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Networking-Event Opener

Replace "what do you do?" with a question that opens a story, not a dry job title, at networking events.

8 min Intermediate

Goal

Move past the worn-out networking opener to reach deeper conversation faster.

Steps

1

Prepare 3 alternatives to "what do you do?": "What's the best part of your work this month?"

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Expected Outcome

Immediate

You skip the dry job-title layer from minute one.

Evidence base

School: Conversational Science

Founders: Vanessa Van Edwards (2017)

Van Edwards — Captivate: story-questions activate brain reward centers more than fact-questions.

Frequently asked questions

How long does "Networking-Event Opener" take?

This exercise takes about 8 minutes, practiced with another person in a Behavioral format.

When will I notice the effect of "Networking-Event Opener"?

You skip the dry job-title layer from minute one. In the short term: People you meet at the event remember you by a specific detail, not just your title.

Is "Networking-Event Opener" evidence-based?

Yes — it draws on Conversational Science (Vanessa Van Edwards (2017)). Van Edwards — Captivate: story-questions activate brain reward centers more than fact-questions.

Is "Networking-Event Opener" suitable for beginners?

Its difficulty level is: Intermediate. No external tools required — it can be practiced directly inside the app.

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