Networking is an essential skill for building professional relationships and expanding opportunities, but it requires a thoughtful approach. From introducing yourself confidently to listening actively, good networking etiquette leaves a positive impression and builds trust. Mastering the art of exchanging business cards, following up, and respecting boundaries can make the difference between a lasting connection and a missed opportunity.
Are you a networking pro, or do you need a refresher on building connections with finesse? Take this quiz to evaluate your networking etiquette and learn how to leave a lasting, professional impression.
1) When attending a networking event, what’s the best way to initiate a conversation with someone new?
A) Start with a generic pitch about yourself
B) Ask an open-ended question about the event or their interests
C) Interrupt their current conversation with someone else
D) Wait for them to approach you first
2) A colleague introduces you to someone important, but you’ve already forgotten their name. What should you do?
A) Guess their name confidently to avoid awkwardness
B) Avoid using their name altogether in conversation
C) Politely ask them to repeat their name, admitting you forgot
D) Wait for someone else to mention their name
3) When is the most appropriate time to exchange business cards?
A) At the very start of a conversation
B) When the conversation naturally comes to a close
C) Hand them out to everyone in the room indiscriminately
D) Only if someone explicitly asks for one
4) During a networking event, what’s the best way to balance talking and listening?
A) Focus entirely on listening to avoid dominating the conversation
B) Speak for as long as you feel like; networking is about selling yourself
C) Aim for a balanced exchange of dialogue and actively show interest in their responses
D) Wait silently for the other person to run out of things to say
5) If you are in a group conversation and someone interrupts you, what is the best way to handle the situation?
A) Interrupt them back to continue your point
B) Politely wait for a chance to resume your point
C) Leave the group to find a more respectful audience
D) Call them out for being rude
6) How should you follow up with a new connection after meeting them at a networking event?
A) Send a quick, personalised message thanking them and referencing your conversation
B) Add them on all social media platforms immediately
C) Wait a month or two before contacting them to avoid seeming overeager
D) Call them directly to set up a meeting
7) You’re nervous at a networking event and don’t know anyone. What should you do?
A) Find a quiet corner and wait for someone to notice you
B) Look for someone standing alone and introduce yourself
C) Leave early if you feel uncomfortable
D) Interrupt a group conversation to try and join in
8) During a conversation, your phone rings. What’s the best way to handle it?
A) Excuse yourself briefly to take the call
B) Ignore it but keep glancing at the screen
C) Apologise and silence the phone without taking the call
D) Answer it quickly and promise to return to the conversation
9) How can you gracefully exit a conversation at a networking event?
A) Say, “I need to go talk to someone more important now”
B) Wait for an awkward silence and walk away
C) Thank the person for their time and politely excuse yourself to meet others
D) Pretend you got an urgent text message
10) What’s the most professional way to introduce yourself to a high-level executive?
A) Launch into a lengthy description of your achievements
B) State your name, title, and why you’re interested in speaking with them
C) Say, “I’ve always wanted to meet you!” and leave it at that
D) Hand them your business card without introducing yourself
11) If someone starts dominating the conversation, what’s the best way to refocus it?
A) Interrupt them and steer the conversation in a new direction
B) Politely redirect the conversation with a relevant question
C) Wait until they stop talking and move on to another person
D) Let them continue to avoid seeming rude
12) What should you avoid saying when meeting someone for the first time at a networking event?
A) “What do you do for a living?”
B) “What can you do for me?”
C) “How did you find this event?”
D) “What brought you here today?”
13) You meet someone at a networking event who works in an unrelated field. What should you do?
A) End the conversation politely and look for someone more relevant
B) Maintain interest and explore opportunities for collaboration
C) Exchange business cards but don’t follow up later
D) Suggest they introduce you to someone in their network
14) If you’re attending a virtual networking event, what’s one of the most important steps to prepare?
A) Plan a strong opening line and ensure your tech is working properly
B) Keep your camera off to avoid distractions
C) Avoid using chat features; focus only on listening
D) Skip the event if it feels awkward
15) When connecting with someone on LinkedIn after an event, what’s the best approach?
A) Send a generic connection request with no message
B) Personalise the message and reference your previous conversation
C) Wait several weeks before adding them
D) Add them without a message and immediately pitch your services
16) You notice someone at an event is standing by themselves and looking uncomfortable. What should you do?
A) Approach them and start a conversation
B) Leave them alone; they might prefer solitude
C) Introduce them to someone else so you don’t have to engage
D) Use the opportunity to network with others instead
17) A guest speaker at the event gave an excellent talk. How should you approach them afterward?
A) Compliment their talk, introduce yourself, and ask one thoughtful question
B) Hand them your business card without saying anything
C) Say, “Great talk,” and walk away
D) Skip the opportunity; they’re probably too busy
18) At a networking dinner, how should you approach eating and talking?
A) Focus on eating first, then talk afterward
B) Talk while chewing to keep the conversation flowing
C) Balance eating and talking naturally, pausing to listen when necessary
D) Avoid eating to focus solely on conversations
19) You’re at a networking event, and someone keeps talking about themselves without asking about you. What should you do?
A) Ask them a question to steer the conversation toward mutual interests
B) Let them talk and plan to leave the conversation soon
C) Interrupt and start talking about yourself
D) Excuse yourself immediately without saying why
20) After a networking event, what’s the best way to maintain your connections long-term?
A) Only reach out when you need something from them
B) Regularly engage with their updates and check in periodically
C) Invite them to meet up every month without fail
D) Send them promotional emails about your services
21) Someone at an event makes a joke you find offensive. How do you respond?
A) Laugh it off to avoid confrontation
B) Call them out angrily in front of others
C) Politely say, “I don’t think that’s appropriate” and change the subject
D) Walk away without saying anything
22) If you accidentally spill coffee on someone at a networking event, what should you do?
A) Laugh nervously and apologise without offering to help
B) Apologise immediately and offer to help them clean up
C) Quickly disappear to avoid embarrassment
D) Ignore it; accidents happen
23) What’s a safe topic for small talk at a networking event?
A) Politics
B) Sports events or hobbies
C) Company gossip
D) Controversial current events
24) You accidentally approach someone who isn’t part of the event. How do you handle this?
A) Laugh it off and leave
B) Apologise and politely explain the mistake
C) Ignore the situation and continue talking
D) Ask them if they’re interested in joining the event
25) If someone begins to dominate the conversation with negative complaints, what’s the best way to shift the tone?
A) Politely change the topic to something more positive
B) Agree with them to keep the peace
C) Exit the conversation immediately
D) Challenge them directly
26) During an event, you’re asked a question about a topic you don’t know much about. How do you respond?
A) Pretend to know and give vague answers
B) Admit you’re not familiar with it and express interest in learning more
C) Avoid answering the question
D) Change the subject
27) You notice two people arguing at an event. What’s the best way to handle this?
A) Step in to mediate the argument
B) Ignore the situation entirely
C) Interrupt and ask to join the conversation
D) Inform event staff discreetly if it escalates
28) Someone keeps looking at their phone while you’re talking. What’s the best response?
A) Stop talking and walk away
B) Ask if they need to take care of something urgent
C) Continue speaking as though it’s not happening
D) Comment directly on their behaviour
29) You meet someone at an event who monopolises your time. How can you politely disengage?
A) Tell them you need to use the restroom
B) Introduce them to someone else and excuse yourself
C) Check your phone and pretend you’re busy
D) Walk away without saying anything
30) A connection you made at an event contacts you later with a job offer, but you’re not interested. How do you respond?
A) Ignore their message
B) Politely thank them and explain why you’re not interested
C) Accept the offer to maintain goodwill, even if you don’t want it
D) Decline abruptly without giving an explanation
Correct Answers:
- B - Ask an open-ended question about the event or their interests.
- C - Politely ask them to repeat their name, admitting you forgot.
- B - When the conversation naturally comes to a close.
- C - Aim for a balanced exchange of dialogue and actively show interest in their responses.
- B - Politely wait for a chance to resume your point.
- A - Send a quick, personalised message thanking them and referencing your conversation.
- B - Look for someone standing alone and introduce yourself.
- C - Apologise and silence the phone without taking the call.
- C - Thank the person for their time and politely excuse yourself to meet others.
- B - State your name, title, and why you’re interested in speaking with them.
- B - Politely redirect the conversation with a relevant question.
- B - “What can you do for me?”
- B - Maintain interest and explore opportunities for collaboration.
- A - Plan a strong opening line and ensure your tech is working properly.
- B - Personalise the message and reference your previous conversation.
- A - Approach them and start a conversation.
- A - Compliment their talk, introduce yourself, and ask one thoughtful question.
- C - Balance eating and talking naturally, pausing to listen when necessary.
- A - Ask them a question to steer the conversation toward mutual interests.
- B - Regularly engage with their updates and check in periodically.
- C - Politely say, “I don’t think that’s appropriate” and change the subject.
- B - Apologise immediately and offer to help them clean up.
- B - Sports events or hobbies.
- B - Apologise and politely explain the mistake.
- A - Politely change the topic to something more positive.
- B - Admit you’re not familiar with it and express interest in learning more.
- D - Inform event staff discreetly if it escalates.
- B - Ask if they need to take care of something urgent.
- B - Introduce them to someone else and excuse yourself.
- B - Politely thank them and explain why you’re not interested.
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