Networking Conversations course
A practical course in which you learn how to strike up and steer networking conversations in a natural way and use your network purposefully for your goals.
NRTO quality mark
Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so feel free to book now.
In brief. Networking Conversations is a 1-day classroom course. You can take it in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven or online, in a group of no more than 8 participants. The price is EUR 625,- excl. VAT per participant, including course materials, lunch on location and a certificate of attendance. For a team or department we also deliver this course in-company.
- Practising with realistic networking situations
- A pitch that suits who you are
- Personal intake interview with the trainer beforehand
- Small group, maximum of eight participants
- Conversation techniques you can apply straight away
Your trainer: Saar, Rob or Joris 934 evaluations in total, with an average of 8,8. View the trainers
You network more often than you think: to get to know people, gather information or make yourself visible. As soon as there is a goal behind it, it becomes daunting. With the right preparation and conversation techniques, it becomes a good deal easier.
Description
During this training day you will discover that networking can be learned. You practise striking up a conversation, steering its content and creating a personal pitch that suits who you are. You gain a grip on the impression you make, your objective and the moments when you can ask for or offer something.
You work in a small group with an experienced trainer. There is plenty of room to practise situations you encounter in your own work, such as a networking drinks event, a conference or a conversation with a potential client. You receive feedback and concrete tools you can apply straight away.
Afterwards, you will know how to build and maintain your network and put it to use for the goals that matter to you, whether that is new work, new clients or a broader orientation within your field.
Topics
- Starting a conversation and developing the nerve to approach someone
- Setting your objective: what do you want to get out of this conversation?
- Your presence and open attitude
- Showing genuine interest: listening, summarising and asking follow-up questions
- Conversation topics and a personal elevator pitch
- Two-way traffic: what can you do for each other?
- Critical moments in the networking conversation
- Networking venues, networking partners and social media such as LinkedIn
- Maintaining and following up your network
Result
After this course you will know the various ways of networking, how to strike up and steer a conversation in a natural way, and how to deliver a pitch that suits you. You will have practised enough to go out into the field yourself, and you will be able to expand and maintain your network and use it purposefully for your goals.
Target audience
This course is suitable for anyone who wants to build and maintain their network. Think of professionals looking for new work, entrepreneurs and account managers who want to expand their client base, and people who want to explore a new sector or industry. Even if you still find networking uncomfortable, you are welcome.
Teaching method
You work in a small group of no more than eight participants under the guidance of an experienced trainer. Before the course there is an intake interview in which you discuss your personal learning objectives. The trainer tailors the programme accordingly. The approach is active: you practise with realistic situations, receive feedback and go home with concrete tools you can apply straight away.
Prior knowledge
No specific prior knowledge is required for this course. An open attitude and a willingness to practise are enough.
Practical information
- Number of days
- 1 day
- Course times
- from 10 am to 5 pm
- Teaching hours
- 6 hours
- Education level
- Suitable for all levels
- Preparation time
- None
- Included
- Course materials and lunch on site
- Certificate
- At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance
- Cancel
- Free up to four weeks before the start (cancellation terms)
Language
The course is given in Dutch as standard. The trainer speaks English. English-language course materials can be used. If at least 3 participants register, the course can also be given entirely in English.
In-company
Would you like to organise this training for a whole group or several groups? This can be cost-effective. For example, we can tailor the content entirely to your organisation, and training a whole group is also cheaper.
Are you looking at large numbers of participants or a complete academy? That involves a great deal. Consider planning and communication, for example, or identifying and agreeing the objectives and content of the training. Or differences in level, feedback mechanisms and safeguarding. Fortunately, Learnit has extensive experience in this field (more than 25 years) and we are happy to help you through this process.
Request a quote More about Networking Conversations in-company
All start dates
1 training day. Confirmed dates first, then in order of date.
- Mon 19 October 2026Certain to go ahead Eindhoven · 10:00–17:00 · trainer Saar Enrol
- Mon 19 October 2026 Online · 10:00–17:00 Enrol
- Tue 2 February 2027 Amsterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 5 January Enrol
- Tue 27 July 2027 Utrecht · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 29 June Enrol
No suitable start date? Send us a date request, and we'll look at the options together.
This course for your team?
Plan your own group on a date that suits you, at your office, at our premises or online. We tailor the content to your day-to-day work, and training a whole group is cheaper than individual bookings.
- Your date and location
- Tailored content
- Multiple groups or an academy are also possible
- More than 25 years' experience
The trainers for this course
Ratings from participants after completing their course, across all courses by this trainer.
What others say about this course
“A good way to learn how to conduct job interviews in the form of STAR interviews. By asking the right questions, you also get a proper picture of how to conduct conversations in the STAR format.”
“The course was well put together and I got a lot out of it. You could clearly tell that the trainer is an expert in this field and beyond. We also covered a number of matters (briefly) that were not directly related to the course itself. I found the intake interview beforehand surprising. I noticed that it allows you to make a good start on the course straight away.”
“A very pleasant, practical training course with plenty of room to practise with our own cases. Saar listened very well, has an open attitude, gave very good feedback and valuable tips that we could put to use straight away. She also created a nice, open atmosphere. Excellent! The use of videos was very valuable too.”
“Despite its short duration, this course answered my question exactly. There was ample room for practice, relevant input and materials from the trainer, and it was delivered in a particularly pleasant atmosphere. A great deal of attention was paid to tailoring it to the participants' wishes, without losing direction. That makes the course itself an example of good conversation techniques/communication.”
"It fitted our practice very well. The trainer really gave us tools to get started with. Tips for the trainer? Don't change a thing! It was the best course in ages. She was engaged and knowledgeable. She had a good feel for the atmosphere. She answered at a detailed level where necessary, but then immediately translated it into the broader lines of thinking."
“A good impression of the course. It is a course with plenty of practical exercises.”
"Enjoyable course and easy to apply in practice!"
“A very worthwhile course given by a trainer with a passion for the subject, expertise and a sense of humour. The lessons were well structured, with clear explanations of the theory, and on the second day the theory was applied to practice, from which you also learn a great deal. The actor – who joins on the second day to apply the theory to practice – is also very friendly and very good. He has a thorough knowledge of the theory, which means you can practise it properly in real-life situations.”
“An instructive day that prompts reflection and improvement.”
“The basic skills of conversation technique. Explained in a compact way. And practised intensively straight away in a small group. You really do get your turn. You take skills away from this course that you can apply immediately.”
“The course material was expertly alternated with practical exercises. The trainer conveys the material to the participants in a professional and enthusiastic way. Because of the small number of participants, everyone had plenty of opportunity to take part. A course I would recommend.”
“An organisation-focused training course in which you can indicate your own wishes in advance.”
"Over the past few months we at FMHaaglanden have been inundated with courses and training. It took me a lot of effort to get motivated again for this course. Once there, I was carried along by the trainers' enthusiasm, which made it an instructive course that flew by as well!"
“Comprehensive course, ample time for all the topics, and the participants' wishes are properly listened to instead of following a standard programme. Also enough breaks in between, so that concentration is maintained.”
“In a short space of time, this webinar provides a few important tools for conversation techniques that can then be used in a great many different situations. It is done clearly and with great expertise.”
"Over the past few months we at FMHaaglanden have been inundated with courses and training. It took me a lot of effort to get motivated again for this course. Once there, I was carried along by the trainers' enthusiasm, which made it an instructive course that flew by as well!"
“This really is a tailor-made course. Beforehand you speak directly with the trainer. That way you get to know the trainer in advance and your goals are discussed. These goals are then addressed during the course. It is an interactive course. The material is built up step by step, so that at the end of the day you go home feeling that you have genuinely learned something. Definitely recommended.”
“Clear course. Nice that the first day was very concrete and the second day went into more depth, so that the technique can be applied in a targeted way.”
“An instructive course. Plenty of tips you can use in practice. It really makes you aware of your own behaviour. It teaches you to give conversations more depth and to genuinely find answers to your questions.”
"There was a relaxed atmosphere, and that makes it all very approachable"
"Excellent, with a good focus on the aim of the course. Because the course was interactive, it was not difficult to stay focused."
“My experience is very positive; the material is presented in a playful way, so you take it in easily. You can then apply it smoothly in your own situation. I have certainly taken good things away from it.”
“A must for an effective competency-based interview!”
“Despite its short duration, this course answered my question exactly. There was ample room for practice, relevant input and materials from the trainer, and it was delivered in a particularly pleasant atmosphere. A great deal of attention was paid to tailoring it to the participants' wishes, without losing direction. That makes the course itself an example of good conversation techniques/communication.”
“Good, clear course in which I learned a lot of things that I can definitely apply in practice!”
“The course is definitely to be recommended. Beforehand you can pass on your learning objectives during a brief telephone conversation with the trainer. All your objectives are then covered. The trainer teaches in a very enjoyable way, with structure but without it feeling imposed in any way. Input from participants is greatly appreciated. Presenting in front of the camera seems daunting at first, but it is very instructive and ultimately great fun too. As well as being very instructive and readily applicable, I also found the days very enjoyable. A shame that it is over. Fortunately I still have my course material with my notes, and the important points are still firmly in my head.”
“I found the 'confrontational conversation skills and delivering bad news' course interesting. There is a theoretical grounding (general communication, communication specifically aimed at the 'roles' you can adopt in communication, the distinction between the questions 'do I have something to ask?' and 'do I have something to say?' when giving feedback, an explanation of the 4G model that you can apply in practice straight away, using INGE and LSD, etc.) and also a large practical element. That keeps the participants active. The role-play actor was experienced and responded well to the participants' input. The trainer is experienced and managed to put us at ease and offer a clear and safe environment, so that we could make good use of the training day to practise common situations from our own work. In the end we spent most of the time on confrontational conversation skills and less on delivering bad news, but we were given a number of useful pointers on that too.”
“A useful training course in which the enthusiastic and knowledgeable trainer combines theory and practice well.”
“During the course there is attention for everyone's personal examples from practice, which means you really get something out of the course.”
“Engaging, very instructive and tailored to our own practical situations. The trainer was very involved and highly knowledgeable.”
“A good course that is tailored well to your learning objectives. The atmosphere is relaxed, and thanks to the small groups you can open up quickly!”
"I found it a worthwhile course. Easy to put into practice."
"It is an instructive course that you can use at work but certainly also in your private life. Everything is explained and practised step by step. You also take home a nice book with even more useful tips and interesting material."
“The content of the course is easy to apply in practice”
“Interesting course: instructive and good trainers.”
“From a general point of view, this course made an excellent link with the specific tasks for which we wanted to take it.”
“This course is widely applicable, both at work and in private life. Do it together with a few colleagues, so that you can practise on one another. It is also a handy way to improve the atmosphere in your team and/or to build understanding for each other. The one condition is that you dare to be open and vulnerable.”
"The Learnit course above all made me aware of the differences between good and less good ways of communicating and how this leads to behavioural change. This has a positive influence on and effect on customer friendliness, service to others and ultimately on overall cooperation and improved relationships."
“I had a private course instead of a two-day course. It was intensive, but incredibly instructive. I notice that filming gives a lot of insight into the way you conduct a conversation. Beforehand I thought it would be a long day, but in the end the time went very quickly. We were able to cover a lot of topics and the variety keeps you sharp. I am very satisfied with the trainer. The personal approach and the link to the previous course in particular were very good.”
“I followed the Conversation Skills course with a great deal of pleasure and enthusiasm. The material on offer was varied and challenging. Alongside the theory, there was plenty of room to practise with situations from my own work. The feedback was helpful. Mieke creates a safe setting, so you feel completely free to make mistakes and share information. Mieke (and actor Arthur) provided us with pleasant and constructive feedback throughout. It was enormously helpful and I am now very much aware of my conversation technique and have plenty of insights to improve it in the period ahead.”
“I took the course on 15 and 29 March 2012 in The Hague. A very good course with a great many exercises. The course material was well and comprehensibly worked out. It was a pleasant course. I learned a lot from it. The location was also very easy to reach. I have already scheduled my next course.”
“This really is a tailor-made course. Beforehand you speak directly with the trainer. That way you get to know the trainer in advance and your goals are discussed. These goals are then addressed during the course. It is an interactive course. The material is built up step by step, so that at the end of the day you go home feeling that you have genuinely learned something. Definitely recommended.”
“An interesting and highly applicable course in the field of communication. A good refresher and made very applicable by the trainer, Job.”
“I thought it was a good session, instructive and at a good pace. Sufficient attention was paid to the topics we had asked about, and time was taken for them. The trainer was also good, calmly explaining the topics we wanted to discuss. Thank you, Marco Schmidt, Reintegration Work Supervisor”
"An enjoyable and practically oriented course, tailored exactly to our needs. Practising conversations was very worthwhile. The pleasant, engaged trainer created a personal atmosphere, so that all participants felt free to take an active part and ask questions. Plenty of tips and tricks were covered that we can apply straight away. In short, an enjoyable and instructive day!"
“The content of the course is easy to apply in practice”
“This course was very instructive. The lines of communication with Learnit are very short, excellent.”
"There was plenty of room to address everyone's personal issues. The trainer gave clear explanations and good examples. He really made me think!"
“Even if you already "know" everything and apply it unconsciously, the inspiration you gain and the chance to practise very consciously in a safe, pleasant setting is a great benefit!”
“Just take this course at some point, always useful.”
Training formats
Classroom
1 day€ 625,-- Pleasant venue with a good trainer
- Small groups
- Inspiring and motivating
In-company
Bespoke trainingOn request- 100% for your group
- Bespoke training
- At your place or ours
Workshop
Up to 4 hours for groupsOn request- Suitable for events
- Interactive and inspiring
- Large groups too
Private training
At our place or yoursOn request- 100% just for you
- Achieve a lot in little time
- Whenever you want
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel free of charge?
Yes. Up to four weeks before the first day of the course you can cancel free of charge, without giving a reason. You then receive a credit note or, if you have already paid, a refund. If you cancel later, you pay part of the course fee: 25% between four and two weeks before the start, 75% in the two weeks before it and 100% in the final week. Moving to another start date is free of charge up to two weeks before the start, after that 50%. Sending a colleague in your place is always possible. Read the cancellation terms.
What will you learn in the Networking Conversations course?
You learn how to strike up a networking conversation in a natural way, how to define your objective, how to create a personal pitch and how to maintain your network. You practise with situations from your own working life, such as networking drinks, conferences and conversations with potential clients.
Who is the Networking Conversations course intended for?
The course is intended for professionals, entrepreneurs, account managers and jobseekers who want to expand and maintain their network. Even if you still find networking daunting, this course is suitable for you.
Do I need any prior knowledge for the Networking Conversations course?
No, you do not need any specific prior knowledge. An open attitude and a willingness to practise are enough to take part.
How large is the group during the course?
The group consists of a maximum of eight participants. This leaves ample time for practice, personal feedback and attention to your own learning questions.
Do I receive a certificate after the Networking Conversations course?
Yes, afterwards you receive a Learnit certificate of participation.
Is there an intake before the course?
Yes, there is an intake before the course. The trainer discusses your personal learning objectives and tailors the programme accordingly, so that the content matches your situation.
How do you learn to start a conversation in a natural way?
During the course you practise openings that suit you. You learn how to approach someone without it feeling forced, how to choose a topic of conversation that fits and how to use the first few minutes to spark mutual interest. Both nerve and preparation play a part in this.
What is an elevator pitch and how do you create one that works?
An elevator pitch is a short introduction in which you say who you are, what you do and what you are looking for or offering. In the course you learn to create a pitch that is personal and flexible, so that you can adapt it to the person you are speaking to. The aim is not to reel off a standard story, but to connect with the other person.
How do you use LinkedIn to maintain your network?
LinkedIn is an important platform for keeping contacts warm, finding new people and remaining visible. During the course you will discuss how to follow up on a conversation, how to write a good connection request and how to engage with others without coming across as pushy.
How do you ask someone in your network for something without it feeling awkward?
It helps to think in terms of two-way traffic: what can you do for the other person, and vice versa? You learn how to ask a question out of genuine interest, at the right moment and with respect for the relationship. By listening first and asking follow-up questions, room is created to ask for or offer something.
How do you keep a network warm after meeting someone?
You maintain a network by staying in touch regularly, even when you do not need anything. In the course you are given tools for following up after a first conversation, for sharing relevant information and for scheduling further contact moments. That way you stay on the radar of the people who matter to you.
How much does the Networking Conversations course cost?
You can find the current price at the top right of this course page, along with the schedule, location and delivery format. For in-company or bespoke courses we are happy to provide a quotation on request.
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Confirmed to run: Mon 19 October 2026 in Eindhoven, can also be attended online
This date already has enough participants. Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so you can secure a place now.