Do you feel comfortable when you go to networking events and have to speak English?
Do you run out of ways to start the conversation?
Do you wonder what phrases are a good way to kick off a conversation and what phrases you should avoid?
Today we’ll tell you what to do and what NOT to do when you go to a networking event in English.
It’s hard to know what to talk about at a professional networking event.
In today’s episode we’ll review an article about what to say to start a conversation at an event and we’ll give our own opinions on the article’s suggestions.
What does the article say?
This article mentions how it is not a good idea to ask “what do you do” at work events.
Here is a quote from the article: “Assuming you’re already at a work-related networking event or meeting another person in a work context, the question quickly sets a boundary around the conversation that the other person is now a “work” contact. It’s possible you might discover another commonality and build a multiplex tie, but it’s far less likely to happen in that conversation.
What to say instead of “what do you do?”
The article suggests starting the conversation with a question that is not work related and then bring the conversation back to work.
A good one to try: “Where did you grow up?”
Avoid their suggestion to use, “What excites you right now?”
Some alternatives:
- “What is the best place you have traveled to?”
- Something about the weather or the season in general
- Something about the food, if there is food at the event.
Takeaway:
Don’t be boring at a networking event!
However, be careful when you find lists that provide alternative ways to start the conversation.
Maybe ask a native speaker friend what they think about the phrases on a list like this one before trying them.
Today we have given you a bunch of great options to start conversations in an interesting way.
What questions do you have today?
Let us know in the comments below.
