Do you have any advice for those of us who aren't good at small talk? Recruitment is always a struggle for me because even when I have interesting questions I'm simply bad at talking about surface-level topics.
First of all, once you ask a question, and the conversation gets going, it doesn’t have to be surface only like “What’s your major?” The whole idea is to hit upon something that interests both people and for the talk to start flowing more deeply. You might want to review your questions for PNMs and get more creative in what you talk about. If you are not interested in what your discussing, it will be slow and painful.
The VERY BEST tip for making small talk with strangers is to totally focus on THEM. Ask them about their hometown, interests, favorite memories and use creative ice breakers to get them talking about themselves. When they reveal something you also like, take the ball and run with it! Really listening and engaging is vital.
For example, you can’t zone out while a PNM is chatting about her trip to Ireland over the summer. Instead, you relate her story to the summer you studied at Oxford and also visited Ireland. Soon you are talking easily about the food, the weather and the amazing castles in Great Britain. That might lead to even more conversation about her competitive Irish dancing experience which relates to your many years of ballet dancing. The conversation builds and winds around your mutual areas of interest.
Recruitment Conversation Structure:
But even if you don’t hit on anything in common, you can still be an interested and inquisitive “detective.” Think of each girl as having several fascinating secrets and you are there to uncover them. Be passionately inquisitive. You will learn so much and be genuinely entertained. And the PNMs will be flattered that you’re so fascinated by them. If you genuinely care, and you go beyond the typical dry surface questions, you will connect better with each PNM. Is it exhausting? Yes! But so thrilling when you’re looking for new sweet sisters to join your chapter. It’s totally exciting! xoxo ;)
Check out these Question Posts for some new ice breakers and small talk starters. A few fresh questions might help you get rolling during your next recruitment!
• 101 Creative Conversation Starters for Sisters to Ask PNMs
• 33 Questions to ASK PNMs
• 25 Interesting Questions to Ask PNMs During Rush
• Big/Little Speed Dating Questions (good for PNMs & sisterhood socials too!)
• 70 Super Would You Rather Questions (good for big/little speed dating to)
• 40 Questions for Sisters to Ask During the Preference Round
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