A person's skill at small talk may make a difference in competitive situations such as a job interview. When faced with two interviewees of similar qualifications and ability, first impressions may win out. The hiring manager is more likely to choose the person who created the best impression walking in the door. Which one took time to build rapport with the interviewer? Which one used small talk before the formal interview to create a comfortable atmosphere? Most likely, that is the person who will be chosen for the job. One study focusing on communication skills looked at business school graduates. Researchers were interested to see if there was any relation between the conversation skills of the graduates and success in their careers. Ten years after graduation, it was found that the most successful graduates were those with good conversation skills. They had the ability to speak to just about anyone using small talk. They also had the clear ability to make others feel at ease through conversation. Needless to say, their skill at presenting in front of audiences was excellent as well.