Six Powerful Questions to Level Up Your Networking
If you’ve ever left a networking event feeling like every conversation blended into the next, you’re not alone. Most people default to the same predictable opener: “So, what do you do?” While it’s a safe starting point, it rarely leads to the kind of meaningful conversations that build lasting professional relationships.
If you want to stand out, make people enjoy talking to you, and stay memorable long after the event, you need to ask questions that spark connection and insight.
Here are six powerful networking questions that go beyond small talk, and why they work.
Most people ask what someone does; few ask how they got there.
This question invites a story, and stories create instant connection. It shows genuine curiosity and helps you understand the person’s motivations, background, and career trajectory.
People love sharing their journey. Hearing someone’s origin story often reveals shared experiences, common challenges, or unexpected twists. This is perfect fuel for a deeper, more memorable conversation.
This question does two things at once:
- It positions you as someone who’s growth-minded.
- It encourages them to offer wisdom, which people enjoy sharing.
The answers can be invaluable, from lessons learned the hard way to insights that help you avoid common pitfalls. It also opens up a natural path to discuss professional development, career decisions, or challenges you’re both facing.
If you need an easy, low-pressure opener, this one always works. It’s friendly, relevant, and invites them to share their experiences without jumping straight into career talk. It’s especially effective at large or first-time events.
This is a similar, but more engaging way to ask: “Working on anything exciting lately?”
Positivity instantly energises a conversation. Instead of talking about job titles or responsibilities, this question gets them talking about their passions, whether that’s a project, a personal milestone, or an opportunity they’re looking forward to.
People remember how you make them feel. By prompting them to talk about something that lights them up, you become someone they’ll enjoy connecting with again.
Talking about challenges helps move the conversation beyond surface-level chatter and invites authenticity. It gives the other person an opportunity to open up, and helps you think about whether you can offer support, advice, or a connection from your network.
This is where networking becomes meaningful. You’re not just swapping business cards, you’re identifying ways to genuinely help.
If you want a more lighter, positive angle, then you could flip the question and ask “What was the highlight of your week?”
This is the ultimate networking power question.
Asking how you can help, without expecting anything in return. This immediately shows that you’re a generous connector, not a transactional one. It builds trust, rapport, and reciprocity in the relationship.
Even if they don’t have an immediate request, they will remember that you offered. And when you consistently help others, opportunities naturally flow back your way.
Networking isn’t about collecting as many contacts as possible; it’s about creating memorable, meaningful connections.
By asking smarter, more thoughtful questions, you’ll stand out from the crowd and build relationships that actually matter.
Next time you’re heading to an event, keep these six questions in your back pocket, they might just transform your conversations.