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Small talk is one of those skills that either you are good at it or you feel very awkward. Being socially adept is something that all working professionals can work on. It’s a skill that you don’t have to be born with because it is something you can improve. You might not be able to walk in and light up the room, but you don’t have to feel anxiety or nervous leading up to the event. You can learn to be good at making small talk and feeling comfortable around new people. Even if you hate small talk now, there are some ways to make it easier.

Believe you can do it…

The hardest part about small talk is getting past the fear of it. Take a deep breath and say to yourself, “I can do this’ before you speak to anyone. When you believe you can do anything, you can pretty much erase any fear you have about approaching other people to make conversation. If you psych yourself out before even taking on the task, then you are going to struggle with anything.

Practice everywhere.

Nearly every place you go there will be an opportunity to make small talk with people. Try it out at the grocery store with the cashier, the waitress at your favorite restaurant and at work with a few colleagues. Just say something interesting and see what others say in return. Practice smiling and being calm. This is especially important if you will be using small talk in an interview.

Ask people questions.

Small talk isn’t about talking at all. In fact, it’s more about listening to others. Most people enjoy talking about themselves, their interests, their lives, and so you can take advantage of this by being a good listener. Ask some people questions that are open ended, such as:

  • Tell me more about you?
  • What’s your favorite part of working here?
  • What did you think about that latest movie?
  • Can you share some ideas with me about [insert topic]?

Follow up with their questions.

Once you have other people talking, use this opportunity to then share something meaningful about you. Listen for common ground with others and relate to what others are saying. Be funny. Be interesting. Show that you are listening to them by asking relevant questions.

Talk about things you are comfortable with.

There are always going to be some topics to steer clear of with small talk. For example, politics, racism, religion and moral topics can often turn into heated arguments. Keep topics light, interesting and fun. Stay away from negative things. If you are uncomfortable talking about something, chances are someone else is too.

By using the above tips you’ll soon be the best small talker in town. Just be yourself, have fun with this, and demonstrate your confidence.

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Learn about the Davis Staffing difference by contacting our great team of recruiters. When you are ready to take the next step in your career, partner with a top staffing agency in Chicago and call Davis!