Networking Part 2: Small Talk 101

We all engage in small talk with friends and colleagues, but it seems more difficult with strangers. What do you talk about with someone you’ve just met? First, it’s important to stay up to date on current events locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. In particular, know what’s going on in the business world and the sports world.{{more}}

Say you are at an event and you’ve spotted someone you want to meet. What do you do?

Introduce yourself. “Hi, Jeff, I’m Suzanne Smith from Workplace Success Group. What company are you with?”

“Hi, Suzanne. It’s nice to meet you. I’m a customer service representative for Johnson and Smith, an investment firm.”

Not everyone needs a conversation starter. Some people can introduce themselves, exchange some small talk, and land an appointment by the end of the conversation.

Those who can use a little warm-up should try one of the following:

Good conversation topics. Jump start a conversation with topics like the weather, ask the person where he is from, comment on the event, the food, talk about the presenter or information you just learned, ask the person about his profession and how he got started in the field, and offer sincere compliments.

Conversation Topics to Avoid. Politics, religion, age, offensive jokes, gossip, health problems, dislikes about your boss, family, your pet and personal information.

Now that you know what to talk about consider the following:

Entering a conversation. Look for the people who are not talking to anyone and introduce yourself. If you want to enter an existing conversation, stand close to the group and smile; someone will usually invite you to join. If you’ve waited and no one has acknowledged your presence, it is probably a private conversation. Don’t take this personally; just move on. You’ll also sense the conversation is private if the parties involved seem engrossed in their conversation; look before approaching. If you want to talk to someone who is in the middle of a conversation, catch his or her eye, smile, and let the person see that you are waiting.

Networking should be easy if you think of it as getting to know people so you can help them and they can help you. Happy Networking!

Excerpt from the book Networking for a Better Position and More Profit by Karen Hinds

Karen Hinds is “The Workplace Success Expert.” For a FREE SPECIAL REPORT on Avoiding Career Killers in the Workplace, send an email to info@workplacesuccess.com

Visit online at www.workplacesuccess.com