Conversation starters are tools that help you initiate communication with someone and establish a connection that can deepen with time. They are beneficial in professional settings, particularly in nerve-wracking situations, such as interviews, presentations, or negotiations.
In this article, we will teach you how to start a conversation in an interview, what starters are appropriate for different situations, and how to make sure you leave an excellent impression.
Key Takeaways
Good conversation starters stick to general topics, ask open-ended questions, and maintain a professional tone with an appropriate level of personalisation.
The best professional conversation tips are to mind your body language, learn to read the room, and always keep your purpose in mind.
Avoid controversial topics, closed-ended questions, and overly personal discussions; these have no place in professional settings.
What Makes Good Conversation Starters
Good conversation starters should be neutral, open-ended, and context-appropriate, particularly when used in professional settings. In other words, your goal is to establish a connection, but not offend, pry, or put anyone on the spot.
That said, let’s quickly review some dos and don’ts of professional communication:
Dos And Don’ts of Professional communication
Stick to general topics. Feel free to talk about the weather, hobbies and interests, travelling, or any other safe, non-controversial subjects. However, steer clear of conversations about religion, politics, or personal beliefs; those are far more polarising and not ideal to bring up when you meet someone for the first time.
Don’t ask yes or no questions. This is a golden rule for any small talk, both at work and elsewhere. If you ask a closed-ended question, you risk receiving an answer without any elaboration. That usually shuts the conversation down and puts you in a position where you have to think of a follow-up immediately.
Talk about your job. When in doubt, turn to the career you’re pursuing; this is a treasure trove of potential discussion topics. Inquire about the position, ask the recruiter about their satisfaction, or talk about the projects, teams, and responsibilities. There’s hardly a safer subject than this, as long as you don’t try to gossip or badmouth anyone.
Ultimately, conversation starters aren’t meant to give you a deep insight into the person you’re speaking with. Their purpose is to facilitate your first contact with someone, so treat them as such, and you’ll have no trouble figuring out what’s appropriate.
13 Conversation Starters to Use at Interviews
Conversation starters are an excellent way to break the ice before the interview and learn a bit more about your recruiter and the company you’re applying for.
Conversation starters are an excellent way to break the ice before the interview and learn a bit more about your recruiter and the company you’re applying for.
Typically, hiring managers are the ones using them to warm up the candidates and lead them into the interview, but you can also try them out as an interviewee. In fact, this can help you come across as sociable, friendly, and proactive, giving you an edge over other candidates.
However, you must choose conversation topics for interview small talk carefully. Though light-hearted questions are allowed, remember to keep it professional; prying into your recruiters’ personal lives is out of the question.
Here are some of the best questions to ask in an interview:
Questions To Ask In An Interview
“Do you usually interview for this role?”
“Is this time of the year busy for your team?”
“What inspired you to join this company?”
“How would you describe the team I would be joining?”
“Is it difficult to find good candidates for this position?”
“What do you like least about working here?”
“What’s it like working with your team?”
“If you had to describe company culture in three words, what would you say?”
“What surprised you about working in this company?”
“What would you like me to learn if I joined your team?”
“Are there any fun traditions or rituals your team does together?”
“What’s something you wish more candidates asked you?”
“Can you share some fun facts about this company/team/position?”
15 Conversation Starters for Networking Events
Networking events offer job seekers an opportunity to learn more about the industry they are interested in and establish connections with influential individuals. However, you likely won’t get more than a few minutes to impress them, so your communication skills need to be honed to perfection.
The best way to grab other professionals’ attention and build initial rapport is to start the conversation with a few engaging questions.
If you can’t come up with any good ones, here are a few networking questions you can use:
Networking Questions
“How do you usually describe what you do?”
“What brings you to this event today?”
“I’ve noticed that you work for company X. How do you like it?”
“How did you get started in your field?”
“What kind of projects are you working on right now?”
“What are some of the most exciting changes in your industry, in your opinion?”
“Have you always worked in this field, or did you start your career in another one?”
“If you weren’t working in this industry, what do you think you would be doing?”
“What’s one thing people don’t know about your job?”
“What’s the best thing that happened at your work this week?”
“Can you suggest whom I should talk to next to learn more about [a specific skill/topic]?”
“Has anyone you met today inspired you?”
“What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?”
“Do you have any passions or projects you’re working on in your free time?”
“How do you stay motivated in your role?”
13 Conversation Starters When Starting a New Job
Starting a new job can be incredibly stressful; you’ll feel like the new student in school who needs to leave a great first impression. After all, first impressions are difficult to change, and the way you present yourself on your first day can set the tone for how your colleagues perceive you.
So, it’s a good idea to use icebreakers for work to quickly connect with your colleagues and show that you’re approachable and friendly. Once you make that first move, they’ll be more likely to come to you, show you the ropes, and accept you into their circles.
Here are a few conversation starters to use on your first day at work:
Conversation Starters At A New Job
“What’s been your favourite project to work on here?”
“What do you do on the team?”
“What’s your favourite thing about working here?”
“Do you have any tips for someone who’s just starting?”
“Are there any special rituals for celebrating birthdays and victories around here?”
“What’s the best way to get quick answers when I’m stuck?”
“What projects are you working on right now?”
“How did you get started in this role?”
“Do you have any tricks to help me remember who is who on our team?”
“What’s the most fun team-building activity the company ever organised?”
“Do people hang out during lunch or after work?”
“Are there any inside jokes I should know about?”
“Can you give me any recommendations for lunch or coffee spots?”
8 Conversation Starters for Online Networking and LinkedIn
Conversation starters for online networking and LinkedIn can be challenging to get right, as they must be engaging enough to stand out even in inboxes full of messages. The key, in most cases, is personalisation; research your connections’ profiles and interests to figure out how to capture their interest.
However, you also can’t be too familiar, especially when you’re reaching out to someone for the first time. It’s important to tread the line between friendliness and professionalism if you want to leave a good impression and build a network of connections in your field.
So, here are some excellent LinkedIn conversation openers to help you start a conversation on this platform:
8 Conversation Starters for Online Networking and LinkedIn
Conversation starters for online networking and LinkedIn can be challenging to get right, as they must be engaging enough to stand out even in inboxes full of messages. The key, in most cases, is personalisation; research your connections’ profiles and interests to figure out how to capture their interest.
However, you also can’t be too familiar, especially when you’re reaching out to someone for the first time. It’s important to tread the line between friendliness and professionalism if you want to leave a good impression and build a network of connections in your field.
So, here are some excellent LinkedIn conversation openers to help you start a conversation on this platform:
Online Networking Conversation Starters
“I’ve been following your work on a [specific project or topic] and find it really interesting. Could you tell me more about your experience in this field?”
“I’m looking for ways to transition into your industry. Can you tell me how you started and share some tips?”
“Thank you for connecting with me! Could you tell me what particularly excites you about your work?”
“What’s one of the most rewarding projects you’ve worked on recently?”
“Hi, I’ve noticed you work for company X. I’m thinking of applying, so I’d like to hear a bit about your experience.”
“I saw on your profile that you’d transitioned from one field to another. What influenced that career change, and how did you handle it?”
“I’d like to learn more about [a particular skill or field]. Can you recommend any resources or communities to help me?”
“I’ve recently read your article on [topic]. Could you tell me what influenced that perspective?”
11 Conversation Starters for Virtual Work and Meetings
Conversation starters for virtual work and meetings can be an excellent way to warm up remote teams, which may not be as close and connected as office-based ones. As a result, you need to put in extra work to build rapport and avoid awkward silences when everyone’s microphones are muted.
Here are some icebreakers for virtual meetings to get your team engaged before you shift the conversation to work:
Virtual Work and Meetings Conversation Starters
“Is anyone working from anywhere new today?”
“What’s the most interesting thing that happened in the past week?”
“What non-work-related activities are you looking forward to this week?”
“Has anyone prepared any snacks or drinks for this meeting?”
“What virtual background would you choose for meetings if you could?”
“Do you have any film, book, or show recommendations?”
“How do you usually take a break when working remotely?”
“Has it been difficult to stay focused on your tasks? Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Do you prefer meetings with or without cameras?”
“Does anyone have any remote working hacks to share with the team?”
“Does anyone have a special home office setup they’d like to show the team?”
3 Tips for Initiating Professional Communication
When initiating professional communication, remember to mind your body language, read the room, and keep your purpose in mind.
Below, we will explore the best conversation tips for job seekers in more depth.
#1. Mind Your Body Language
The words you choose when talking to your colleagues, clients, or managers are important, but they must be backed up by appropriate body language. Your demeanour can significantly affect your overall image, so you must be aware of your posture, mannerisms, facial expressions, and tone of voice.
Generally speaking, your goal is to appear friendly, open, and professional: someone who can easily be talked to and also trusted to complete their responsibilities.
Confidence is key here; sit straight, speak clearly, and maintain eye contact. Also, pay attention to your nervous gestures and minimise them as much as possible. The best way to do that is to practise talking in front of a mirror and take notes on your body language.
#2. Learn to Read the Room
Rehearsal is the key to professional communication, but it’s not all there is to it. A big part of your success will come from reading the room; essentially, gauging other people’s moods and adjusting your approach accordingly.
For example, when you’re thinking of approaching someone at a networking event, consider if they seem open to conversation and whether they are talking to someone else. If they appear uninterested or unavailable, it’s better to give them space than suffer through an awkward interaction that doesn’t benefit either of you.
The same applies when you start interacting with someone. Pay attention to their responses and body language; these will signal whether your approach is working or if you need to change it.
#3. Know Your Purpose
When you initiate professional communication with someone, you should have a clear goal in mind. Are you trying to gain a new connection, learn something new, or ask for a favour? You’ll need to adjust your approach depending on what you’re trying to achieve, so think carefully about your objective beforehand.
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Final Thoughts
Now that you know what conversation starters to use in various professional situations, you should find it easier to ace your interviews and leave a great impression on your managers and colleagues. All it takes is a bit of practice to make sure you sound natural; otherwise, you’re all set.
And if you need help creating the perfect application to get you an invitation to an interview, take a look at our CV examples or try our builder. Both can be used for numerous industries, so you’ll have an excellent document in no time.
Conversation Starters FAQ
#1. How to start small talk at an interview?
To start small talk at an interview, you need to be friendly, polite, and open. A simple remark or an open-ended question should suffice; you could ask your recruiter how they are or bring up the weather. Stick to the safe, neutral topics that can ease you into the interview and help you establish that initial connection.
#2. Is small talk good in an interview?
Small talk is good in an interview; it sets a positive tone and humanises both parties. It’s far more unnatural to dive into serious interview questions immediately, and the lack of connection with the interviewer can make you feel more anxious.
#3. What should I avoid when starting a conversation in an interview?
When starting a conversation in an interview, you should avoid overly personal questions and controversial topics. A job interview is not the time to question your recruiters’ values or try to understand their psyche; in fact, this is not something you’ll do in most of your professional relationships.
