Holiday season is filled with great opportunities to network at social gatherings, so make the most of the opportunity.
Have a nice introduction for yourself and then actually listen to the person in front of you. People appreciate listening—especially if you are selling yourself as an attorney. Use your client interviewing skills to get to know the person by asking open-ended questions.
On the other hand, if you find yourself listening for ten minutes without a peep—you need to get out. Simply running for the exit is a last ditch option. Maybe you need to grab some food, or call your spouse. Whatever it is, try and be graceful about your exit.
If you are talking the entire time, watch out for wandering eyes. If the person you are talking to is not making eye-contact, or is checking their phone incessantly, you need to move on.
Keep the conversation fairly vanilla, differing political or religious views can transform a great conversation into an awkward experience. The subjects are not off-limits, but be careful what you say.
Score With Small Talk At the Holiday Office Party | Web Worker Daily
(photo: CarbonNYC)
Randall Ryder practices consumer rights law in Minnesota and is a publisher of Elder Parent Help. Follow him @randallryder.
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