After all, you never know what you might find out. Get it mastered, and there will be no reason to dread being left alone with an unfamiliar person again. Read on for our top tips on mastering small talk at work
Get to grips with the key questions
One of the main qualities of small talk is that the topics are accessible, commonplace and inoffensive. Remember that small talk is a time for building relationships – not arguing, debating or making deeply personal conversation.
Below are some examples of what you could ask:
Basic formalities, such as ‘how are you?’ and introductions ‘we’ve not met, what’s your name?’
The weather or the traffic (although terribly stereotypical) is something almost everyone can comment on. ‘It’s so cloudy today, isn’t it?’ could be the start of a great working relationship.
Work related questions such as ‘how was the commute today?’, ‘how are you finding your workload lately?’ and ‘seems particularly busy today, doesn’t it?’ are all perfect conversation starters.
Arts or entertainment: most people have some artistic interest, so a question like ‘did you see Black Mirror last night?’ can be quite a helpful way to find common ground. Whether it is books, music, television or sport you can make innocuous conversation out of it and find that all-important common ground.
Food or travel: ‘What’s your favourite food?’ and ‘what are you having for lunch?’ can both be tremendously good starters. ‘Did you go on holiday last year?’ or ‘where was your most recent trip?’ are also great for learning more about a person and showing an interest in them, outside of work.
Avoid certain topics
The above are just some examples of how you can start to make small talk and there are plenty many more areas that you could cover. But, the main point to remember is that you’re trying to start a positive relationship.
Talk about impersonal, light and positive topics that the other party should be open to talking about. It’s of paramount importance to avoid topics that are too heavy or personal so avoid the following:
- Personal health issues
- Gossiping
- Topics that are more sensitive, such as religion, race, sex, gender or politics
- Dark or inappropriate jokes
- Problems in your family or personal life
To keep it simple, small talk should be comfortable, polite, positive and harmless. It is a tool for building relationships and making a good impression at the start of a relationship. As long as you apply these rules to a topic, it should be suitable for small talk.
Key work rules
Many of the same rules apply to making small talk at work as in any other environment. However, here it is about demonstrating interest in your co-workers and creating a welcoming, communicative environment.
Be sure to ask some of the questions mentioned above, but there is scope to be more specific than in other situations. So instead of ‘how are you doing?’ ask, ‘how was your morning?’ or ‘how are you finding working on the project?’
This demonstrates an interest in your colleagues and how they’re spending their time, which will ultimately help you to build rapport even faster.
Making the most of job interviews
Most job interviews will start with a little small talk. This is a great opportunity to get settled in, break the ice and relax yourself. Try and find common ground, talk about general inoffensive topics and keep it as a light and brief part of the conversation.
This should help you to beat interview nerves and ease into talking to your potential employer. It’s also great for learning about the employer and the company. For example, if it turns out your employer likes theatre, or running, then you can easily find a basic way to connect with them.
Similarly, asking questions about the company and its culture can be helpful. If you notice something about the location, or hear something about the company, it can be easy to say something positive about it.
For example, if the company has a lot of art on the walls, then it may be a good starting place for a brief but interesting conversation about the décor, which will certainly set you apart from the competition.
Furthermore, if you read about the company taking part in certain activities, it can be a good way to show your enthusiasm and interest. For example:
‘I saw that you guys sponsored the 5k run for the hospice a while back, I love a company that cares for its community – is that something you are planning to do more of in future?#
This demonstrates that you have done your research, tells the employer something about you and opens up further conversation for them to tell you what they are planning to do in the future – all in one question.
In summary
Over all, while it might seem daunting, good small talk and friendliness in the workplace can help to create a relaxed and welcoming work environment. With these tips, and your own research, you should be able to master this vital skill.
If you’re keen to find a new work place that embraces small talk and friendliness, why not register your CV with us and check out our latest opportunities.
About James Thorp: James is a postgraduate at the University of Birmingham. He is studying an MA in Creative Writing and hopes to move onto a career in Higher education or copywriting. In his spare time he curates his own blog, writes poetry, maintains a garden diligently and can be found on LinkedIn.
