Public speaking skills and interviews

by: Ellen Egan

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I was conducting some interviews recently and I was struck by how important public speaking skills are in the interview process. After all, public speaking is, at its heart, one person speaking to one or many. An interview may be one of the most important public speaking engagements that you have. The fundamentals of good public speaking are also at the centre of a good interview.

1. Preparation. Anyone who has conducted an interview will tell you that it is obvious who as prepared for the interview and who has not. We can easily guess who makes a better impression. Before the interview be sure to learn as much as you can about your potential employer. Google is a great tool for this. Find out about the company philosophy and mission. Find out as much as you can about the future direction of the company. Learn as much as you can about the department you will be working with and the particular job you are interviewing for.

2. Audience analysis. I have gone into detail about audience analysis in previous blogs (just look in the categories). Once again, you will want to find out as much as you can about who you will be interviewing with, what their interests are in this position and customize your interview preparation based on this.

3. Prepare your presentation (your stories). Take a good look at the job description and think of the skills and competencies that will be required and desireable for the job. Then, think of examples in your past where you have demonstrated these skills and capabilities. During the interview you can use thes examples/stories to give a clear picture to the interviewer that you have the experience to be successful at the job.

4. Voice control. Work on your voice before the interview to be sure that you are speaking clearly, loudly enough and confidently. You don’t want a shaky and weak voice during your interview.

5. Non-verbal messaging and body language. You will want to appear confident, interested, honest, caring, etc.  during your interview.  You can give all of these messages through body language by sitting up straight, sitting at the edge of your chair, having good eye contact with the interviewer(s) and smiling.  Of course, you will want to take care that your personal appearance is professional.

6.  Practice .  The key to successful public speaking and successful interviews is practice.  Practice “mock interviews” with friends or family so that you have a chance to answer questions, weave your stories into the conversaion and get confortable talking about yourself.   The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be when the interview takes place.

A good resource which can help both with interviewing and with being successful in your current job is:

How to Be the Person Successful Companies Fight to Keep by Connie Podesta

To your success,

Ellen

Public speaking and body language

by: Ellen Egan

Steve Punter

Body language is an integral part of public speaking.  Research has found that people will develop their first impressions of you in 7 seconds.    During presentations, you may not even be speaking during these first few seconds.  So, a lot of the audience members’  first impression of you will depend on your body language.

Further research has indicated that as much as 93 % of communication between people is nonverbal. Body language includes how you stand and move, your facial expressions, where you are positioned in relation to other people and even what you are wearing.  All of these things can send messages to other people about you.  A classic example is how hair length can send a message about a person’s politics.

There has been extensive research into body language.  it would be worthwhile to study body language in order to better understand the powerful messages that you may be sending your audience. Realize that you are using your body to get your message across in public speaking and sometimes it sends a stronger message than your words.

A few things to keep in mind about body language and public speaking (especially the critical first impressions):

1.  Facial expression:  Smile, smile, smile.  As people enter the room be sure to smile at them.  They will then know that they are welcome and will assume that you are friendly, relaxed and confident.

2.  Eye contact:  We all know that it is critical to make eye contact with your audience during your presentation.  it shows that you are confident, helps people to perceive you as an expert and gives the audience the impression tha tyou are interested in them and honest.  it is also important before your presentation to make eye contact with your audience.  If you are staring at your nots, avoiding your audinece, out of the room, or speaking with only one participant you may be giving the wrong message.  This can be interpreted as signs of a lack of confidence, dishonesty or lack of caring.

3.  Positioning:  I would always recommend standing as this sends a message of confidence.  You will also want to consider coming out from behind the podium as the podium can put a barrier between you and your audience.

4.  Gestures:  When you a practicing your presentation, watch your gestures.  Pay attention to using gestures that are open and making a connection with your audience.  Try to avoid crossing your arms, both hands in your pockets, jingling keys and change in your pockets, etc.  As these send messages of impatience and closing yourself off from your audience.  Another big thing to remember is please, never check your watch during your presentation.  This sends a message to your audience that you want to be somewhere else and are impatient to get there.

5.  Attire:  I would rather not give a long list of what not to wear.  Here are some quick rules for your attire.  Be sure everything is clean and pressed (if appropriate).  Try to dress just a little more formally than your audience.  Also, think of comfort when you are choosing your attire.  It doesn’t help your confidence if you are uncomfortable.  Pay attention to your personal hygiene as this sends a message about your self respect.

As I mentioned earlier, you should consider learning more about body language as this will improve all of your communications, not just in public speaking situations.

I would highly recommend Kevin Hogan’s courses on Body Language.

Here are some books I can recommend from Allan Pease, Tonya Reiman and Mark Bowden:

It’s a fascinating subject, don’t be surprised when you get hooked.
To your success,
Ellen

How does body language affect public speaking?

by Ellen Egan

Body language has become a “hot” topic  (just go check out your local bookstore and you will see a big section on body language) in relation to business, sales, relationships and dating, even though the study of body language has been around for a long time. Trust me, I went into a book store last week and I was amazed at the amount of books on the topic.  So, how does all of this relate to public speaking.

Body language is really all about non-verbal communication.  What are you saying without using your voice.  Now, with public speaking this has often translated into “how are you showing your nervousness” without saying “I am nervous”.  If you have  ever seen a presenter pace back and forth across the stage, cross their arms, hide behind the podium, tap their foot incessantly, etc you have seen someone who was shouting out their nervousness, without using a single word.

There are those who would quote Albert Mehrabian’s research and say that body language accounts for up to 93% of the meaning that people take form human communication.  That’s not completely accurate as Mehrabian’s research focused on communications with a strong emotional element (including aspects which fall outside the standard body language definition).  But it is safe to say that body language is very important tool to convey meaning.  Most researchers would agree that between 50 – 80% of all human communications are non-verbal.

Body language includes gestures, stance, and facial expressions.  When you are presenting, you will want to be aware of the messages you are sending the audience through your gestures, stance and facial expression.

First of all you will want to give a strong impression.  You will want to use good posture and stand up straight.  This give s the impression of confidence.  Your stance should include facing the audience, but I recommend standing at a slight angle with your feet in a “T” position.  This allows you greater flexibility of movement and makes it less likely that you will lock your knees.

In terms of gestures, you will want to use your hands to convey your message during your presentation.  You have a wide range of gestures at your disposalto convey your message.  One of the most effective is numbering the main points of your presentation.  You can also use your hands for gestures related to adjectives (big, small, long, high, low, etc.)

Facial expressions are one of the most important aspects of body language and presentations.  Eye contact with members of your audience denotes interest, sincerity and confidence.  Smiling also helps to make a positive connection with your audience.  Ideally, you will focus your attention on parts of the audience and then move your attention to another part of the audience as you move on with your speech.  This way the whole audience has the impressions that you are speaking with them.

The critical aspect of body language and public speaking is that there must be congurence between your non-verbal communication and your verbal communication.  A serious message needs serious facial expressions, a serious stance and gestures.  A lighthearted message needs lighhearted nonverbal communication.  It is very confusing if a person is saying “No” while they nod their head up and down.  Keep your messages congruent and it will be easier for your audience to absorb the message.

Here are some resources  if you are interested in learning more about using body language:

Covert Hypnosis

Body Language – Secrets of Master Communicators

The Definitive Book of Body Language

The Power of Body Language: How to Succeed in Every Business and Social Encounter

To your success,

Ellen