Networking events are an opportunity to meet and network with peers, company representatives, professionals, potential employers, and recruiters. Each event you attend may be different. Some are more casual and give people time to talk to each other. Others are more structured and include a lecture or presentation. The goal of these events is for people in an industry to expand their network.

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Here, we will show you some networking events that can help you cultivate your contacts and advance your career. Furthermore, you will also find links to some events.

• Career fairs
• Corporate events
• Conferences/Trade fairs
• Industry-specific seminars
• Happy hour meetings
• Virtual groups
• Breakfast or lunch meetings
• Speed networking
• Workshops
• Round table discussions
• Rotation dinners

Preparation for an event is essential and the only way to get the most out of participating.

• Consider in advance which companies you would like to visit, for example, at a career fair.
• Find out more about the companies that interest you before attending the event. With questions like “What exactly does your company do?” you will not make a good impression.
• Prepare your CV to send it out right after a positive encounter.
• Prepare an elevator pitch.
• You should also prepare some good questions to ask. Do not ask about things you can find out about on a company’s website.
• Examples: “What skills and experience are you looking for in young professionals in particular? What are the biggest challenges in your business area? What exactly is your recruiting process?”
• Always make a note of your interviewees’ names and job roles following the interview; this may be beneficial to you later.
• After the event, send a LinkedIn request to the people you have met. Always include a short text concerning the event so that they can remember you.