YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
HOW CAN I SUCCESSFULLY USE SMALL TALK IN A JOB INTERVIEW?
LISA MORRIS DIRECTOR, HAYS
Small talk is best used in those vital seconds or minutes between first meeting your interviewer in the reception area and walking with them to the interview room. Some small chitchat can help you make a good first impression by appearing relaxed and natural. It’s also a great opportunity to demonstrate your interpersonal and verbal communication skills – many interviewers take note of how you act before reaching the interview room, so make sure you get your small talk right.
JUSTIN HINORA EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT, HENDER CONSULTING
Acknowledging a breaking news story or headline that relates to the employer – be it economic, industry or marketrelated – can help to demonstrate that you are attentive to current affairs and understand the impact on the employer or industry. It’s also important to be positive – for example, if it’s raining outside, saying something like, “I hope the farmers get some of this rain”. It will come across much better than, “I’m sick of this rain”.
ANDREW SULLIVAN MANAGING DIRECTOR, SULLIVAN CONSULTING
Small talk can be a great way to break the ice before or at the start of your interview. If you know who you will be meeting, it might be worth doing a little online research to see if you have anything in common with your interviewers. You may find you have a common interest that you can use to establish a more personal connection. However, be careful not to make too much small talk because you want to come across as confident, not nervous.
ALEXANDRA ROSSER HEAD OF ORGANISATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY CONSULTING, STILLWELL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS
It’s likely the interviewer will ask about your day/weekend to break the ice so use that to share your interests and give a sense of your personality. Having done your research, you may have also found a big project in which the organisation has been involved or a charity it supports; make a comment and ask a related question. Avoid topics that tend to attract polarising views.