Opening a Conversation
Skip the philosophical questions. Start light and situational — these work because they're easy to answer and naturally invite the other person to talk about themselves, which takes the pressure off you.
"Is this your first time at this event?"
Simple, open, and easy to answer.
"What brought you here today?"
Invites the other person to talk about their goals.
"How do you know [host/company]?"
Establishes a shared connection quickly.
Talking About Your Work Without Sounding Rehearsed
Avoid reciting your job title like a script. Native speakers structure this conversationally, not formally. Practice explaining your role in one relaxed sentence.
"I am responsible for the management of client relationships in the software department."
"I mostly work with clients — helping them figure out what they need before our dev team builds it."
Keeping the Conversation Moving
Use follow-up questions that build on what the person just said, rather than switching topics abruptly. This shows genuine interest and keeps the exchange feeling natural rather than like an interview.
"That's interesting — how did you get into that?"
Shows curiosity without changing the subject.
"What's that like day-to-day?"
Invites a personal, relaxed answer.
"Have you noticed that changing recently?"
Adds depth — signals you're genuinely engaged.
Coaching Tip
I advise clients to prepare three follow-up questions, not three impressive speeches. Genuine curiosity takes the pressure off your English and gives you useful details to respond to naturally.
Exiting a Conversation Politely
Many professionals stay stuck in conversations too long because they don't know how to leave gracefully. None of these are rude — they're standard professional etiquette, and native speakers use versions of them constantly.
- "It was really nice talking to you — I'm going to grab a coffee before the next session."
- "I don't want to keep you — but let's connect on LinkedIn."
- "I should say hello to a few more people, but great chatting with you."
Following Up Afterward
If you exchange contact details, send a short LinkedIn message within a day or two: "Great meeting you at [event] — enjoyed hearing about [something specific they said]. Let's stay in touch." Referencing something specific shows you were actually listening, not just collecting contacts.
Networking in a second language gets easier with repetition, not confidence. The more of these patterns you practise, the less mental energy you'll spend translating in your head — and the more you'll actually enjoy the conversation.
Anna Baran
Cambridge CELTA Certified English Coach · Business English Specialist
Last updated: 1 October 2025