Networking and Small Talk
Networking is about building professional relationships. Small talk is the bridge that connects strangers to potential collaborators.
Starting a Conversation
Approaching Someone
- Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m [Name].
- Hello! Mind if I join you?
- Excuse me, are you here for the conference too?
- I noticed your name tag says [Company]. I’ve heard great things about your work.
At Events
- So, what brings you to this event?
- Have you been to this conference before?
- How are you finding the event so far?
- That was an interesting presentation, wasn’t it?
Tip: Look for people who are also standing alone or in small groups with open body language. They’re often looking to meet new people too.
Small Talk Topics
Safe Topics
- The event/conference itself
- Industry trends and news
- Travel (“Did you travel far to get here?”)
- The venue/location
- Recent industry developments
- Professional background
Topics to Approach Carefully
- Politics
- Religion
- Personal finances
- Controversial news
- Sensitive company matters
Cultural tip: In many business cultures, asking directly about salary, age, or political views is considered inappropriate.
Common Small Talk Phrases
About Work
- What line of work are you in?
- What do you do at [Company]?
- How long have you been in this industry?
- What got you interested in this field?
- What projects are you working on currently?
About the Event
- What sessions are you most looking forward to?
- Have you seen any good presentations today?
- What’s your main takeaway from today?
- Is this your first time at this event?
General Conversation
- Where are you based?
- Did you travel far to get here?
- How do you know the organizers?
- What a great venue this is!
Keeping the Conversation Going
Showing Interest
- That sounds fascinating. Tell me more.
- Really? How does that work?
- That’s interesting. What happened next?
- I’d love to hear more about that.
Asking Follow-Up Questions
- What do you enjoy most about your work?
- How did you get started in that area?
- What challenges are you facing right now?
- What trends are you seeing in your industry?
Finding Common Ground
- I work in something similar, actually.
- We’ve faced similar challenges at my company.
- I was just reading about that!
- I’ve always been interested in that area.
Talking About Yourself
Brief Self-Introduction
- I work in [field] at [company].
- I’m a [title] specializing in…
- I’ve been in the industry for [X] years.
- My main focus is on…
Explaining Your Work Simply
- Basically, we help companies to…
- In simple terms, we…
- Think of it as…
- Essentially, what we do is…
Tip: Prepare a 30-second “elevator pitch” about what you do. Keep it simple and interesting, not a list of job duties.
Exchanging Contact Information
Asking for Contact Details
- Would you like to exchange business cards?
- Could I get your contact information?
- Do you have a card?
- Would you be on LinkedIn?
- What’s the best way to reach you?
Giving Your Details
- Here’s my card.
- Let me give you my email.
- I’ll connect with you on LinkedIn.
- Feel free to reach out anytime.
Ending a Conversation Gracefully
Excusing Yourself
- It’s been great talking with you. I should circulate a bit.
- I don’t want to monopolize your time. It was lovely meeting you.
- I see someone I need to say hello to. Let’s connect later.
- I’m going to grab another coffee. Hopefully, we can chat again.
Expressing Interest in Future Contact
- Let’s stay in touch.
- I’d love to continue this conversation sometime.
- I’ll send you that article I mentioned.
- Let’s schedule a coffee next week.
Tip: Don’t just disappear. Always close the conversation properly before moving on.
Following Up
After the Event
- It was great meeting you at [event].
- I enjoyed our conversation about…
- Following up on our chat at…
- As promised, here’s the information I mentioned.
Suggesting Next Steps
- Would you be interested in meeting for coffee?
- I’d love to learn more about your work. Are you free next week?
- Let’s schedule a call to discuss…
- I think there might be opportunities for us to collaborate.