Networking is a powerful tool for millennials. For example, the other day I left class and I was heading to my next activity. I usually ignore the people who stand by the door trying to sell stuff, but this week they had freebies. Obviously I couldn’t pass the opportunity for some free goodies, so I started talking to the people at the table. Next thing I know, I’m planning to attend an information session for a possible internship next summer.

Had I not stopped at this table and began talking to the recruiters, I never would have found out about the internship possibility. Making small talk with the recruiters was easy–they had their purpose and I had mine. Sometimes, small talk is not that easy. You may feel awkward and pressured to say something intelligent, which might make you clam up.

There’s no need to fear small talk. Networking is a part of every millennial’s professional development and with these tips, you’ll be sure to succeed.

Firstly, shake off the layer of anxiety you carry with you. In a professional environment, there is no need to stress about small talk. Before you attend the conference or meeting in which you will have to chat to succeed, mentally prepare yourself. If breathing exercises calm you down, breathe deep my friends. Prepare some solid talking points that you are willing to discuss–what have you read lately, where have you traveled, and what plans do you have for the next weekend or holiday?

You can practice small talking with your classmates, professors and even distant friends. The more you create casual (and appropriate) conversation, the more you will hone your ability to make natural small talk.

When you’re chatting with a prospective employer at a networking event, you should prepare a few topics beforehand. Whether this be a topic that is specific to your field of work or a general trend in the news, this will make you less nervous when the time comes to small talk. It’s always better to come prepared than freeze up on the spot.

A good way to start off a chat is to start off with a declaration. This helps to avoid an awkward situation if you are unprepared for an unsatisfactory answer. If you start off with a declaration, it stimulates conversation and can help connect you with the person you are speaking with. You can declare something as simple as, “the National Gallery of Art opened up a new exhibit today. I’ve heard it’s supposed to be amazing.” As long as the topic you choose is relatable to the people you will be conversing with, this declaration will function as a conversation stimulant.

Asking conversational questions can help lead you to others for networking purposes. The Week suggests asking the three golden questions at the end of any professional meeting or encounter:

1. How can I help you?
2. What ideas do you have for me?
3. Who else do you know that I should talk to?

Showing your audience you are an active listener is important. If you are talking to a possible future employer, you should show them you are listening and thinking about what they have to say. This will show that you value what he or she has to say and can be a powerful characteristic to showcase.

Next time you’re at a work convention, professional conference, or networking event, use some of these tips to prepare yourself better for small talk. Making small talk efficient and creating a connection with your audience is at the core of networking. These days, networking is the lifeblood of many professionals’ careers, and a valuable skill for any millennial.

Natasha Paulmeno

Natasha Paulmeno is an aspiring PR professional studying at the University of Maryland. She is learning to speak Spanish fluently through travel, music, and school. In her spare time she enjoys Bachata music, playing with her dog, and exploring social media trends. Contact Natasha at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post Small Talk Doesn’t Have to Be Scary appeared first on Law Street.

This edition of Capitalista Careers is a shout out to one of our newest bloggers, Imran Ahmed. Imran killed his interview! Basically, he was the perfect interviewee. Imran successfully did all the things that I incessantly rant about doing, and avoided all the common mistakes.

Let’s take a lesson from him, shall we? Let’s talk about the things that he did right.

1. He dressed to impress. Stay tuned for a post on what appropriate (and inappropriate) interview attire is, but until then here’s your teaser: Imran showed up in a suit. Mandatory? No, probably not. His resume was great and his personality was a good fit for our vibe. But it was a breath of fresh air to see someone who cared enough to put his best foot forward. How you’re dressed says a lot about you. It’s a first impression. It never hurts to always go for business/business casual attire.

2. He showed up early. You know my policy that 15 minutes early is on time. Imran showed up on time in my book.

3. He was prepared. He came with copies of his resume and was prepared to walk us through his accomplishment. Remember the Interview Tips post from a few months back? I talked to recruiter Jack Farrell on his top interview advice — he stressed that your resume should read like a script and that you should be prepared to highlight the important parts when asked.

4. He was well researched. Imran was able to pinpoint specific things he liked on our website. I’ve written about it to tedium before, but far too often applicants don’t take the time to google the company they’re interviewing with. It. Is. So. Simple. It will show if you haven’t looked at the site. There is no way to bullshit that. Anyway, Imran obviously went to the site, did his homework, and came prepared to discuss what he liked about it, and where he saw himself fitting in.

5. He followed up. Following up isn’t just to inquire about the status of the position. He sent thank you emails to everyone he interviewed with. This level of attention to detail just reaffirmed that he will be a great addition to our team and an enjoyable person to work with.

Keep your eyes peeled for Imran’s new blog! He’ll be featured on our site writing about the legal implications of social media.

I’m sure that the rest of the new bloggers interviewed just as well. We’re very fortunate to have such a great group. Stay tuned for more new blogs soon!

xo The Capitalista

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Alexandra Saville (@CapitalistaBlog) is the Media and Writing Specialist at Law Street Media. She has experience in the publishing and marketing worlds and started her own publishing company right out of college. Her blogs, The Capitalista and Capitalista Careers, focus on the young and the entrepreneurial.

Alexandra Saville

Alexandra Saville is the Media and Writing Specialist at Law Street Media. She has experience in the publishing and marketing worlds and started her own publishing company right out of college. Her blogs, The Capitalista and Capitalista Careers, focus on the young and the entrepreneurial.

The post Our Newest Blogger Nailed His Interview appeared first on Law Street.