RiseGuide hires 'small talk officers' to test social interaction skills

RiseGuide, a provider of self-improvement applications, has created a temporary position titled 'Chief Small Talk Officer'. The company is seeking up to three individuals to engage in conversations with strangers across various public locations, such as parks and cafes. Participants will receive $2,000 for a 30-day period, along with an expense budget to facilitate these interactions.

The primary output of the role involves documenting observations through videos and notes. RiseGuide intends to process these findings into educational content for its app, specifically aimed at helping users improve their conversational abilities. According to the company, the experiment seeks to determine whether confidence and communication are trainable traits rather than innate personality characteristics.

This project follows recent industry data suggesting that many Gen Z workers struggle with workplace communication. Anastasia Sliusarenko, brand and reputation manager at RiseGuide, noted that the high volume of daily screen time has left some individuals lacking face-to-face communication practice. By formalizing the act of 'small talk', the company aims to address potential gaps in career development and social well-being.