How to make small talk in a job interview, plus 10 topics to keep the conversation moving
Job interviews in most English-speaking countries often begin with casual conversation called "small talk." The small talk portion of the interview is crucial because even if the topics are trivial, the interviewer is evaluating you while you're talking.
Small talk, which usually happens right after the greetings and introductions, is just as important as the actual interview questions, so you should prepare for it.
How to succeed at small talk:
Be polite
Be positive and enthusiastic – don't complain about anything, even something small like the weather
Smile
Listen to the other person (don't interrupt) and show that you're listening by nodding your head, etc.
Keep your answers short but not just one or two words
Make eye contact
No phone – your phone should be on silent and in your pocket or bag.
Do all cultures like small talk?
No, whether people use small talk varies by culture.
This article only applies to American interviews. Most other English-speaking countries, however, like England, Australia, etc., also use small talk in business situations.
Examples of small talk questions and good answers
There are thousands (probably millions) of questions that could be part of the small talk phase. There are so many it makes small talk hard to practice because you never know what you’ll be asked about. But you can focus on the most common topics to start your practice.
Here are some of the most common topics:
Basic greeting
Interviewer: "How are you today?"
You: "I’m fine, thank you. How are you?" or "I'm well, thank you. How are you?" or "Great, thanks, how are you?"
Note: There are many ways to answer these questions. Use one that is grammatically correct and make sure to ask them in return.
Weather
Interviewer: "Isn’t this great weather we’re having?"
You: "Yes, I love spring."
or
Interviewer: "Isn’t this terrible weather we’re having?"
You: "Yes, it won't stop raining. I hope it changes soon."
Note: If the interviewer complains about the weather, you can agree even though you’re being negative.
Weekend/evening plans
Interviewer: "Did you have a nice weekend?"
You: "Yes, it was very relaxing. What about yours?"
or
Interviewer: "Did you see the Red Sox game last night?"
You: "Yeah, I couldn’t believe what happened."
Examples of small talk questions and bad answers
Those were some examples of small talk questions with good answers. Now here are some bad answers with explanations for what makes the answer bad.
Basic greeting
Interviewer: "How are you today?"
You: "I’m pretty nervous actually. I need this job!"
This answer is bad for two reasons. (1) It is negative, and you should always have a positive attitude during an interview. (2) You sound desperate. Of course you need the job, that's why you are there. You don't need to say it.
Directions/Commute
Interviewer: "Did you have any problems finding us?"
You: "To be honest, I got lost when I got off the train. I was afraid I was going to be late."
This answer is bad for two reasons. (1) "To be honest" is a phrase you should never use. It doesn't mean anything and many people hate it. Of course you are being honest, because otherwise you are lying. (2) You should have practiced getting to the office the day before. If you didn't, don't tell them that. It makes you seem lazy and irresponsible.
Weather
Interviewer: Isn’t this great weather we’re having?
You: I can remember this time last year. It was terrible. I thought it would never get warm.
This answer is negative. Even if it is true, try to say something positive instead.
Be able to answer questions
If you're about to go to a job interview in America, or in any other English-speaking country, you should prepare for small talk.
Read this article and make sure you can answer all of the basic small talk questions in it.
Study current events, both in the country and in the city where you're interviewing. You should read the main newspapers - in the US you should read the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal - and also one for whatever city the interview will be in.
Ask questions to keep the conversation moving
Answering questions is part of every interview, but asking them is also important, even during small talk.
If your interviewer leaves a space for you to talk during small talk, and they haven’t asked a question, it's time for you to ask a question.
10 topics you can ask questions about during small talk
*Topics to avoid: politics, religion, money, family
1. Work
How long have you worked at _________?
What do you think of the company?
Have you had a busy week?
2. Location: neighborhood/city/state
Do you live near here?
How long have you lived in _________?
3. Books or articles
Focus on new ones in your industry or ones that are popular now with professionals like you
Did you read the article about __________ this morning?
I read the new biography of Steve Jobs. Have you read it?
4. Sports
Don't ask about soccer (football) since most Americans don't watch it
Keep track of what sports are played during which seasons in America, so you ask questions about the right one
Did you see the Red Sox game last night?
Again, you may not interviewing in America, so make sure you know what sports are popular where you are interviewing. Remember, just because you like a sport does not mean that the interviewer will.
5. Arts and entertainment
Current TV shows or movies are usually safe although they may not watch it or have seen it
Did you see the last episode of Game of Thrones?
6. News
Anything happening in the news can be a good topic but avoid politics.
Have you been watching the Olympics?
7. Travel
Since you are not from the US, you can ask them if they've ever been to your country.
Have you ever been to Argentina?
Are you planning to travel this Christmas? this summer/this Thanksgiving - use this if there is a holiday approaching
8. Tech stuff
New gadgets, like phones, computers, apps, applications, etc. There may be something new that everyone in your industry is using.
Is the company using ________?
9. Random
This can be about anything, as long as it's a general and acceptable topic and appropriate for professionals like you
I see you have a Starbucks downstairs. Do you like their coffee?
10. The weather
It's boring, but if you can't think of anything else, it works.
As you can see, the questions can be about any topic as long as it won't make the other person angry or unhappy.
The main point is to keep the conversation going and keep the mood positive.
It's very common for people to ignore the small talk section of the interview because they think it's not important. But then they don't get the job and they blame their English.
Your English is one factor in this process but it's not the only one.
Making small talk is more of a culture thing than a language thing.
English speakers like small talk so you just have to incorporate that into your practice routine.
For a quick small talk review before your interview:
Look at these questions
Think of other questions you might have to answer
Practice by yourself until you recognize these questions and can give the answers easily
Practice with someone else
This article has been updated for 2023
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