Networking Etiquette

Networking can feel scary. It’s hard to know what to say to be successful. Here are 7 networking scripts to help you land more referrals: 1. “What do you think most people misunderstand about your field or role?” This question gets your contact talking about something they’re passionate about. It also lets them play the role of “expert” who is debunking the myths (something people love to do). Finally, it can give you some interesting new insights! 2. “I know you’re not hiring, but if you were me, how would you position my background?” This is a two-for-one deal. First, it gives you insight into how you can better position yourself based on your experience. Second, by positioning it as “I know you’re not hiring,” you open it up to them saying, “That’s not true, we are hiring!” and plants the seed for a referral. 3. “What’s the coolest / most exciting thing you’ve worked on in the past year?” This open ended question gets your contact talking about something they’re excited about and have positive associations with. That can give you insight into the role / team, but it will also give you more context around what this person cares about so you can lean into that as you build the relationship. 4. “Is there anyone else you think I should talk to?” This is a magical question because it creates a networking flywheel. Your contact is going to know other people in the space. If you ask this, you open the door for potential warm intros to other people you’d want to connect with anyways. Now you’re expanding your network without having to cold email! 5. “I’m especially interested in [area]. Does anything come to mind that I should be reading, following, or learning about?” This question gives you insight into the best ways to upskill. But it also opens the door for the next step in the relationship. When they share something, take action on it after your call. Then report back with what you learned and ask for more advice! 6. “If you had to start over in this field, is there anything you’d do differently?” This question gives your contact the chance to reflect on their journey and share advice. It can be helpful because it will show you common pitfalls and mistake to avoid as you’re trying to build your career in the same space. 7. “What’s something unexpected you’ve learned in your current role?” I love this question because most people aren’t prepare for it. That leads to some really fun, unique answers which give you insight into the role / team, as well as what this person values in terms of learnings and experience. Both of those things are job search gold!

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.

Two questions I get all the time about games industry conversations Particularly from those who are early career or don't like networking People often ask me two things. (1) What are good questions to ask at the end of interviews? A great question shows curiosity and preparation, not something you could find on Google. Never ask a “desktop research” question, one that could be answered just by looking up the studio’s website or press release. Here are some thoughtful questions to make a good impression: • What are the biggest challenges or priorities for your team this year • How does the team define success beyond sales or reviews • What does a great first 90 days look like for someone new • How does your studio encourage creativity or experimentation • What qualities do your most successful team members share • How does the studio measure long-term player satisfaction • What is one thing you wish more people understood about your game development process • How do cross-team collaborations usually work here • How has your team evolved over time and what do you hope to improve next • What does growth or progression look like for someone in this role • What are you most proud of about the studio culture • How do you approach work-life balance or sustainability in development Each one invites a real conversation instead of a trivia check. That's all you want to do and you can come up with many more of your own. (2) What can I say when networking, especially if I’m nervous Networking doesn’t need to feel formal. In fact, it's better if it's not at all. You can be completely yourself. The best openers are friendly, curious, and down to earth. Try things like: • Hi, I really loved the art direction in your latest game, how did that visual style come about • I saw you worked on X, that must have been an amazing experience, what part did you enjoy most • I’m just trying to learn more about how people got started in games, how did you find your first break • I’ve been following your studio for a while, what’s something you’re excited about right now • I watched your talk or read your post, it really resonated with me because… • I’m working on my own small project and I’d love to hear how you think about early prototypes • What’s something about your role that people outside the industry might not realize • How do you like working in this city or region for games development • What kind of games inspire you lately • I’m new to the industry and just trying to meet others who love making games You don’t need to sound polished or rehearsed. Just sound like a person who genuinely wants to connect. The best questions and introductions come from curiosity, not a script. People remember kindness, warmth, and interest far more than perfect phrasing.

I stood at the edge of the corporate world.  Behind me: 20 years of steady bonuses and familiar faces.  Ahead: The unknown world of starting anew. One step and I'd be in free fall. I took that step. Mid-fall, I realized I needed a parachute, one built of connections and insight. So I started weaving. I reached out to 100+ leaders who'd made this leap before. CXOs, Founders, Innovators on every continent. The results floored me: • 99 out of 100 strangers said yes (Only one person said "I'm too busy" for this) • Our talks sparked 'aha' moments (For them, they said, not just me. Win-win!) • I scored a dream team of cheerleaders (From strangers to wise guides) Here's the three principles I used: 🌟 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 • Don't just ask what they do, ask "What made you pick this?"  • Ask "What twists happened in your career plot?" • Ask "What drives to do this even today?" 🌟 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 • Ask "What unexpected challenge came up?"  • Ask "What expectations are unfulfilled?" • Ask "What are you still figuring out?" 🌟 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 • Ask "What's one piece of advice you would give to someone in my position?"  • Ask "Who else would you recommend I meet?" • Use the advice to shape your new path. The lesson? Networking isn't about collecting contact cards. It's about curiosity and connection. What one new insight have you uncovered through networking? Photo: me with Peter Bostelmann. One curious chat turned my hero into my mentor. #LinkedInNewsAsia #Networking #Entrepreneurship #EmotionalIntelligence

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'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 best networking advice I ever got: Start before you need anything. When I wanted a marketing role at Google , I started reaching out to employees six months before applications opened. Not to ask for a referral. Just to learn. I asked: How did you end up in your role? What skills matter most on your team? What makes someone successful here? Those conversations gave me something better than a referral. They gave me context. Context about what the team valued. Context about how interviews actually worked. Context about how to position my non-traditional background. By the time I applied, I wasn't guessing. I knew exactly what they were looking for. Most students think networking is transactional. It's not. It's informational. And the earlier you start, the more natural it feels. 💾 Repost this if you're trying to break into competitive roles 👇🏽 Be honest: what makes networking feel hard for you right now? Fear of bothering people? Not knowing what to say? Let's talk about it Follow ✨Catori Griffin✨ for early-career advice that doesn't gatekeep access

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 "𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞" 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧. Here's what I've learned watching hundreds of executives navigate career transitions: Networking isn't about working a room. It's about working your relationships. There's a difference between someone who knows you and someone who champions you. In today's job market, you need both — but champions are what move the needle. 𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: • Who in your network has seen your work up close and would speak to it without hesitation? •Who has influence in the spaces you're trying to enter? •Who have you shown up for — and would genuinely show up for you in return? These are the conversations worth having first. Not a broadcast to 500 connections, but a genuine, personal outreach to a targeted few. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐩: Networking doesn't start when you need a job. The executives who land fastest are almost always the ones who stayed connected — even when things were going well. Your network is a living thing. It grows when you tend to it and fades when you don't. If you're in transition right now, start there. Reconnect before you ask. Give before you need. Be specific about how someone can help you — people want to help, but they need direction. Who in your network has been your greatest advocate? I'd love to hear your story below.

Most people network with an agenda. They want a job, a connection, or a favor. But the professionals who stand out? They lead with curiosity. When you're genuinely curious about someone's work, their challenges, and their perspective, the conversation shifts entirely. You're no longer just another person asking for something - you're someone worth talking to. Here's what curiosity does: 📌 It makes people feel valued, not transacted with. 📌 It uncovers insights you'd never find on a LinkedIn profile. 📌 It creates memorable conversations that lead to real relationships. I've seen this play out countless times. The candidates who ask thoughtful questions about a company's challenges or a leader's career path? They're the ones who get remembered when opportunities arise. So before your next coffee chat or networking event, ditch the sales pitch. Instead, prepare questions that show you've done your homework and genuinely want to learn. Ask about their biggest wins, their toughest problems, what excites them right now. Curiosity isn't just polite - it's strategic. And it's what transforms networking from transactional to transformational.