Questions to ask at networking events
Networking events, like career fairs, are excellent opportunities to connect with professionals and gain exposure for your job or internship search. Yet, knowing what to say at these events can feel intimidating. You can prepare questions before the event to help you feel confident and maximize the opportunity.
Think about the different aspects of the company or job. Craft questions that demonstrate your knowledge and interest in the role or organization while acquiring insight to help you decide whether you want to pursue their potential career or internship opportunities. Remember to communicate in a way that helps make a connection and build rapport.
Explore the company and culture
When you talk with a professional representing a particular company, like at a career fair, you can ask questions that help you better understand what matters most in the organization, how they treat their employees and how they promote their culture internally and externally.
- What makes you proud to work for this company?
- What is different about how this organization operates compared to other places you have worked?
- How does the organization promote team building and a positive internal culture?
- How does this organization demonstrate its values through its products or services?
Ask about career development
It is valuable to know the possible career paths within an industry or organization. This is especially true when you are searching for your first job or an internship and want to understand whether a position matches your career goals. You can inquire about the opportunities available for new hires and how that person navigated their career.
- Do you think your career path is typical of others in similar positions?
- What are the opportunities for advancement in this field?
- What job search strategies do you recommend for a college student interested in your organization or field?
- Does your organization offer internships or other programs for college students?
- What skills do you feel helped you get your position?
Inquire about the roles within the company
Talking with a professional in a field of interest to you is a great chance to learn about the day-to-day responsibilities of positions. You can ask questions to help you understand the type of work you would perform, which can help you figure out which skills you need to build and how to answer interview questions more insightfully.
- What tasks and responsibilities do you have in a typical day?
- What do you spend most of your time doing at work?
- What are the most challenging problems and decisions you handle?
- How much client contact do you have regularly?
- Does your job require you to travel?
- What is your favorite part of your job?
Find out about the work environment
Even in similar positions, work conditions can differ. Networking events can help you get a behind-the-scenes view of a company or organization. Ask questions that help you discover the details of how the company operates.
- How does this organization welcome new employees, including training and team-building?
- Do you mainly work at the office or remotely?
- How and when do employees provide each other with feedback?
- What is your work-life balance like?
- How do managers motivate employees after successes and failures?
Determine the required education and experience
As a college student, it’s valuable to understand how your education will play into your role with a company or organization. Knowing if you don’t have the educational requirements for a specific position is also helpful.
- How did your education prepare you for your job?
- Would you get a different degree if you could return to college now?
- What classes or programs would you recommend taking to pursue this career path?
- What advice do you wish you had gotten in college?
- Are there specific degree requirements or certifications for this role?
Check out resources available from Career Services to help you prepare for networking events and your job or internship search.