How do you feel about asking people questions at networking events? Whether you want to discuss career opportunities, connect with new people in your field or simply enjoy an evening among colleagues, asking questions is key. But it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Some people feel shy or uncomfortable about asking questions, especially to prospective employers.

 

But the good news is that you don't need to be a master conversationalist in order to network successfully. All you need to do is express interest in the people you meet. It’s about being respectful, genuine and attentive. When you're intentional about what you do—even when you feel uncomfortable about it—you give yourself the opportunity to grow professionally. So at your next networking event, don't hold back! Ask questions so that you can build relationships, engage in interesting conversations and learn from others.

 

Ease into it

When you meet new people, remember that nobody likes to feel like they're being interrogated. Keep things natural by asking carefully chosen, open-ended questions that get the other person talking. This will give you the chance to respond and share your own experiences.

 

Get past basic introductions

Make the conversation more meaningful by going beyond basic chit-chat. Networking events are an opportunity to get to know people who share your interest in engineering. Steer the conversation toward topics of interest by asking open-ended questions.

This means avoiding questions that lead to "yes" or "no" answers, such as those that start with "Did you..." or "Do you think that..."

 

Instead, choose questions starting with "who," "what," "where," "when," "why" or "how." This will get the other person to share more information, which makes for a more interesting conversation. For example, "How did you start your career?" will get you a more satisfying answer than "How long have you been working for this company?"

 

Be attentive

Show you're genuinely interested in the other person by giving them your undivided attention.

• Listen actively to what they have to say, and don't let random thoughts distract you.
• Be aware of your body language, tone of voice and facial expressions. Do they convey the right message?
• At the same time, notice your conversation partner's posture and tone. Sometimes you need to read their non-verbal cues so that you can steer the conversation effectively. This will make things flow more naturally.
• Don't be afraid of silences, even if they make you uncomfortable.
• And don't get hung up on your mistakes. If you stumble over a word or bungle a question, remember that it's no big deal. Laugh it off and try again.
• Basically, just be yourself. You don't have to pretend to be someone you're not or try to impress others. Being a good conversationalist isn't about putting on a perfect performance.

Good luck building a network that works for you!