HOW TO START A CONVERSATION: 3 Techniques that Will Break the Ice

By: Courtney Jeremiah

NETWORKING

WHAT IS NETWORKING?

verb:

The act of making contact and exchanging information with other people, groups and institutions to develop mutually beneficial

relationships.

http://www.yourdictionary.com/networking

NETWORKING

What does a good “networker”

look like?

WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT

1. Ability to work in a team

2. Ability to make decisions and solve

problems

3. Ability to plan, organize and

prioritize work

4. Ability to communicate verbally

with people inside and outside an

organization

5. Ability to obtain and process

information

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)

3 TECHNIQUES THAT WILL

BREAK THE ICE

TECHNIQUE #1:

KNOW THE NEWS

If its newsworthy its

conversation worthy.

Be sure to stay up to date on

current affairs in the city,

nationally or internationally.

Read the paper, internet or

watch the news.

IN THE NEWS: JUNE 2014

Municipal Election Issues

Public Transit

Unemployment

Improving Infrastructure

Emergency Planning

Cycling & Pedestrian

Issues

Traffic

Fiscal Responsibility

Take a minute to write your

Technique #1

TECHNIQUE #2:

KNOW YOUR HOME

Learn interesting or

surprising facts about your

home country or host city

“I’m from Toronto, one of

the top 5 most liveable

cities in the world.”

“I’m from Toronto, the

financial services capital

of Canada.”

TECHNIQUE #2:

WORLD FACTS – DID YOU KNOW?

This country has the greatest linguistic diversity than any

other large country - over 1,000 languages spoken.

INDIA

TECHNIQUE #2:

WORLD FACTS – DID YOU KNOW?

This country fits into just one time zone despite its size.

(Canada has 6)

CHINA

TECHNIQUE #2:

WORLD FACTS – DID YOU KNOW?

The most famous computer game –Tetris – was created by

programmer from this country?

RUSSIA

TECHNIQUE #2:

WORLD FACTS – DID YOU KNOW?

This city is home to the ‘Marilyn Monroe’ towers?

MISSISSAUGA

Take a minute to write your

Technique #2

TECHNIQUE #3:

KNOW HOW TO PITCH

Cue – will occur naturally

“What do you do?”

I’m enrolled in the

Business program at

Centennial College. After

graduation I’d like to work

for a company where I

can help/do/apply…

TECHNIQUE #3:

KNOW HOW TO PITCH

Before you ask for

anything from someone

in your network you

absolutely must build a

relationship.

Ask for advice instead

of introductions

Do your research

Take a minute to write your

Technique #3

Technique #1: Know the News

Technique #2: Know your Home

Technique #3: Know How to Pitch

3 TECHNIQUES THAT WILL

BREAK THE ICE

BECOME A BETTER CONVERSATIONALIST

Speak English with friends

Watch the news

Watch English language DVDs

Listen to English radio

Use the internet to find resources – e.g. YouTube

Look up new a word in dictionary everyday

Join Toastmasters

Attend Alumni Events

Closed mouths don’t get fed.

- Anonymous

THANK YOU