Program Overview

Better Small Talk and Effective Networking

Course Information

The course "Better Small Talk and Effective Networking" is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Registration opens on January 21, 2026, at 9:00 AM, and the deadline for registration is February 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM. This course is free of charge and is exclusively available to doctoral candidates and postdocs of the University of Basel, with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 16 participants.

Aims

The primary objective of this course is to equip participants with the skills necessary to establish a winning and effective presence, associate authentically with others, and network efficiently. The course aims to teach participants how to connect charismatically, interact skillfully, and be aware of their impact on others. By the end of the course, participants will have learned how to work a room, build their network, navigate it, and grow social capital.

Content

The course covers the following topics:

• How to be a good networker
  • How to get in touch and connect with others
  • Tips for interaction and avoiding typical mistakes
  • How to build relationships
  • What to do with new contacts after an event or conference
• How to connect instantly
  • The three steps of building rapport
  • Recognizing who you are talking to
• Your presence
  • How you speak about yourself
  • How to be remembered
  • Body language
  • Listening skills
• How to have great conversations
  • How to prepare
  • How to determine what you can, want, should talk about and what you'd rather leave alone
  • Being interested
  • Remembering names
  • Listening skills
  • How to deal with over talkative people and awkward silences
  • Ending the conversation and moving on

Methods

The course employs a variety of methods, including:

• Input presentations
• Individual work
• Peer exchange
• Practical exercises

Target Group

The course is designed for all doctoral candidates and postdocs.

About the Trainer

The course is led by Catherine Tenger, an author and soft skills trainer from CLT Training.

Workload

The course requires 8 hours of attendance.

Feature

Once registration is open, applications will be collected for 24 hours, and course places will be allocated by lot. All registrations received after the initial 24-hour period will be put on a waiting list and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Course places and waiting list positions will be confirmed by email.

Location

The course will take place at the Universitätsbibliothek Basel, GRACE room 306 (3rd floor), Schönbeinstrasse 18-20, 4056 Basel.