Networking Questions for Students to Ask Employers & Alumni

Preparing to Successfully Network

Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development hosts Diversity Roundtable, a networking dinner where students can speak to employers and employee resource groups who have strong DEI values, September 14, 2023 at the Mandela Room in the Union. The was an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about resources that can support them and their unique identities in their transition from college to career.

How to Use This Resource: Networking is a key part of exploring career paths, securing opportunities, and building connections—whether you’re searching for a job, internship, or graduate program, looking for research or fellowship experiences, exploring majors, or learning about study abroad, service, and MORE. Whether you are attending a networking event, participating in an employer trek, engaging in a job or internship fair, or conducting an informational interview, having thoughtful questions prepared can help you make a great impression and gain valuable insights. This resource provides a variety of questions to choose from, categorized by topic. Use it as a guide to help structure your conversations and make the most out of your networking opportunities.

Before You Begin: To make the most of your networking experience, consider the following:

  • Clarify Your Goal: Determine what you want to achieve from the networking interaction (e.g., career exploration, job search insights, industry trends).
  • Assess the Depth of the Connection: Consider whether this is a first-time introduction or someone with whom you have an existing connection.
  • Understand the Context: The nature of the event (e.g., structured networking session vs. casual coffee chat) may impact how you approach the conversation.
  • Manage Your Time Wisely: Some networking sessions are brief, so prioritize the most important questions in case time runs out.
  • Approach with the Right Mindset: Networking is about building relationships, not asking for a job/internship. Focus on learning from the person’s experiences and insights.
  • Do Your Research: Avoid asking questions that can easily be answered by looking at the company’s website, LinkedIn, or other public sources. Show that you’ve prepared and ask thoughtful, deeper questions.
  • Follow Up Thoughtfully: Always thank the person for their time, ask about the best way to stay in touch (LinkedIn, email, etc.), and send a follow-up thank-you message.

Seek Additional Guidance: If you would like support with developing your networking strategy, meet with a career consultant to refine your approach (see instructions below). We are happy to help!

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List of Networking Questions:

Quick Tip – When beginning a networking conversation, start with common ground and the emotional side of the person’s journey. Express appreciation for their time, ask about their favorite projects or career moments, and find connections between their experiences and your own. This helps build rapport and makes the conversation feel more natural before diving into specific career questions.

Career Exploration & Decision-Making:

  • What helped you determine that this was the right career path for you?
  • What advice would you give to a student who is interested in this field but unsure if it’s the right fit?
  • If I want to explore related roles, what entry-level positions would you recommend?
  • Beyond internships, what experiences (student orgs, volunteer work, part-time jobs) do you think would strengthen a student’s application for this field?
  • What most surprised you when you first entered the workforce?

Finding Opportunities & Gaining Experience:

  • What industry-specific job or internship boards do you recommend using?
    • Are there specific platforms your company uses when posting entry-level/internship positions?
  • Are there specific times of year when you typically recruit for full-time or internship roles?
  • What specific certifications, skills, or experiences make candidates stand out in your industry/company?
  • How important is having a directly related major when applying for your positions?

Application Process & Preparation:

  • Are there unique aspects of your application process that I should be aware of? (e.g., one-page resumes, ATS, portfolio requirements, case studies, writing samples, etc.)
  • What are some of the most common mistakes entry-level candidates make in the application process?
  • How important are cover letters in your process, and what in your opinion, makes a strong one?
  • Are there preferred qualifications in your entry-level or internship roles that I should focus on?
  • How important is GPA when you are reviewing applications?

Company Culture & Workplace Fit:

  • How would you describe the work culture at your organization?
  • What qualities or soft skills help candidates succeed at your company?
  • How do you evaluate whether an applicant is a good cultural fit?
  • What is something about working at your company (or in this industry) that surprises new hires?
  • What makes someone really enjoy their experience at your organization or in this industry?

Professional Attire & Workplace Expectations:

  • What is the expected professional attire in your organization or industry?
    • Are there any guidelines for business casual or formal dress codes?
  • What unique benefits or perks does your company offer to employees (e.g., stock options, relocation assistance)?
  • Does your company offer opportunities for remote or hybrid work?
    • How flexible are these options?
  • What initiatives or programs does your company have related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB)?

Professional Development & Networking:

  • Does your company offer professional development opportunities like mentorship programs, networking events, or short-term projects?
  • What are the best ways for students to network with professionals in this industry?
  • Have you seen cold emails be successful in networking?
    • If so, what made them stand out?
  • Are there professional organizations or online communities that you recommend I join?
  • What advice would you give to a student in their first year after graduation to make a difference in their career?

Standing Out as a Candidate:

  • When you think of a standout entry-level candidate, what qualities or experiences come to mind?
  • What are the most common mistakes students make during the interview process?
  • What key questions do candidates tend to get wrong or fail to answer well in interviews?
  • Have there been certain questions that candidates have asked in interviews that really impressed you?
  • What’s something college students often underestimate when preparing for the job market?
  • Are there any misconceptions about working in this industry that I should be aware of?

Internship & Hiring Logistics:

  • Does your company have a structured internship program?
    • If so, what is the typical hiring timeline?
  • How competitive are your internship programs, and what do successful applicants have in common?
  • Do you offer short-term experiences such as externships, project-based work, or virtual job simulations?
  • Do you offer an opportunity to negotiate salary, or is the salary offer typically non-negotiable?
    • If negotiable, what advice would you give for the negotiation process?
  • Would you consider personal projects or class projects as marketable on a resume?
    • For example, if a student interested in data analytics volunteered to track and analyze basketball data for a local school, would this type of experience be valuable?

Recommended Job Boards, Conferences, and Programs:

  • What industry-specific job boards do you recommend for students exploring job opportunities in your field?
  • Are there any conferences that you would recommend I attend to build my network and gain exposure to industry trends?
  • Are there any rotational programs, fellowships, or other unique opportunities that I should be aware of?
  • Are there virtual or hybrid events that have proven valuable for networking and learning about opportunities in your field?

Career Wisdom:

  • What is the best piece of career wisdom you would offer to a college student or recent graduate?
  • What tough-love piece of advice might be hard to hear but is essential for succeeding in this industry post-graduation?
  • If you could go back and tell your college-graduating self one piece of career advice, what would it be?

Organizational Pride & Growth:

  • What do you feel most proud of about your organization, and what is one area of improvement you’re excited to work on?
  • What are some of the goals your organization hopes to achieve in the next 3 years and 10 years?

Creating Personalized Questions Important to You:

  • Using your values is often a great way to develop tailored questions that are significant to you.
  • Check out page 8 in the exploration guide to help you identify your top 10 values. Feel free to then meet with a career consultant if you would like support turning those into interview questions.

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Two people sitting in chairs and talking to each other.

Next Steps:

This resource is designed to help you navigate networking conversations confidently and effectively. Pick the questions that resonate with you, tailor them to your interests, and use them as a guide to make meaningful connections with employers and alumni.

For additional support, meet with a career consultant to:

  • Learn how to find networking contacts
  • Develop a strong outreach strategy
  • Prepare for networking conversations

Appointments can be scheduled on Handshake, and drop-ins are available Monday through Friday from 12:00 to 4:00 PM.

Additional Networking Resources:

  • Networking Foundations:
    • Crafting Your Elevator Pitch – page 24
    • Tips for Networking In-Person – page 25
    • Career Guide: Overview of Informational Interviews (self-made networking events) – page 26 
    • Exploration Guide: Overview of Informational Interviews (self-made networking events) – page 32 
    • Tips for the Job & Internships Fairs – page 27
    • Full Overview of LinkedIn – pages 28-30

  • How to Reach out:
    • Career Guide: Informational Interview Message – page 26
    • Exploration Guide: Informational Interview Message – page 30
    • Networking Outreach Templates – Coming Soon

  • Following Up: Thank You Notes:
    • Career Guide: Creating Thank You Messages – page 31
    • Exploration Guide: Creating Thank You Messages – page 32

This resource was created with the support of ChatGPT