How to hold your ground when you meet a serial interrupter, networking.

I’ve been doing a lot of networking recently and found myself face-to-face with a few familiar types; like the conversation monopoliser I wrote about previously. But there’s another character worth calling out: the serial interrupter.

There you are mid-sentence, building your point, and suddenly …  they’ve jumped in, cutting you off in your prime.  It can feel like your words (and by extension, you) don’t matter.

Being interrupted is frustrating, and it can be tricky to hold your ground without seeming confrontational. The ideal? Stay calm, stay confident, and keep control of the conversation.

Yes, you could try to steer things back when there’s a gap, but that’s not always easy. So here are some practical ways to manage the moment:

1) Pause and then continue speaking.

Most interrupters expect you to stop when they jump in. So don’t! Pause briefly to acknowledge the interruption, then confidently continue where you left off. Often, they’ll realise their mistake and give you space.

 

2) Address the interruption directly but politely.

If someone repeatedly interrupts, it’s OK to call it out, gently but assertively. Something like:

–  “Hang on a sec – I just want to finish this thought.”

–  “That’s a great point! Let me quickly wrap up what I was saying.”

It’s not about shutting them down; it’s about setting respectful boundaries.

3) Use body language.

Non-verbal cues can be powerful. Maintain eye contact, raise your hand slightly or use a subtle gesture to show you’re not done. These signals can be especially helpful in group settings where voices often compete for space.

One thing that doesn’t work is to speak louder and faster! It tends to undermine your authority rather than reinforce it.

Want more tips to help you network? Have a look at the A-Z of networking events here.