right now?” “What’s been keeping you busy lately?” “How did you get into this line of work?” “What are you working toward this year?” Notice the difference? These questions don’t end the conversation. They open it. Most professionals rely on energy. High-performing professionals rely on structure. Good conversations feel productive. Structured conversations create opportunity.

STOP BRINGING YOUR RESUME TO NETWORKING MEETINGS If you're job hunting, you might think you need a polished resume before you can start networking. You don't. You don't need a completed resume to start having meaningful career conversations. Once you understand why, you'll never feel the need to bring it to a networking meeting again. WOULD YOU SHARE YOUR RESUME IF YOU ALREADY HAD A JOB? Imagine you're happily employed and someone asks to meet for coffee. Would you bring your resume? Of course not. So why do you feel like you need one just because you're job searching? What you actually need is a purpose for the meeting, a few good questions, and a willingness to listen and learn. NETWORKING IS NOT ABOUT LANDING A JOB. IT'S ABOUT LEARNING. The best networking conversations aren't job pitches. They're mutual exchanges of insights, experiences, and ideas. When you lead with "I'm job hunting," you risk shifting the focus off information gathering to "do you know of any jobs?" (This is not likely to help you). THINK OF NETWORKING AS GETTING SOME FRESH AIR → Advice on career moves, job search strategies, or changing direction → Information about companies, industry trends, or future opportunities → Recommendations for people to meet, groups to join, or skills to develop The best networkers don't wait until they need something to start showing up. They build relationships consistently so when opportunities arise, they're already in the room. COME PREPARED WITH SMART QUESTIONS Thoughtful questions signal curiosity and make conversations memorable. Try these: → "What challenges are you seeing in [industry] right now?" → "Have you or your team tried any new approaches lately?" → "What trends do you think will have the biggest impact this year?" These open the door to real dialogue rather than a one-sided pitch. YOU HAVE VALUE TO OFFER, TOO You've gained insights, experiences, and lessons worth sharing. Think about who you've already met on your networking journey. What stories or tips could you pass along? When you show up as a connector and a resource, you become someone people genuinely want to stay in touch with. WHAT IF SOMEONE ASKS FOR YOUR RESUME? That's usually a sign that the purpose of your meeting wasn't clear from the start. Get ahead of it by sharing your LinkedIn profile in your meeting request and being upfront that you're there to learn, not to pitch yourself. THE BOTTOM LINE Networking is about building relationships and uncovering opportunities long before a job posting goes live. Show up curious, prepared, and confident. No paper required. ❓ What is holding you back from having conversations/networking? Drop a comment below.