- 14 Questions to Ask at Speed Networking Events - 15 Questions to Ask in an Informational Interview - 10 Questions to Ask at a Networking Event or Information Interview - Sample: Thank Y​ou Email - How to expand your network?

1. NETWORKING
QUESTIONS
MELINDA SZABO

2. 0 2
CONTENTS + INTRODUCTION
Contents
- 14 Questions to Ask at Speed Networking Events
- 15 Questions to Ask in an Informational Interview
- 10 Questions to Ask at a Networking Event or Information Interview
- Sample: Thank You Email
- How to expand your network?
Introduction
I used several articles to make this presentation. On every page you can
find the footnote, from which website or book I took the information.
Melinda Szabó

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14 QUESTIONS TO ASK AT SPEED NETWORKING EVENTS
Melinda Szabó
What's your favorite part of your job?
How did you get into the role / industry
you are in now?
What's your least favorite part of your
job?
What makes a resume stand out to
you?
What do you want to do next?
Is there anyone else in your network
you think I should speak with
What's been your biggest career
struggle and how do you overcome it?
What are your favorite productivity
sites, tools, and apps?
What would you assume I want to do
based on my resume?
I want people to know X, Y, and Z
about me. Do you think my website /
resume / LinkedIn / Twitter makes that
clear?
What's your favorite tip for preparing
for interviews?
Source: http://www.hustlesummit.co/single-post/2016/09/09/21-
Questions-to-Ask-at-Speed-Networking-Events

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14 QUESTIONS TO ASK AT SPEED NETWORKING EVENTS
Melinda Szabó
I checked out your site/LinkedIn/social
media profile, and saw that you (name
specific experience). Can you share
some insights into how you
accomplished that?
Do you have any favorite networking
tips or tricks?
Do you have examples of really good
or really bad cold outreach you've
received for informational interviews?
Do you have any tips for recent grads
just starting out?
Source: http://www.hustlesummit.co/single-post/2016/09/09/21-
Questions-to-Ask-at-Speed-Networking-Events

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15 QUESTIONS TO ASK IN AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
Melinda Szabó
What Work is Like
* Could you describe one of your typical
workdays?
* How many hours do you work in a
typical week?
* How would you describe the corporate?
Source: https://mgt.buffalo.edu/career-resource-
center/students/networking/mentorlink/40-questions-to-ask-in-an-
informational-interview.html
State of the Industry
* Is this field growing enough so that
there's room for someone like me?
* How frequently do layoffs occur? How
does it affect employees' morale?

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15 QUESTIONS TO ASK IN AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
Melinda Szabó
Money and Advancement
* What would be a reasonable salary
range to expect if I entered this field?
What is the long-term potential?
* What is the advancement potential in
the field? What is a typical path?
* How long does it take for managers to
rise to the top?
Skills and Experience
* What qualifications do you seek in a
new hire?
* How do most people enter this
profession?
* What companies or industries do you
think I should target?
Source: https://mgt.buffalo.edu/career-resource-
center/students/networking/mentorlink/40-questions-to-ask-in-an-
informational-interview.html

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15 QUESTIONS TO ASK IN AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
Melinda Szabó
Fitting In
* Considering my background, how well
do you think I would fit in this company
and/or profession?
* Would the work involve any lifestyle
changes, such as frequent travel or late-
night business entertaining?
More Information
* Is there anything else you think I need
to know?
* Who else would you recommend I
speak with? When I call, may I use your
name?
Source: https://mgt.buffalo.edu/career-resource-
center/students/networking/mentorlink/40-questions-to-ask-in-an-
informational-interview.html

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15 QUESTIONS TO ASK IN AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
Melinda Szabó
Remember to express your appreciation and to follow up with a thank
you letter or email. If you are referred to another professional for
assistance, make sure you let the original contact know the result of
your outreach to that new referral.
Source: https://mgt.buffalo.edu/career-resource-
center/students/networking/mentorlink/40-questions-to-ask-in-an-
informational-interview.html

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10 QUESTIONS TO ASK AT A NETWORKING EVENT OR
INFORMATION INTERVIEW
Melinda Szabó
Questions about their career
path/training
* How did you get into this field?
* Are you a member of any professional
orders or associations? Which ones do
you feel are the most important to belong
to?
Questions about their current position
and responsibilities
* What do you enjoy the most about your
job? The least?
* What skills have you found essential for
success in this occupation?
* Could you tell me about one of the main
challenges you face in this position?
Source: http://postdocs.yale.edu/career-development/career-
planning/job-search/questions-ask-networking-event-or-information

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10 QUESTIONS TO ASK AT A NETWORKING EVENT OR
INFORMATION INTERVIEW
Melinda Szabó
Questions about working conditions
* How much autonomy do you have in
terms of what you focus on at work?
* How is your performance evaluated?
Additional questions
* What advice would you have liked to
have heard when you were starting out?
* How would you recommend I “try out”
this line of work (i.e. through a summer
job, internship, volunteering…)?
* What other fields or jobs would you
suggest I research before making a final
decision?
Source: http://postdocs.yale.edu/career-development/career-
planning/job-search/questions-ask-networking-event-or-information

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SAMPLE: THANK YOU EMAIL
Melinda Szabó
Re: Meeting Last Week
Dear Mrs. Newman,
Thank you so much for talking with me last week. I really appreciated you taking
the time out of your busy schedule to tell me about your fascinating and varied
career path and to bring me up to speed on the latest developments in the led field
of Biotechnology.
Source: http://postdocs.yale.edu/career-development/career-
planning/job-search/questions-ask-networking-event-or-information

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SAMPLE: THANK YOU EMAIL
Melinda Szabó
I learned a great deal from our discussion, and it has left more excited than ever
about entering the profession. I also greatly appreciated your referral to your
colleague in a new start up, Mr. Johnson. I spoke with him yesterday and we will be
meeting later this week.
I will be sure to keep in touch and let you know how my career plans develop.
Thank you again for your time, your enthusiasm and your suggestions.
Sincerely,
Linda Green
Source: http://postdocs.yale.edu/career-development/career-
planning/job-search/questions-ask-networking-event-or-information

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HOW TO EXPAND YOUR NETWORK?
Melinda Szabó
* Use LinkedIn
* Attend Events
* Start Local Meetings
* Join Facebook Groups
* Befriend Venture Capitalists
* Look Outside Your Niche
* Ask
Source: https://www.shopify.com/content/111212678-7-easy-ways-to-
expand-your-professional-network

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HOW TO EXPAND YOUR NETWORK?
Melinda Szabó
* Volunteer
* Find a networking wingperson
* Use alumni networks
* Host events
* Just start
* Approach a VC for recommendations
* Become active on Instagram and Pinterest
* Join a business organization
Source: http://www.success.com/article/8-ways-to-expand-your-
network-today

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HOW TO EXPAND YOUR NETWORK?
Melinda Szabó
* Speak
* Participate
* Publish
* Create
* Volunteer
* Write
* Express
* Update
* Telephone
* Socialize
Source: https://www.reachcc.com/reachdotcom.nsf/relatedlinks/E932B
BA1ED014555C1256B5F00491314!OpenDocument

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HOW TO EXPAND YOUR NETWORK?
Melinda Szabó
What is small talk in Denmark?
– what brings you here?
– weather
– TV programs or news
– culture, movies, or books
– headlines in the media
– describe your surroundings
So do not talk about your salary, your big house, your fancy traveling or amazing
future business plans. I find this viewpoint really interesting and still study this
culture.
Source: Simone Lemming Andersen: Networking