Real-world examples of examples of networking etiquette: dos and don'ts

Let’s skip the theory and start with real examples of examples of networking etiquette: dos and don’ts you can picture in your daily life. Imagine two people at a professional meetup.

Person A walks up, introduces themselves, asks a thoughtful question about the other person’s work, listens, and follows up the next day with a short, specific LinkedIn message.

Person B barges into a group, talks nonstop about their job search, shoves a resume into everyone’s hands, and sends a generic mass email afterward: “Dear Sir/Madam, please review my attached CV.”

Same event. Very different impact.

Networking etiquette is the difference between Person A and Person B. The best examples include small, everyday choices: how you introduce yourself, whether you listen more than you talk, how fast you follow up, and whether your requests are reasonable.

Below, we’ll walk through practical, modern examples of networking etiquette: dos and don’ts for in-person, online, and internal (within your company) networking.

In-person networking: examples of dos and don’ts you can copy

Let’s start with the classic: conferences, meetups, and professional events. Here are real examples of how respectful networking looks—and how it goes wrong.

Example of a strong introduction

You’re at an industry event. You see someone standing near the coffee station.

Do: Walk up, make eye contact, smile, and say something like:

“Hi, I’m Jordan. I work in product marketing at a fintech startup in Austin. What brings you to this event?”

This hits several etiquette points:

• You offer your name and a simple context, without your whole life story.
• You ask an easy, open-ended question.
• You give them room to opt in or out of a longer conversation.

Don’t: Walk up and launch into a pitch:

“Hey, I’m Jordan. I’m looking for a job—do you know anyone hiring?”

That’s a real example of networking etiquette gone wrong: you’re asking for a favor before you’ve built any connection.

Example of joining a group conversation

You approach a small group already talking.

Do: Stand slightly outside the circle for a moment, listen, and wait for a natural pause. Then say something like:

“Mind if I join you? I’m Jordan.”

You’re signaling respect for the conversation already happening instead of hijacking it.

Don’t: Physically wedge yourself into the group and interrupt mid-sentence with your own story. That’s one of the best examples of how to make people avoid you at future events.

Example of exchanging contact details politely

The conversation is wrapping up and went well.

Do: Say:

“I’ve really enjoyed this—would you be open to connecting on LinkedIn so we can keep in touch?”

If they agree, connect right there or send a request later that day with a short note.

Don’t: Hand out business cards like you’re dealing playing cards to people you barely spoke to. Networking etiquette in 2024–2025 is about quality, not stuffing your CRM with strangers.

The U.S. Department of Labor highlights that many roles are filled through connections—so these small, respectful behaviors matter more than ever.

Online networking etiquette: examples include LinkedIn, email, and DMs

Most networking now happens online, especially on LinkedIn and through email. Here are clear examples of examples of networking etiquette: dos and don’ts in digital spaces.

Example of a good LinkedIn connection request

Do: Send a short, specific note:

“Hi Alex, I enjoyed your recent post about product roadmaps. I’m a junior PM in Chicago and I’m learning more about B2B SaaS. I’d love to connect and follow your work.”

Why this works:

• You show you actually know who they are.
• You’re not immediately asking for a big favor.
• You’re positioning yourself as a learner, not a taker.

Don’t: Send a blank request or a generic message like:

“Hi, please add me to your network.”

Or worse, follow your request with an instant sales pitch. That’s one of the clearest examples of online networking etiquette violations in 2024.

Example of a respectful cold email

You want to ask for a 20-minute informational conversation.

Do: Write something like:

Subject: Quick question from an early-career data analyst

Hi Dr. Patel,

I’m a data analyst in my second year at a healthcare startup. I found your profile through your talk at the MIT Data & Society event and really appreciated your point about communicating findings to non-technical leaders.

I’m exploring career paths in health data and would love to ask you 3–4 questions about how you got into your current role. If you’re open to it, would a 20-minute chat sometime in the next few weeks work? I’m flexible and happy to work around your schedule.

If your schedule is packed, I completely understand and appreciate your time either way.

Best,
Jordan

This is a textbook example of networking etiquette: clear, respectful, time-bound, and easy to say no to.

Don’t: Send a long, dense email with your entire life story and a vague ask like “I’d love to pick your brain.” That phrase is overused and often signals you haven’t thought through what you want.

For more guidance on professional communication, resources from universities like Harvard’s Office of Career Services offer helpful examples of tone and structure you can adapt.

Example of following up without being pushy

Do: If you haven’t heard back after 7–10 days, a single, polite follow-up works:

“Hi Dr. Patel, just floating this to the top of your inbox in case it got buried. No pressure at all if now isn’t a good time. Thanks again for all you share publicly—it’s been very helpful.”

Then stop. One follow-up is enough.

Don’t: Send repeated messages every couple of days or jump channels (email, then LinkedIn, then Instagram). That’s a real example of how networking etiquette can cross into harassment.

Virtual meetings and events: examples of modern networking etiquette

Remote work isn’t going away, so examples of networking etiquette: dos and don’ts now have to cover Zoom, Teams, and virtual conferences.

Example of showing up well in a virtual event

Do:

• Join a few minutes early to test audio.
• Use your real name and a clear, professional photo.
• Keep your camera on when possible, especially in small breakout rooms.
• Mute when not speaking, but stay engaged.

If you’re in a breakout, you might say:

“Hi, I’m Jordan, based in Austin. I work in product marketing at a fintech startup. I’m here to learn how others are handling launches in tighter markets.”

Don’t: Keep your camera off, multitask obviously, or disappear when it’s your turn to speak. That’s one of the best examples of how to signal, “I don’t care about being here,” which people remember later when you reach out.

Organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) have noted in recent years that professional norms have shifted online, but basics like respect, punctuality, and preparation still matter.

Example of using chat without being awkward

Do: Use the chat to support the speaker and connect lightly:

“Great point about stakeholder alignment, thanks for sharing.”

“If anyone here works in early-stage startups and wants to swap notes later, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.”

Don’t: Hijack the chat to promote your services or drop your Calendly link to everyone. That’s another clear example of networking etiquette violations in modern virtual settings.

Internal networking at work: examples of dos and don’ts with colleagues

Networking isn’t just external. Some of the best examples of smart career networking happen inside your current organization.

Example of meeting someone in another department

Do: Reach out with a short, respectful message:

“Hi Taylor, I’m Jordan from the product marketing team. I’ve been really curious about how your customer success team uses feedback in our roadmap. Would you be open to a 20-minute chat sometime this month? I’d love to understand how we can support your work better.”

This is a strong example of networking etiquette because you’re framing the meeting as mutually beneficial, not just “help my career.”

Don’t: Ask for introductions to their contacts or favors (like referrals) before you’ve built any relationship.

Example of respecting people’s time

Do:

• Show up on time.
• Have 3–4 questions ready.
• Wrap up when you said you would.
• Send a thank-you note afterward with one specific thing you learned.

Don’t: Run over the scheduled time or ask for follow-up after follow-up (“Can you also review my resume? Can you introduce me to your VP? Can you mentor me?”) right away. That’s a real example of how to burn out a potential ally.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management highlights that strong internal relationships are linked to engagement and performance—so this kind of internal networking etiquette isn’t just nice-to-have; it supports your long-term growth.

Follow‑up, gratitude, and giving back: subtle examples of networking etiquette

The best examples of networking etiquette: dos and don’ts often show up after the first conversation.

Example of a thoughtful follow-up

After an informational interview or helpful call:

Do: Send a short note within 24 hours:

“Thank you again for speaking with me today. Your advice about focusing on smaller startups for my next role really resonated. I’ll start by researching Series A–B companies in healthcare tech, as you suggested. I appreciate your time and perspective.”

Later, if their advice pays off, update them:

“Quick update: I took your advice and focused on smaller healthcare startups—I just accepted an offer with one in Denver. Thank you again for pointing me in that direction.”

This is a powerful example of networking etiquette: closing the loop and acknowledging their impact.

Don’t: Ghost. If someone invests time in you, disappearing is one of the worst examples of poor networking etiquette.

Example of giving before you ask

Do: Look for small ways to be helpful:

• Share a relevant article with a short note: “Thought of you when I saw this.”
• Introduce two people who might benefit from knowing each other (with permission).
• Offer feedback, a testimonial, or a public shoutout if you found their content or talk helpful.

This balances the relationship and shows you’re not just there to take.

Don’t: Treat every interaction as a transaction. People can feel when they’re just a stepping stone.

2024–2025 trends: modern examples of networking etiquette you should know

Networking etiquette shifts with technology and culture. Here are a few timely examples of dos and don’ts for 2024–2025:

Do:

• Be transparent if you’re using AI tools to draft outreach, then personalize heavily so it sounds like you.
• Respect boundaries around messaging outside work hours; schedule emails instead of pinging people late at night.
• Use voice notes or short video messages sparingly and only if the person seems open to it.

Don’t:

• Copy-paste AI-generated messages without editing; they’re easy to spot and feel impersonal.
• Add people to newsletters or mailing lists without consent.
• Assume everyone wants to jump on video; some prefer audio or async communication.

Career centers at universities such as University of California, Berkeley note that authenticity and respect are increasingly valued over polished but impersonal outreach. The best examples of networking etiquette in this era balance technology with human connection.

Quick FAQ: examples of networking etiquette questions people actually ask

What are some simple examples of good networking etiquette for beginners?

A beginner-friendly example of networking etiquette is: introduce yourself with your name, role, and a short line about what you’re interested in, then ask the other person a question about their work. Listen more than you talk, and if the conversation goes well, ask if they’d be open to connecting on LinkedIn. Follow up within a day with a short thank-you message that mentions something specific you discussed.

Can you give an example of a bad networking email?

A common bad example of networking etiquette in email looks like this: a long, generic message sent to multiple people at once, no personalization, and a big ask like “Can you refer me to your company?” without any relationship. If your message could be sent to 50 people with no changes, it’s probably a don’t.

How many times is it okay to follow up with someone I’m networking with?

In most professional settings, one polite follow-up after a week is enough. If they still don’t respond, assume they’re busy or not available and move on. Respecting silence is an underrated example of good networking etiquette.

Are virtual coffee chats still worth it in 2024–2025?

Yes. Virtual coffee chats remain one of the best examples of low-pressure networking. They let you connect across cities and time zones without travel. Just keep them short, prepared, and focused on learning—not on immediate favors.

What are examples of networking etiquette: dos and don’ts I should remember from this article?

Some of the best examples to keep in mind: personalize your outreach, ask specific and reasonable questions, respect people’s time, follow up once (not endlessly), say thank you, and look for small ways to give back. On the don’t side: don’t lead with big asks, don’t send generic mass messages, don’t dominate conversations, and don’t disappear after someone helps you.

Networking doesn’t require you to be the loudest person in the room. It asks you to be the most respectful, consistent, and genuine. If you practice these real examples of examples of networking etiquette: dos and don’ts—online, in person, and at work—you’ll build relationships that actually last, instead of quick contacts that go nowhere.