Making conversation at professional events is scary. Making conversation at professional events in a second language can be terrifying!
Here are six great ways to make small talk with colleagues and new work connections at events, meetings and other professional situations.
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Find a Confident Way to Say Hello
There’s a saying in English that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. This means that the way you first introduce yourself is really important! Make eye contact, shake the person’s hand and introduce yourself. If you say hello first, it’s much easier to guide the conversation, too.
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Have Some Phrases Prepared
If you have some opening phrases ready to go, you will feel a lot less nervous. Practise explaining in a few sentences what your job is or what your company does. Ask whether the other person has been to events like this before or what they thought of the last presentation. Comment on the food, or the view from the window – anything you like. Just having an “icebreaker” comment will get the conversation started!
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Keep Up to Date with Your Job Sector
This is very important. If you take an interest in what is happening in your sector, you will be more interesting to other people you meet and will rarely run out of things to say to colleagues and new acquaintances. Read trade magazines and industry news and take note of important details or vocabulary to help you speak fluently and comfortably about what you have learned.
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Ask Plenty of Questions
There are two very good reasons to do this. Firstly, it takes the pressure off you to keep thinking of something to say and stops the conversation from having long silences. More importantly, it shows that you are genuinely interested in the other person’s work or opinion. Most people are happy to talk about themselves if you give them the chance and enjoy having someone really listen to them. In fact, usually the best way to make a good impression and get someone to like and respect you isn’t telling them how great you are, it’s asking them lots of smart questions and showing that you are paying lots of attention to the answers.
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Think About Your Body Language
It’s not just what you say that matters, it’s how you say it, too. Smile, be warm and friendly, but be professional. Make eye contact when you talk to people and turn your body towards them. Try not to mumble and look at the floor, even if you feel nervous. Use your hands to emphasis what you are saying. If your body language is confident and engaging, you will come across well even if you make a few mistakes in your pronunciation or grammar.
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End the Conversation Politely
Don’t just mutter something and walk away. When the conversation comes to a natural end, shake the person’s hand again and say something polite like, “it was great to meet you”, or “it’s been very interesting talking to you”. If it feels appropriate, offer them your business card or contact details. Ending the conversation in a pleasant manner will help to leave a good impression, too!
Do you have a question about business etiquette or making small talk in English? Let us know in the comments section below!
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