As per Harvard Business Review, ( ͠❛ ͜ʖ͠❛ ) 👉 60% of professionals struggle with networking, but for non-native speakers, it’s an even bigger concern!
“I want to build my professional network, but I don’t know how.”
“I don’t want to make mistakes when trying to speak in English.”
A tech professional from China I work with shared this with me
He was attending a major conference with international visitors.
And he’s not alone.
For many non-native English speakers, networking isn’t only about meeting people.
👉 it’s about overcoming
↳ language barriers,
↳ Lack of confidence
↳ The fear of making mistakes.
But here’s the thing: networking isn’t about speaking perfect English.
It’s about starting meaningful conversations.
👉 Here’s how you can do that, step by step:
1. Find common ground
Conversations flow easier when you connect over shared interests.
✅ Research beforehand
↳ The event
↳ The speakers
↳ The attendees
✅ Look for common topics
↳ Specific technologies,
↳ Projects
↳ Challenges in your industry.
✅ A simple opening line:
“I saw your talk on—it was insightful!. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced with [related issue]?”
2. Introduce yourself with confidence
A great introduction sets the tone for the conversation.
✅ Keep it simple and clear:
“Hi, I’m [your name], a [your role] specializing in [your field]. I’d love to hear about your experience in [related topic].”
3. Ask thoughtful questions
Instead of worrying about what to say next, focus on listening and asking good questions.
“I’ve read about your work in [area]. What made you pursue it?”
“What are your thoughts on the latest [technology/trend] updates?”
✅ People love to talk about their experiences—give them the opportunity!
4. Follow up with intention
Networking doesn’t end when the conversation does.
✅ Send a follow-up message on LinkedIn:
“It was great connecting with you at [event]! I’d love to stay in touch and continue our conversation on [topic].”
Again, it’s not about perfect English—it’s genuine engagement.
👉 What’s your biggest challenge when networking? Drop a comment below! 👇