Networking Etiquette and Small Talk

This unit develops interpersonal and professional networking skills by teaching etiquette, small-talk strategies, and digital follow-up techniques for in-person and online events. Students practice self-awareness, active listening, business courtesies (business cards, thank-you notes, meal etiquette), and communication tools (email, voicemail, social networking) to initiate and sustain professional relationships, building on foundational communication skills and preparing for applied networking projects in the next unit.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze personal communication strengths and areas for growth using self-assessment and apply strategies to adapt behavior in professional networking situations
• Apply digital and telecommunication strategies (email, voicemail, social media, and online communities) to initiate, organize, and follow up on professional contacts with appropriate conventions
• Demonstrate in-person networking etiquette and professional courtesies—including host/guest roles, business card exchange, thank-you notes, business lunch manners, and tactful refusals—in simulated networking events
• Evaluate and employ small-talk and active-listening techniques (curiosity, finding common interests, name-recall strategies, and topic management) to initiate conversations and create opportunities for meaningful connections