Rapport is present when two people speak easily with each other, with a natural rhythm and flow of conversation. You know how with some people you meet you just seem to click? Building rapport is part of professional networking. Networking happens through conversation, even small talk. By revealing something about yourself to others, you encourage others to share with you and thus relate to you.

If you don't respond to people's attempts to converse with you at small talk, you may appear aloof, arrogant, rude, or unapproachable. When someone asks you what's new, think of something interesting to say. Beware of falling into the automatic trap of answering with something like "oh, nothing," "not much," or "just working as usual." Think about recent or current successes you've had, projects you're working on, trips you've taken, and so on.