Practical Networking and Etiquette

This unit develops applied interpersonal and digital networking skills, focusing on polite, purposeful communication across phone, email, web, and in-person events. Students practice small talk, business event etiquette, card exchange, follow-up, and name-recall strategies to strengthen professional relationships and prepare for advanced networking projects in the next unit.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze personal communication strengths and weaknesses and identify at least three specific behaviors to modify to improve professional networking effectiveness
• Apply digital and telephone etiquette by composing a professional networking email, recording a concise voicemail script, and creating a web-based networking outreach message that meet rubric criteria
• Demonstrate in-person networking skills—including small-talk techniques, business card exchange, name-recall strategies, and business meal etiquette—through role-play scenarios scored at proficient or higher
• Evaluate social event roles and produce timely follow-up artifacts by writing a tailored thank-you note and a 48-hour follow-up plan for at least two simulated contacts