Level up your small-talk game                                                                                                                  A black Girlboss banner that says, ''In collaboration with DODOSKIN.'' NOVEMBER 29, 2023 TALKING POINTS A GIF of a woman saying ''Anyway, I should go, away, from this conversation, bye'' as she heads towards the door IF YOU'RE TOO BUSY...  Why do so many of us struggle with small talk? Blame it on the months—no, years—of social distancing or mainly interacting with colleagues via Zoom who you’ve never met before, but striking up a low-stakes conversation feels more awkward than ever these days, and colleges are even encouraging college courses to counter the issue.  So maybe you grapple chit-chatting with that dull coworker, or maybe—gasp! You’re that dull coworker. We’re here to help. PLOT TWIST: SMALL TALK DOESN'T HAVE TO SUCK Our social skills aren’t what they used to be. From the WFH movement and the elimination of spur-of-the-moment convos (RIP Real Housewives of New York debriefs by the water cooler) to the normalization of online interactions without actually having to talk to each other, we’re left struggling for things to say IRL.  Heck, even college teachers are stepping in. While you can’t enroll in a course solely dedicated to social etiquette, literature and computer science professors have carved out time to guide college students on networking and made an example of how the next generation is in need of guidance. And while we can’t convince the Dean to implement a course next semester, the proof is in the pudding that a refresher is needed. You’re still reading this after all. So, here are some pointers on how to master the art of small talk, according to TIME. Stop assuming people aren’t interested Surprise, people like you more than you think you do. “The Liking Gap” breaks down how negative self-talk skews our perception and how humans actually want to be social. It’s not a convo, it’s a treasure hunt Get curious! Instead of approaching small talk with dread, reframe conversations as an opportunity to discover a juicy tidbit of commonality. Hooray for human connection. Seriously, stop talking about the weather Don't linger on low-priority topics: if you keep talking about your commute, you delay getting to the good stuff (like how the two of you think Taylor Swift’s Reputation was ahead of its time.) And the foolproof small talk hack for when you’ve run out of tactics? A simple compliment goes a long way—but stick to mentioning how cute their shoes are rather than their eyes. Don’t make it weird. Hey! Got a forward from a friend? Click here to make it official and subscribe to our next one.  IN COLLABORATION WITH DODOSKIN A green DODOSKIN box floating above a white pedestal on a green background. INTRODUCING: THE SEPHORA OF K-BEAUTY 🧴💄 Where are our beauty lovers at? If you’re still sleeping on Korean beauty products, let us put you on. It’s some of the best in the game—prioritizing deep hydration and long-term skin health. And there’s no better place to #addtocart than DODOSKIN, the #1 K-beauty discount shop.  If you’re looking for a unique gift idea (for your skincare-obsessed bestie or for yourself, we’re not judging), their DODOBOX is it! This mystery box features surprise items from brands like LANEIGE, Innisfree, COSRX, KraveBeauty and Dr. Jart+. And the best part? The boxes are up to 55% off *and* will arrive at your door long before Christmas Day with DODOSKIN’s FREE (and fast) worldwide shipping. SHOP NOW + SAVE BIG SNACKS 🎅 Santa came early. Here’s the gift of knowing how to survive the office holiday party. 🏎️ *Groan* You have to make another demo video for your team. Let AI help. This FREE extension creates stunning, engaging video content 11x faster than making it from scratch.* 🙄 Another reason why being a woman in tech is hard? Some men would than hire women to speak at a conference. 🚀 Attention, business owners! If you don’t use Bloom, you’re missing out. It’s a one-stop shop for all of your business needs (from invoicing to project management)—and it’s incredibly affordable. Use our code GIRLBOSS for 30% off. You’re welcome!* 🙏 Even more reason to thank your therapist: They’re helping you with your career. *This link is sponsored RECOMMENDED READING ICYMI A graphic of multi-colour presidents against a green gradient background "SHOULD I GIVE MY BOSS A GIFT?" AND OTHER HOLIDAY GIFTING QUESTIONS—ANSWERED Two etiquette experts tell you the dos and don’ts of gifting at work. READ NOW THE STUFF WE LOVE STAFF PICKS A hand holds the hearing air against a blue backdrop Horizon, hear.com THE HEARING AID THAT WILL MAKE EVEN DUMBO JEALOUS Are you the friend that will unknowingly nod in a convo because you’ll give yourself the ick if you say “huh” three times in a row? From loud concerts to airpods blasting during hot girl walks, our hearing may not be what it used to be—and there’s no shame in that! Introducing Horizon from hear.com, a revolution in auditory precision that will amp up your listening game. With Horizon, you’ll be able to catch every word and note around you. Plus, with its sleek design and smartphone integration, you're in control wherever you go. Begin your journey to hearing the world around you with their 45-day no-risk trial, with the assurance that every step will be taken care of by the experts at hear.com. So not your grandmother’s hearing aid.* *This link is sponsored TRY TODAY two women are walking across the street in winter coats, they are smiling at eachother NYC Luxe Winter Giveaway THE TRIP FIT FOR A PARK AVENUE PRINCESS A two-night stay at a high-end hotel right in the heart of New York City? Check. A $500 shopping spree at Marcella, the cool-girl minimalist designer? Check. Gift cards to stock up on skincare, wellness and fashion goodies? Check. This luxurious winter giveaway—with over $3,700 worth of prizes—has everything Carrie Bradshaw could ever dream of. Forward this to your bestie and enter now before the giveaway closes on Dec. 18, 2023. ENTER THE GIVEAWAY A image of a blue suit on figure against a white backdrop The Double Breasted Combat Suit, ÀMEN, starting at $319 THE CUSTOM POWER SUIT “I've never had a custom suit made (virtually), so I was eager to receive it and try it on, and it did not disappoint! This women-owned company has a mission to create custom power suits for women globally. You start via their Online Customization Studio by defining your goals, identifying your aspirations, then finding your perfect fit. Instructions on how to measure yourself are included. You can even choose thoughtfully engraved cuff buttons with your outfit. With colors that will launch seasonally, it's a comfortable suit that moves when I move, and I can't wait to walk into an event with this ensemble! — Jules, senior designer SHOP NOW JOB BOARD JOB OF THE DAY BRAND MARKETING DESIGNER & MAKER, DUOLINGO You will design, experiment and test creative content across performance marketing including App store optimization and systems. You will also closely collaborate with illustrators, designers and animators to bring a cohesive brand to the world across all marketing touchpoints with the utmost attention to craft and detail. This includes illustrative, typographic and design compositional craft and motion graphics. APPLY IF YOU HAVE: A proven ability as a brand designer with several years' experience either agency, brand or both; Experience in creating content that can span from a social post to an integrated campaign with multiple touchpoints; Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, interaction design, UX/UI, HCI, or a related field and 3+ years of experience as a designer; Proficient experience designing and crafting with a range of programs including the Adobe Design Suite, Figma, as well as After Effects is a requirement. SALARY: $79,200 - $169,500 MORE JOBS MARKETING PLANNING MANAGER, THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HEAD OF YOUTUBE & VIDEO PRODUCTION, HUBSPOT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, COMPASS POST A JOB Want to advertise your brand on Girlboss Daily? Of course you do. Click here to learn more. Enjoyed this? Forward to a friend. If you buy something through our links, Girlboss may earn an affiliate commission. Copyright © 2023 Girlboss Holdings Inc. All rights reserved. 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington DE, 19801 You’re receiving this email because you signed up to join the Girlboss community. LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter