“Networking is not about just connecting people.
It's about
connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people
with opportunities.”
Michelle Jennae, American writer
1. Networking Discussion
1. Do you have a large network?
2. Have you ever used a connection when looking for a job? What effect has your network had on
your career?
3. How do you use your network in your job?
4. Where are the best places to go to network?
5. Have you been to any networking events? How were they?
6. What questions would you want to ask to a person you had just met? What would you want
them to know about you?
7. How could you use technology to help build a network?
8. Why do people need to make connections and build networks?
2. Networking Vocabulary
• to hit someone up (verb) – to get in contact with someone, often to ask them for something.
• to mingle (verb) – to mix; to talk to many different people at a social event.
• to strike up a conversation (verb) – to start a conversation with someone.
• to reach out (to someone) (verb) – to make an effort to contact someone.
• icebreaker (noun) – a communication strategy used to relive tension, often when striking up a
conversation with someone.
• social capital (noun) – the positive value of human interaction in a particular context, such as in
society or in a business.
Using the vocabulary words above, complete the following sentences (remember to use the
correct form of the word, e.g. verb conjugation or plural noun)
1. There is no greater than talking about the weather.
2. After having separated seven years ago, my ex-husband to me, but I wasn't
interested in meeting him.
3. I love at social events; I talk to absolutely everyone!
4. If you need a place to stay when you visit London next month, and you can stay
in my spare room. with someone is not to ask what they do for a living, but to ask
5. The best way to
them about their passions.
6. is incredibly important if a company wants to forge great relationships in its
teams.
Networking vocabulary comprehension questions
1. Who would you hit up if you needed help finding a job?
2. Do you like to mingle with new people at business or social events? Why or why not?
3. How would you strike up a conversation with a person you'd never met before?
4. Who would you like to reach out to and why?
5. What are some common icebreakers you can think of?
6. How important is social capital where you work?
3. Video: Networking
You are going to watch a TEDx Talk by David Burkus called “How to Hack Networking”.
Watch the video and after, discuss the following questions
1. Why would networking make us feel dirty?
2. Does networking make you feel awkward? Why or why not?
3. Do you know the network that is already around you? Who are they?
4. Is it better to build a network around new people or people you used to know (dormant ties)?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of both?
5. Who are the most successful people you went to school with?
6. How much influence do you think your friends have had on your life?
4. Networking Conversation Questions
1. Do you know anyone who seems to be connected to everyone?
2. Do you have a business card? If so, who do you give these to? If not, why not?
3. What reasons can you think of to follow up with someone you just met? How would you
maintain contact with them?
4. How do you get people to like you?
5. What are the best ways to make a good first impression?
6. Is it really necessary to have a network to succeed in your career?
7. Is the main reason for networking to find someone to sell something to?
8. Are networking events a waste of time where people just exchange business cards and never
speak to each other again?
