Learn to make small talk at a job interview.

1. During the Job Interview: Making
Small Talk

2. Our Agenda
1. Agenda
2. Objectives
3. Introductions
4. Activity 1: Vocabulary review
5. Activity 2: Discussion
6. Activity 3: Dialogue
7. Activity 4: Small talk tips
7. Activity 5: Reading/ Speaking (giving advice)
7. Activity 6: Case studies
7. Activity 7: Dictation

3. Workshop Objectives
1. To learn 8 new words related to making small talk at a
job interview
2. To learn small talk tips for a job interview
3. To learn how to ask for and give advice

4. • What is your name?
• Where are you from?
Introductions

5. Vocabulary Review
Activity 1

6. Activity one: Vocabulary Review
Member of a nationut
under pressure
chemistry
topic
small talk
stay on topic
assess
people skills
talk about unimportant things
comfortablestressed
subject of conversation
do not change topic
evaluate / judge
getting along with another
ability to get along with others
at ease

7. Activity two: Fill-in-the-blank
1. Try not to change the __________________ when talking with the interviewer.
2. I think I had good ___________________ with my new boss.
3. We often _________________ others while speaking with them for the first time.
4. You get along well with others. You have very good _______________________.
5. I get nervous at job interviews. I am not good _____________________________ .
6. We talked about the weather and sports. We just made ______________________ .
7. Once the interview started I felt ______________________. I was no longer nervous.
8. It is important to _________________________ during the interview.
people skills
small talk
at ease stay on topic
topicchemistry
under pressure
assess

8. Group discussion
Activity 2
• Have you ever gone for a job interview?
• What is small talk?

9. Listen to a dialogue.
What points about small talk do you hear?
Activity 3

10. Listen to a dialogue:
Johanna
Johanna
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
Alicia
So, how was the job seminar?
It was wonderful!
What was it all about?
It was all about making small talk at a job interview.
That does sound interesting. What did you learn?
What are people skills?
Besides using small talk to assess your people skills, they will also use
it to break the ice and put you at ease.
For one thing, managers will often use small talk to assess a
candidate’s people skills.
People skills are a person’s ability to get along well with others. This
is so important in today’s workplace.
No kidding! What else did you learn?
Job interviews can be stressful! They always put me under pressure.

11. Listen to a dialogue:
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
Johanna
Alicia
Alicia I hear you.
I once read somewhere that there are some things you should not talk
about at a job interview.
Yes. They covered that at the seminar as well.
So, what kinds of things can I talk about?
So what is off limits?
Anyway, the seminar continues tomorrow. Do you want to go with
me?
Well, things like sports, the weather or where you grew up are
always safe to talk about.
More serious topics such as religion or politics.
Well, that makes sense.
Johanna Sure!

12. Let’s learn 7 tips about small talk at a
job interview!
Activity 4

13. 1. Look interested!
Remember, your future boss may be trying to
assess your people skills!

14. 2. Stick to safe topics
Religion and politics are very interesting topics, but
may not be suitable at a job interview.
Image by Festivio/ 8 images shared underCC0

15. 3. Listen more than you talk
We all like to talk, but leave most of that up to the
interviewer!
Image by public domain pictures / 18043 images shared under CCO

16. 4. Stay on topic!
Follow the lead of the interviewer.

17. 5. Make small talk work for you!
Be confident!
Image by Daniela_oliiver / 10 images Shared under CCO

18. 6.Curb your enthusiasm!

19. 7.Watch your body language!
It speaks even when your mouth is closed.

20. Lets’ read.
• How does Iwona ask for advice?
• How does Natalia give advice?
Activity 5

21. Reading 1. What do you notice?
Iwona: I am worried about what to say in my job
interview. What do you suggest?
Natalia: I think you should relax and let the
interviewer lead the conversation.

22. Reading 2. What do you notice?
Iwona: I am worried about what to say in my job
interview. What’s your advice?
Natalia: Whatever you do, do not discuss religion or
politics.

23. Reading 3. What do you notice?
Iwona: I have a job interview next week and I always
feel tongue tied when speaking to the interviewer. If
you were me, what would you do?
Natalia: If I were you, I would make sure to listen
more than I speak!

24. Now it’s your turn to practise!
• Practise asking for and giving advice.

25. Case studies
Read the studies.
• What is done well?
• What is not so well done?
Activity 6

26. Case Study 1
Sorry I was late. I couldn’t find the place. I am so
bad with directions.

27. Case Study 2
So you are from Toronto. I hear it is a lovely
place!

28. Case Study 3
I always vote for the Party A. I think that Party B and C
are really missing the point when it comes to taxes!

29. Case Study 4
Manager: You are from B.C? The weather there must
be beautiful this time of year.
Candidate: Oh sure, and the Lions are doing fantastic
this year! Do you like football?

30. Case Study 5
Wow! I love the décor in your office! And your
children are so adorable! Are those your children in
that photo on your desk?

31. Dictation
Write what you hear!
Activity 7

32. Dictation 1
Curb your enthusiasm. Don’t get too excited during the
interview.

33. Dictation 2
Always remember to stay on topic. Let the interviewer
lead the conversation.

34. Dictation 3
Watch your body language. You always want to present
yourself as interested and confident.

35. Dictation 4
Listen more than you talk. Let the interviewer do most
of the talking.

36. Dictation 5
The interviewer may use small talk to put you at ease and
to check your people skills.

37. Review: What did you learn
today?
• 8 new words related to job interviews
• 7 tips about how to make small talk at a
job interview
• How to ask for and give advice

38. Thanks for attending.
See you next time!