Networking in English: introduce yourself and follow up
Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Ana. What brings you here tonight?
“Hello, I think this is the first time we meet. My name is Ana. Why did you come here tonight?”
When: Starting a conversation with someone you don't know
The moment
You are at a tech networking mixer in a SoHo loft, holding a drink and not knowing anyone. Introduce yourself to a stranger, explain your work in real detail, find something you both care about, and set up a concrete next step.
B1 · Unit 1 · Work & study · Checkpoint
This is the unit’s checkpoint: one roleplay that puts the unit’s scenes together.
The lines
Opening with a stranger
At US networking events, it is normal to walk up to someone alone. Keep it light and friendly: "Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Ana." Then ask "What brings you here tonight?" A smile and a handshake help a lot.
Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Ana. What brings you here tonight?
“Hello, I think this is the first time we meet. My name is Ana. Why did you come here tonight?”
When to use it: Starting a conversation with someone you don't know
What you’ll hear back: Hey, nice to meet you! I'm Jordan. A friend dragged me here, honestly. (Hi! My friend made me come, to be honest.)
Setting up a real follow-up
Americans often say "We should grab coffee sometime!" and never do it. To make it real, add a day and an action: "Let's grab coffee next week. I'll shoot you an email tomorrow." A clear day shows you mean it.
Let's grab coffee next week. I'll shoot you an email tomorrow.
“Let's have a coffee next week. I will send you an email tomorrow.”
When to use it: Ending the chat with a concrete next step
What you’ll hear back: Sounds great. Here's my card. (Good idea. Take my business card.)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| No way, me too! | no WAY mee TOO | Wow, that is the same for me! |
You're into rock climbing? No way, me too! Where do you go? You like rock climbing? Wow, I do too! Where do you climb? Tip: "No way" here shows happy surprise, not disagreement. | ||
| What I actually do is… | wuh-dai AK-choo-uh-lee DOO iz | Here is what my job really involves… |
My title is product manager, but what I actually do is talk to users and decide what we build next. My job name is product manager, but really I talk to users and choose what to make next. Tip: Great when your job title sounds vague or confusing. | ||
| Let's connect on LinkedIn | lets kuh-NEKT awn LINKT-in | Let's add each other on the LinkedIn work website. |
It was great talking to you. Let's connect on LinkedIn so we don't lose touch. I liked talking to you. Let's add each other online so we stay in contact. Tip: Normal at US events; many people scan a QR code on their phone. | ||
Your objective
Introduce yourself, explain your work in some detail, find something you have in common, and set a follow-up for a specific day.
- what you do
- something in common
- a follow-up with a day
Lines that get it done
- Let's grab coffee next week. I'll shoot you an email tomorrow.
- Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Ana. What brings you here tonight?
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You walk up to someone standing alone at a networking event. What is the best way to start?
- Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Ana. What brings you here tonight?
- Hello, who are you and what is your job?
- Hi, we didn't meet before. I'm Ana. Why you are here tonight?
- Excuse me, can I sell you something? I'm Ana.
Show the answer
Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Ana. What brings you here tonight?
It is friendly and soft. "What brings you here?" is a natural, open question to start small talk.
2. The stranger says they love hiking, and so do you. What do you say?
- No way, me too!
- No way, me neither!
- No, me too!
- Yes way, me also!
Show the answer
No way, me too!
"No way" shows happy surprise, and "me too" agrees with a positive sentence. "Me neither" is for negative ones.
3. You want to make sure you really meet again. Which ending is most concrete?
- Let's grab coffee next week. I'll shoot you an email tomorrow.
- We should grab coffee sometime!
- Maybe we meet again someday, who knows.
- Let's shoot coffee next week. I'll grab you an email.
Show the answer
Let's grab coffee next week. I'll shoot you an email tomorrow.
A time and a clear action show you mean it. "We should grab coffee sometime" often never happens.