There are ways to subtly bump it up to medium talk by being sassy but it's exhausting to try to do them without accidentally being rude.
Like: What do you for living?
Too small: what you actually do
Too deep: What you actually do and how you feel about it. What you would rather be doing, what you thought you would be doing.
Medium: Preposterous occupation like Bond/perfume inventor/animal enthusiast. Then immediately redirect the question back to them.
I know introverts seldom want new friends but it's an interesting way to see if people can improv or go against rote conversations - you might have slightly more fun than you expect. I push myself to do it when I've crossed the line from being an introvert to being an outright Eeyore.