“So, how ’bout the weather?”

If you’ve ever tried to make a quick connection at the beginning of a job interview, there’s a good chance you’ve used the above ice-breaking statement that probably made you cringe as soon as the words left your mouth.

Despite our reluctance to embrace the tried-and-true opener, it does have its merit. You ask about the weather because it’s a shared experience, something that both you and the interviewer are dealing with in real time, whether it’s a blizzard or a perfect day. Besides, what else are you supposed to talk about? Brag about your daughter’s three innings of flawless little league pitching last Saturday? Offer your opinions on the 2024 presidential election?

Interview small talk can be tricky but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. You’re trying to find some commonality with your interviewer, a connection with the person who will have a direct hand in hiring you. In some cases, you can do a little research beforehand and learn about your interviewer’s interests. Or maybe you can find a nugget of information that straddles the line between that person’s business role and pop culture that makes for good banter. In most cases, however, you’ll be interviewing with an unknown entity, leaving you little knowledge of what that person likes or dislikes, so it’s best to have an idea of what you might want to cover.

Here’s a list of some do’s and don’ts concerning small talk during a job interview:

Do talk about the obvious. As mentioned above, people make fun of weather and sports-talk but it’s low-hanging fruit when looking for a topic for conversation. If you have an amusing rain-related anecdote about your commute that morning, go ahead and share. It may lead to a brief, casual discussion about driving in the rain.

Don’t talk about politics.

Do mention something about the setting: Mentioning the history of the building may score a few points. Or maybe you can bring up the company’s obvious dedication to plants, or the selection of original works of art on its walls.

Don’t get too personal. If you see a photo on your interviewer’s desk of her and her family, don’t mention the fact that you have two daughters as well unless your interviewer brings it up. HR specialists tell me they find it a little off-putting when job candidates make assumptions based on photos in their office.

Do keep it short. You need to realize when your interviewer has given a closed-ended answer, signaling that he wants to move on to the meat of the interview.

Do talk about restaurants. People casually bring up a restaurant nearby or on the first floor of the building and the next thing you know, there’s a quick conversation about what’s good or not so good about the mentioned restaurant, and maybe an ensuing discussion about other restaurants or food. When an interviewer says something like “I’ll check out that Ethiopian place you mentioned” when the interviewer’s over, there’s a good chance you’ve given them something to remember about you. Tribune News Service