Networking Role-Play Script

Setup & Teacher Directions

Teacher: "Let’s arrange our chairs so we can face each other and make eye contact. Today, we’ll practice two networking scenarios. I’ll guide you step by step. Ready?"

Scenario 1: Career Fair Booth

Teacher: "Imagine you’re at a career fair. You spot a company exhibiting a project you admire and want to start a conversation."

Teacher: "Step 1 – Plan Your Opener: Take 30 seconds to think about how you’ll introduce yourself and ask a question. You can use a compliment, ask for advice, or mention a shared interest. Go ahead and plan now."

Teacher: "Step 2 – Role-Play (You Networker, I Representative): When I say ‘Begin,’ start your conversation. I’ll respond as the company representative."
Teacher: [Start 1-minute timer]
Teacher: "Begin."

Teacher: "Step 3 – Reflection: Great start! You chose a compliment opener—well done. Then you asked about the project’s origin which showed genuine curiosity."

Teacher: "Question: What part of your introduction felt most comfortable?"

Teacher: "Fantastic. Next time, maintain that friendly tone and hold eye contact throughout. Now let’s switch roles."

Role Switch 1

Teacher: "Now I’ll be the networker, and you’ll be the representative. I’ll open the conversation; please reply as if you represent the company."
Teacher: [Start 1-minute timer]
Teacher: "Begin."

Teacher: "Nicely done! You answered with detailed information about our company’s mission, and you asked a follow-up question about my career path. That builds rapport."

Scenario 2: Alumni Mixer

Teacher: "Scenario 2: You’re at a school alumni event and see someone wearing your school colors. You want to strike up a chat."

Teacher: "Step 1 – Plan Your Opener: Take 30 seconds to decide whether you’ll use a shared-interest opener or a question. Think it through now."

Teacher: "Step 2 – Role-Play (You Networker, I Alumnus): Ready? Start when I say ‘Go.’"
Teacher: [Start 1-minute timer]
Teacher: "Go."

Teacher: "Great job! You started by mentioning our alma mater—that’s an immediate connection. Then you asked about their favorite memory at school, which opened the door for storytelling."

Teacher: "Question: What new information did you learn from their answer?"

Teacher: "Excellent insights. Remember: openers that rely on shared experiences create instant trust."

Final Reflection & Teacher Wrap-Up

Teacher: "You did a fantastic job today. Before we finish, let’s reflect together."

Teacher: "Reflection Prompt 1: What is one strength you noticed in your networking approach?"

Teacher: "Reflection Prompt 2: What is one area you’d like to improve for next time?"

Teacher: "Keep these techniques in mind as we move to our Speed-Connect Simulation. You’re building skills that will serve you in every career conversation. Great work!"

Speed-Connect Simulation

Overview

Practice delivering a concise, 1-minute introduction in varied networking scenarios. Build confidence, clarity, and adaptability.

Instructions

1. Set a 1-minute timer for each round.
2. Read the scenario aloud and deliver your introduction when ready.
3. After each round, note your opener and reflect on strengths and improvements.
4. Rotate through all scenarios.

Rounds

Round 1: Career Fair Booth

You’re at a busy career fair and have one minute to introduce yourself to a company representative.
Your Introduction:






Reflection (What went well? What to improve?):

Round 2: Club Interest Meetup

At a school club meetup, you meet someone from a club you’d like to join.
Your Introduction:






Reflection (What went well? What to improve?):

Round 3: Conference Breakout Session

During a conference coffee break, introduce yourself to a professional in your field.
Your Introduction:






Reflection (What went well? What to improve?):

Round 4: Virtual Networking Event

In a virtual meeting chat, type or speak your intro to a new contact.
Your Introduction:






Reflection (What went well? What to improve?):

Round 5: Volunteer Group Introduction

You join a new volunteer team and meet a fellow volunteer for the first time.
Your Introduction:






Reflection (What went well? What to improve?):

Next Steps

• Identify one introduction you’ll use in a real setting:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Set a goal: Reach out to a new contact this week using your best opener:
  
  
  
  
  
  

Contact Tracker Sheet

Use this sheet to log details of each networking contact you make during practice or real events. Aim to record at least five contacts and plan your follow-up actions.

Contact 1

Name: ____________________________
Organization/Event: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Conversation Notes:






Follow-Up Action: (e.g., send email, connect on LinkedIn)



Scheduled Follow-Up Date: ____________________________

Contact 2

Name: ____________________________
Organization/Event: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Conversation Notes:






Follow-Up Action:



Scheduled Follow-Up Date: ____________________________

Contact 3

Name: ____________________________
Organization/Event: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Conversation Notes:






Follow-Up Action:



Scheduled Follow-Up Date: ____________________________

Contact 4

Name: ____________________________
Organization/Event: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Conversation Notes:






Follow-Up Action:



Scheduled Follow-Up Date: ____________________________

Contact 5

Name: ____________________________
Organization/Event: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Conversation Notes:






Follow-Up Action:



Scheduled Follow-Up Date: ____________________________

Reflection & Goals

1. Which contact will you follow up with first and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. This week, I will reach out to: ____________________________ by ____________________________ (date).