11 ways to start a professional conversation (with examples)

If striking up a conversation with a stranger isn’t something that comes naturally for you, you’re not alone. Starting a conversation can be nerve-racking, especially in a professional setting where first impressions are so important. 

Whether you’re meeting a new colleague, attending an industry event, or networking online, knowing how to kickstart a conversation is a skill that will take you far. Not only is it the first step to building meaningful connections, it can also boost your professional reputation, and ultimately enhance your career. 

In this article, we explore 11 methods to strike up a conversation, share practical examples, and discuss the dos and don’ts of being a great conversationalist.

Why strong conversational skills matter in professional settings

Conversations are the backbone of any professional relationship. When you chat with someone, you establish trust, learn about someone, and reflect your own personality all at once. This sets the stage for mutual support and long-term connection.

Often, a simple conversation can open doors to new opportunities in your career. Let’s say you strike up a casual chat with a senior leader at an industry event, who might share a bit of career-changing advice, connect you to a new role, or even become a mentor of yours. 

Context is always important when starting a conversation with someone you don’t know. If you’re meeting people in person, you’ll need to pay attention to non-verbal cues like body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. If you’re networking online, you’ll rely more on written tone, emojis and the pacing of people’s responses. Adapting your approach will ensure that what you say is well-received.

11 ways to start a professional conversation (with examples)

There are many different professional scenarios where you might need a good conversation starter – here are a few examples.

• When you’re starting a new job: it’s essential to introduce yourself to colleagues and begin building rapport.

• At a work conference or industry event: starting conversations with peers or leaders helps to grow your network.

• When building rapport with new teammates: establishing a good relationship early on will make collaboration easier. 

• Meeting senior leaders in your company or industry: making a strong first impression with decision-makers can level up your career.

• Connecting with industry peers online: reaching out thoughtfully can expand your professional network.

When you don’t know someone well – or at all – it can be hard to start talking to them confidently and without awkwardness. Here are 11 versatile conversation starters that will help you break the ice in different settings.

1. Introduce yourself

Simple is often best. The most straightforward way to start any conversation is to introduce yourself, especially when meeting people for the first time.

Introduce your name and your credentials in a friendly and confident way. You can share some background about yourself to help others get to know you.

Example:  “Hi, I’m James, a software engineer specialising in AI. I recently joined the team after getting into machine learning at my previous company. I’m excited to learn from the incredible work your team is doing.”

2. Bring up current events

Chatting about the latest happenings in your company or industry is a great way to pique anyone’s interest. Bring up a recent company update or an interesting piece of industry news to kickstart the conversation. Make sure it’s a two-way exchange: first, you can share your initial thoughts, then ask about the other person’s opinions. 

Example: “I saw in the company newsletter that we recently partnered with [organisation name] for the recycling initiative. It’s such a great step forward. Have you been involved in similar projects before?”

3. Give a genuine compliment

Who doesn’t like getting a compliment? A compliment is a great way to leave a likeable impression of yourself from the get-go – while giving the other person a confidence boost.

However, it’s important that the compliment is genuine and specific. It’s easy to tell if someone is just buttering you up. It’s also best to focus your compliments on the other person’s work achievements or qualities to keep things professionally appropriate. 

 Example: “Your presentation on cultural trends in data analytics was really insightful – I learnt a lot! Can you recommend any further reading on the topic?”

4. Ask about their interests

Most people love talking about their passions, whether they’re hobbies, projects, or even pets. Asking about these can help you spark a deeper connection, especially if you share the same interests. 

Example: “I noticed a few photos of your dog on your desk – they’re so cute!? I have a spaniel myself. Yours looks to be a whippet, is that right?”

5. Request help

While you might be reluctant to trouble others, asking for help is actually a good way to build rapport. Not only are you signalling your trust and respect for the other person, you’re showing that you’re eager to learn.

It’s best to request help with something simple that won’t take too much time or effort for the other person. For example, you can ask them to review a project you’ve completed and give some quick feedback.

Example: “I’m working on a project about consumer behaviour trends, and I know you’re an expert in this area. Would you mind recommending some resources?”

6. Offer help

Alternatively, offering help can endear you to your colleagues and earn their respect. The most important thing isn’t the kind of help you’re offering – it's the fact that you’re stepping up to help that shows your goodwill and initiative.

Even small gestures can create strong professional bonds. It could be something as simple as grabbing snacks for your team during a coffee run or showing them a quick solution you’ve discovered to simplify their workflow.

Example: “I noticed you’re preparing for the quarterly review. I have a light week this week, so let me know if you need help pulling the reports.”

7. Touch on a relatable experience

When striking up a conversation, it always helps to find common ground. Look for shared experiences that strike an emotional chord and build camaraderie. 

If you’re chatting with a senior leader in your company, for example, you can bring up a recent company event that you both attended. If you’re connecting with an industry acquaintance online, you can talk about the day-to-day struggles dealing with the pre-holiday rush.

Example: “The lunch and learn on workplace innovation we had last week was so interesting – what did you think about it?”

8. Make a positive comment or observation

There may be scenarios where you need to strike up a spontaneous conversation, but you don’t know much about the person and don’t have shared experiences with them. 

In this case, you can point out something interesting in the space around you. For example, talk about the decor of the conference hall or the new snacks in the office pantry. If possible, keep the observation positive to project a positive impression of yourself.

Example: “The decor for the party this year is on point. It’s great that our designers get to show off; they’re so talented. What do you think of the theme?”

9. Be curious about their opinion

If you have a good sense of which topics your conversation partner has strong opinions about, share your views and get them to weigh in.

There are endless possibilities: you could ask their opinion on certain changes in your industry, new tools that your company has implemented, or even the best food to be found near your office. 

Example: “Everyone keeps going on about how AI might change our industry. What’s your view?”

10. Ask about their day

“How’s your day going?” is a simple question, but it’s a great opener and can help you learn more about someone’s mood and daily experiences. If it’s a Monday, you can ask how they spent their weekend and uncover more of their interests.

Example: “How was your long weekend? Did you do anything interesting?”

11. Talk about the weather

When all else fails, the weather is a classic and foolproof way to break the ice. Has it been especially rainy or sunny lately? Talk about how much you’re enjoying the weather or relate a story about your struggles with it.

Example: “This sunny weather has been amazing. Have you had a chance to go out and enjoy it?”

Best practices to start a good conversation

Being a good conversationalist isn’t just about saying the 'right' things, it’s being able to make a genuine connection with someone. Here are some best practices to get the conversation flowing naturally.

Pay attention to context

Adapt your tone and style to suit the setting. For example, it’s best to use more formal language at industry events, but take a more casual approach for chats in the office pantry. If you’re starting a conversation online, you can use exclamation marks and emojis to sound more approachable while staying professional. 

Start small, then build

Every deep connection starts with small talk. Break the ice with light topics like shared experiences or current events in your industry. 

Once you’ve established rapport, you can gradually steer the conversation towards more meaningful subjects, such as their personal opinion. 

Listen actively

Active listening makes the other person feel heard and encourages them to share more. You can practise active listening by staying fully present, striving to understand what they’re saying without making assumptions, and taking cues from their body language. Use non-verbal cues like nodding and smiling to show your interest. 

Keep your body language relaxed

It’s not unusual to feel a bit anxious when starting a conversation with someone you don’t know. If you feel yourself getting tense, remind yourself to relax and breathe.

Display friendly body language by uncrossing your arms and facing your conversation partner fully. Make regular eye contact and smile – these body language cues show you’re relaxed and help to put the other person at ease too.

Stay up to date with current events

A good grasp of general knowledge is key to becoming a great conversationalist. By reading up regularly on industry news and world current affairs, you’ll be prepared to strike up an engaging discussion at any time.

Be intentional

Before starting a professional conversation, it’s useful to be conscious of your goals. Having goals in mind will help you ask the right questions and respond meaningfully. 

If you’re heading into a work conference, your goal might be to connect with industry leaders and pick up career insights. If you’re new to a company, your goal might simply be to fit into the team and become a well-liked employee. 

Know when to end the conversation

Starting a conversation is a skill and so is knowing when to end one. If you’re making small talk with a colleague in the office pantry, for instance, they may have a busy day ahead and want to get back to work quickly.

If you sense that your conversation partner is getting restless, wrap up the conversation politely. You could say: “It’s been great chatting with you. I’ll let you get back to your day, but let’s catch up again soon.”

Examples of conversation starters

Depending on whether you’re starting a conversation face-to-face or online, you’ll need to adapt your approach to the setting. Here are some examples to get the ball rolling:

In-person conversation starters

• What brought you to [event name] today?

• Your presentation on [topic] was fascinating. What sparked your interest in [topic]?

• I heard that your team recently launched a new initiative. How has that been going?

• That was quite an interesting presentation. What's your take on [relevant topic]?

Online conversation starters

• Hi [Name], I saw your post about [topic] and would love to hear more from your perspective. What makes you think that [specific opinion]?

• Hi [Name], I’m new to this industry and I’m curious to learn more about [specific topic]. Could you recommend some resources or courses that have helped you?

• I noticed you recently shared an article on [topic]. What were your biggest takeaways?

• Hi [Name], I really admire your expertise in [field]. I’d love to know your thoughts on [specific trend or challenge].

What to avoid when striking up a conversation

Don’t bring up sensitive or private topics

Steer away from topics that may be divisive, such as religion or politics. Avoid topics that may be intrusive as well, such as asking about someone’s health or marital status. When in doubt, stick to neutral topics that you know are safely within the person’s comfort zone.

Don’t ask yes/no questions

Yes/no questions are a conversation killer – they don’t leave room to draw out interesting or meaningful responses. Open-ended questions are a better bet to get deep conversations going and invite the other person to share insights.

For example, instead of “Did you like the panel discussion?” you can ask “What did you relate to most from the panel discussion?”

Don’t stress too much

It’s normal to feel nervous about jumping into the conversational deep end with a stranger. Try to release any nerves by practising deep breathing and putting yourself into a positive headspace before striking up a conversation.

Remember: most people are happy to build professional connections, so you’re making things easier for them by starting the conversation

Ready to break the ice?

Starting a conversation doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking. Now that you’re armed with these strategies and best practices, you’ll find it easier to connect with your colleagues and industry peers. 

Practice makes perfect – start a conversation in the office, at your next conference, or online, and eventually it’ll become second nature. 

FAQs

Why is it important to know how to start a conversation in a professional setting? 

Starting a conversation in a professional setting is crucial because it helps you establish meaningful connections, build trust and collaborate effectively. It’s an essential skill for networking, which can pave the way to career growth and learning opportunities. 

What are some tips for starting a professional conversation? 

Some tips include staying away from serious topics and actively listening to the other person. Remember to maintain open body language and start with small talk. For instance, if you’re at a conference, you might open with, "What brought you to this session?" and steer the discussion towards shared interests.

How can I break the ice with a colleague I’ve never spoken to? 

To break the ice with a colleague, introduce yourself and your role, then ask about their work or interests to establish rapport. 

You could introduce yourself by saying: "Hi, I’m Alex from the finance team. I’ve heard you’re working on the new project management tool. How’s that going?" This approach is friendly yet professional and helps you learn more about the other person. 

What are some good conversation starters at an industry event or conference? 

Great conversation starters at industry events often involve asking about the person’s interest in the event, their thoughts on a session, or their professional background. 

For example, you can ask "What brought you to this event?" or "I found the keynote on sustainable tech really engaging. What did you think?" These open-ended questions show genuine interest in the other person’s perspective.

How can I start a professional conversation online? 

Break the ice by engaging with the person’s content or reaching out with a personalised message. If you saw their post about a certain topic, for instance, you could reach out to say: "Your post about [topic] really resonated with me. I’d love to hear more about [specific opinion]." 

Mentioning specific details shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in connecting.

What should I avoid when starting a professional conversation? 

Avoid bringing up sensitive or controversial topics, asking yes/no questions, and appearing nervous. Stick to neutral and professional subjects, like shared experiences or industry trends. 

What should I do if the conversation doesn’t seem to flow? 

If the conversation stalls, don’t panic. Pivot to another topic, such as a recent event or their professional interests. For example, "I noticed you mentioned [topic] earlier – could you tell me more about that?"

If all else fails, wrap up gracefully by saying, "It’s been great chatting with you. Let’s catch up again soon." This leaves a positive impression even if your chat was brief.