It can be awkward starting a conversation with a stranger or speaking with someone that you don’t know very well. This is the challenge that awaits you at networking events and meetings.

When networking with people at meetings, conferences, association meetings or conventions, learn to ask more interesting open-ended questions to get the conversation going. Rather than the standard What do you do for a living?, why not ask a more creative, open-ended question to get a conversation going and enrich the human exchange?

You will learn more about the other person in a shorter amount of time. You also stand to find more common interests and deeper connections than you would if you only share your job descriptions. You may even learn something new about yourself and have fun in the process.

Download this list of 40 interesting questions to get the conversation going…Guide to Networking Conversation Starters – from Kathy McAfee