88 Conversation Starters For Networking

Have you ever felt that no matter how many business cards you distribute, or how many elevator pitches you give at networking events, you still don’t manage to make the type of connections that can lead to successful relationships?

The truth is that no one likes the same old boring questions or conversation starters. If you want to be different and make meaningful and real connections with others, you need to ask better questions.

You need to start interesting conversations using thought-provoking and unique ideas. These conversation starters can help you begin genuine and exciting conversations with people.

Conversation Starters for Networking

“What’s the last book/article you read that changed your life?”
“If you could only accomplish one thing this year, what would it be?”
“What’s something you’re learning right now, personally or professionally?”
“Tell me about a time when you took a risk and it paid off.”
“What’s your go-to method for staying inspired on days when you just can’t?”
“What’s one piece of advice you’ve been given that changed your life?”
“What has been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on so far in your career?”
“What’s an unusual interest or hobby you’ve recently discovered?”
“If you could instantly learn one new skill, what would it be?”
“How did you get into this field?”
“What’s one thing that most people don’t know about what you do?”
“What’s one big misconception people have about your job that you wish you could correct?”
“Have you ever had a mentor or someone who really influenced your career path?”
“What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given?”
“What’s the most unconventional job you’ve ever had?”
“How did your last job help you get the one you have now?”
“What’s one thing you wish more people understood about your line of work?”
“If you could go back to any time in your career and do it again, what would you do differently?”
“What’s one thing life has taught you that you wish you knew sooner?”
“What was the most transformative travel experience you’ve had?”
“Do you believe in work-life balance? How do you spend your time outside of work?”
“If money and time were no object, what would your dream life look like?”
“What’s one personal goal you’re currently working toward?”
“What was the best decision you’ve made for your mental health?”
“How do you relax and recharge after a long day/week?”
“What’s one thing you’ve learned from a difficult situation in your life?”
“What’s one thing on your bucket list that you haven’t checked off yet?”
“What’s the best advice someone in your life has given you?”
“Where do you see yourself in 5 years, both in life and professionally?”
“What are you most excited about in terms of the future of your industry?”
“What impact do you want to make in your community/the world?”
“If you could guess one major change in your industry in the next 10 years, what would it be?”
“What new technology/trend do you think will have the biggest impact on your work?”
“What would your dream work environment/company culture be like in the future?”
“What’s a future project/initiative you’re looking forward to?”
“What does success look like for you in the next stage of your career?”
“What’s the most exciting aspect of your work and why?”
“What’s the most rewarding part of your job?”
“What do you value most in a professional relationship?”
“What’s something you wish people understood about the challenges of your job?”
“How do you celebrate successes, both big and small?”
“What’s the best reward you’ve received from stepping outside your comfort zone?”
“What’s the most emotional experience you’ve had in your career?”
“What’s one thing that makes you feel really passionate about your job?”
“What’s the most creative thing you’ve ever worked on?”
“If you could design your dream project/company, what would it be?”
“What’s the best idea you’ve had lately and how did you go about implementing it?”
“What’s the most innovative solution you’ve ever come up with in your work?”
“What’s a new approach you’re trying in your work/life?”
“What’s a creative way you’ve used to solve a problem in your field?”
“How do you stay creative in a field that can be quite rigid?”
“What’s the last ‘outside-the-box’ idea you tried and how did it pan out?”
“If you could switch careers for a day, what would you do?”
“What’s something that’s on your bucket list that’s completely unrelated to work?”
“If you could have dinner with anyone (alive or dead), who would it be?”
“What’s your go-to karaoke song?”
“If you could live in any time period, which one would you choose and why?”
“What’s the most unusual job/career you’ve ever wanted to do?”
“If you were an animal, which one would you be and why?”
“What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done for fun?”
“If you could be any character from a movie, who would you be and why?”
“What’s a surprising fact about you that most people wouldn’t know?”
“What’s the most important value you look for in someone you work with?”
“How do you like to work with others on projects?”
“What’s one way you build strong relationships at work/with business associates?”
“What’s the most meaningful professional relationship you’ve built and how did it come about?”
“What do you think makes a great leader?”
“How do you ensure effective communication with others in a team environment?”
“What’s one thing you’ve learned from a failure that made you a better professional?”
“What’s a recent situation where you’ve had to work together to solve a problem?”
“What’s something you’re grateful for right now in your career?”
“Who’s been the most influential person in your career and how did they help you?”
“What’s one thing you’re thankful for that happened recently?”
“Who inspires you in your field and why?”
“What’s a small win you’ve been celebrating this week?”
“What’s a meaningful thank-you note you’ve received from a work acquaintance?”
“What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you at work?”
“If you could have any superpower at work, what would it be?”
“What’s the most hilarious mistake you’ve made at work?”
“If your workday was a movie, what would it be titled?”

“What do you think is your superpower at work?”
“What’s something you’ve been working hard on improving recently?”
“What’s a trait you see in others that you’d like to develop more of?”
“What do you think is your most valuable skill/trait?”

“What’s your favorite way to unwind after a hectic workday?”
“How do you find time for personal interests outside work?”
“What’s something you do to maintain a good work-life balance?”
“How do you deal with burnout when things get overwhelming?”

Final Thoughts:

Conversation is an art that is essential to master if you are to network successfully. In today’s age of easy sharing and networking, it is often the difference between a simple meeting of two strangers and an extraordinary opportunity for collaboration, partnership, or friendship.

These conversation starters can help you find those opportunities by starting real and exciting conversations with people. You will leave a lasting impression and start relationships you’ll look back on with pride and positivity, and it all starts with asking the right questions.

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ONWE DAMIAN

Onwe Damian Chukwuemeka is a relationship and self-improvement coach, as well as a final-year law student at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. He has distinguished himself in leadership and service, and has held key positions such as Deputy Director of Public Prosecution in the Students’ Union Government and Justice of the Malabor High Court, University of Calabar, Nigeria. Learn more about him

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