5 Creative Networking Event Icebreakers

Even if you consider yourself someone who thrives on social interactions, networking events can be uncomfortable, particularly if you're in an entirely new environment. For introverted or shy people, networking events can feel borderline unbearable. 

But learning how to make networking events work for you is an essential component of any job-seeking strategy, and representing yourself at these events is a skill set that you can sharpen like any other. 

These five new networking event icebreakers can help you learn how to introduce yourself at a networking event and hone your networking skills.

1. Reference the Event You're Attending

One of the easiest ways to start a conversation with someone is by referencing the event you're attending. Although quite a bit of time is devoted to mingling at networking events, there are typically seminars and speeches that people attend as well, and commenting on the event as a whole is a great way to build connections. 

Asking questions about what people enjoy about the event can get a conversation going that you can easily leverage into a professional discussion. Consider the following examples of questions you can ask to get people talking about the event:

• What brought you to this event?
• What are you most looking forward to learning at this event?
• Who was your favorite speaker?

Chances are, the person you're talking to is just as nervous as you and will be relieved that you've begun a conversation. 

2. Compliment Them!

Creating genuine connections with people is difficult, especially at professional events. Don't be afraid to compliment fellow event-goers (so long as the compliment is genuine) as a way to strike up a conversation. 

While your mind may immediately gravitate toward complimenting someone's physical appearance, consider the following ideas for compliments that your professional connections might find more meaningful: 

• Reference something you learned from a speech they gave.
• Compliment an article they wrote or a noteworthy accomplishment of their career.
• Let them know how much you admire the work they're doing.

3. Start With a Question, Not a Statement

One of the best tips for networking events we can offer is to ask others about themselves. Although icebreakers often come in the form of a conversation starter, asking someone a question about themselves allows them to control the conversation and feel like you're interested in what they have to say. 

Furthermore, you can get a feel for their professional experience and interests, which means you'll have an easier time finding common ground and relating your working experiences to theirs.  

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4. Prepare a Quick and Engaging Statement About Yourself

Although it can be tempting to launch into a networking elevator speech by introducing yourself immediately, consider opting for a simple statement that makes the other person want to ask you a follow-up question. 

For example, if you work in the sales department of a solar panel company and someone asks you what you do for a living, you can respond with, "I'm working to mitigate climate change and improve air quality." This open-ended statement will set you apart from other job seekers because you can discuss how passionate you are about your work. 

5. Ask About People's Lives Outside of Work

Engaging in topics outside of work at networking events is one of the easiest ways to form genuine relationships with people. Remember that the ultimate goal of attending networking events is to create connections that will last. 

While there are times when your professional experiences will overlap in a meaningful way with someone else's, having honest conversations with people ensures that they'll remember you and think of you fondly. 

Asking questions about people's pets, kids, and hobbies means that you can find shared passions and life experiences. Maybe someone at the event is a new parent just like you — if that's the case, you'll have plenty to connect on. 

Similarly, if you both adopted a puppy in the last year or love to hike, you can have meaningful conversations about what's going on in your lives and then discuss how your work holistically fits into your life. 

Learn More About Networking

Learning how to network at events is a skill that takes time to perfect, and the more you do it, the better you'll get.

Whether you're looking for creative icebreakers, how to network in a new city, or how to follow up after a networking event, our Job Seeker Resource Center has a dedicated networking section devoted to helping you build your professional network and make the most out of your professional connections.