There is a lot of preparation that goes into a successful job interview. Researching the company, thinking through answers to common interview questions, and preparing your resume are all essential. But many people overlook one of the most important aspects of an interview: strong communication skills.
While the content of your interview is certainly crucial, it doesn’t matter how strong your answers are if the interviewer can’t clearly understand what you’re saying. In addition, strong communication skills are consistently rated as one of the most important professional skills, so if you can’t display your strong communication, you may be passed over for a job or promotion. How can you use your communication skills to put your best foot forward in an interview?
- Be Clear: Make sure to articulate each and every sound as you speak, especially the consonants at the ends of words. Speak at an easy, relaxed pace: many people rush their word when they’re nervous or under pressure, which can make your message difficult to understand.
- Be Concise: Demonstrate your strong communication skills by answering questions in a way that conveys the most relevant information in the most efficient manner. While you don’t want to be abrupt, being overly verbose and talking around your point may confuse your listener and make you sound scattered.
- Avoid Filler Words: Unnecessary words and phrases like, “um,” “uh,” “like,” “you know,” and “basically” can make you sound unprofessional and seem like you’re lacking confidence. Take note of your personal filler patterns, and be particularly careful to avoid them during an interview.
Want to learn more? Take a look at the following video from Corporate Speech Solutions founder and president Jayne Latz:
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For information on the New York Based Speech and Accent Reduction services offered by Corporate Speech Solutions please give us a call at 212-308-7725 or visit us on the web at www.corporatespeechsolutions.com. Not in NYC? No problem! We also provide Skype and video conferencing services.
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