It can be tough to be the new employee trying to break the ice at work. Coworkers can have their own dynamics going and you have to see how you can fit in without causing disruptions. Thankfully, there are several neutral conversation starters that can get you talking at work.
At HiCounselor, we want to help people find rewarding jobs and then have a good time working there. Here are some conversation starters that can get you talking to your coworkers. If you’re still looking for that right role, contact us and one of our friendly experts will gladly help you out!
1. Ask About the Area
If you’re new to the location, one great conversation starter with your coworkers is asking them about the area. Ask them about good places to eat or the closest place to get some gas. Many times, colleagues go out to eat and drink together so they’ll have some knowledge about nearby places. It’s a great way to break the ice at a new job.
2. Ask for Help
As a new employee, many things within the office are going to be new for you. Whether that’s standards and processes, tools and software, acronyms, projects, or hierarchy. A great conversation starter that’s also going to help you get the hang of things is simply asking for help. You can ask your coworkers to explain some of the new things to break the ice.
3. Make Small Talk
Small talk doesn’t necessarily mean talking about the weather. Instead, conversation starters can be about things related to what you’re doing. If you’re getting a cup of coffee, you can talk about your favorite coffee shops and flavors. If you’re waiting for the elevator at the end of the day, you can talk about what plans you or your coworker has for the evening.
4. Discuss Current Events
When doing this, be mindful of steering clear of controversial topics. You don’t want your conversation starter to end up leading to a heated debate. We recommend avoiding politics, religion, latest coworker gossip, etc. You can talk about the latest viral videos, interesting news bits, celebrity stunts, sports, etc. to draw more people into the conversation.
5. Discuss Movies & Series
One way to find some common ground with your new coworkers is to discuss the latest in movies and series. People are usually interested in different perspectives of their favorite shows. Others like to find points of agreement about plotlines and character development. This is a common conversation starter to get people to talk to you.
6. Talk About Industry Developments
This is a conversation starter that shows you’re serious about your chosen profession. Many new employees choose to do this when their boss or supervisor is part of the discussion. Staying up-to-date about the latest developments and being the one to bring in pertinent information will not only be a conversation starter but will earn you big brownie points.
7. Ask About Weekends
Everyone does different things to unwind over the weekends. Asking about the weekend makes for a great conversation starter. It also helps you get to know more about your colleagues’ lives and personalities. So, whether the weekend is looming up ahead or has just gone by, you can use this conversation starter to get you talking at work.
8. Be a ‘Go With’ Person
If you want to become part of the team, you can ask people if they’d like to join you for a walk or a cup of coffee. If you’re headed to get supplies, you can ask if anyone wants anything, thereby saving them a trip. Not only will your colleagues appreciate you for being helpful, it’s also a great way to get people to talk to you in a positive manner.
9. Ask About Work Favorites
If you’ve got a good sense of humor and quick wit, you can ask your colleagues what they like about working here. Each will have a different reply, like free food, location, other colleagues, benefits, etc. You can reply with some good, clean joking or teasing. Or you can commend them for their honest answers. This conversation starter is also good for getting to know the inner workings of the office.
10. Show Interest
While not entirely a conversation starter, it’s a good idea to keep conversations flowing. If a coworker mentions something, you can ask them more questions. This is better when applied to situations where they’re talking about something personal or their emotions. Showing interest in their lives or problems will be appreciated and they’ll want to talk to you more often.
We hope you found this list of conversation starters to get you talking helpful! If you’re still looking for the right job, get in touch with us at HiCounselor and speak to one of our helpful mentors. We’re dedicated to helping people reach their professional potentials and blazing bright career paths!
HiCounselor has forged technical advances to transform the hiring landscape for job seekers and recruiters alike. Our career accelerator program provides job seekers with coaching and mentorship from industry leaders employed at FAANG companies while recruiters ally with HiCounselor to empower their hiring strategy and hone in on the best candidates. Learn more about HiCounselor here and reach out to us on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
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