Brush up on Your Public Speaking Skills to Create a Better Impression at Your Interview

Do you have glossophobia?

In layman’s terms, this is a fear of public speaking – and it affects up to 75 percent of all adults, including many job seekers. Getting over your nervous anxiety about an interview allows you to do your best and communicate clearly in one of life’s most nerve-wracking settings.

You are not alone in your angst about appearing comfortable, relaxed and articulate during your interview. Your goal is to be clearly understood and – more importantly – you want your message to be remembered in a positive light. By finessing your public speaking skills, you can help ensure that the hiring manager takes positive action as the result of your conversation and that you emerge as a leader among competitors for your desired position.

Plan, Practice and Prepare

There’s no such thing as too much preparation for an interview. The more you know about what you’re facing, the better equipped you are to craft the best possible responses.

• Research the company and your interviewers. Start by combing through the company website and then contact anyone you know who has a connection to your prospective employer. Google your interview team. It’s a great professional courtesy and they’ll be flattered that you’ve taken the initiative to learn about them and their work. It also helps to break the ice, as you establish common ground and set a comfortable tone for your conversation.
• Use your resume and LinkedIn profile. The last thing you want to do is regurgitate your resume in an interview. Instead, look at your previous roles and practice how you can integrate them into the dialogue. Turn resume bullet points into sentences, with emphasis on how your experience is relevant to the new job.
• Do a mock interview with a trusted friend. Rehearse, record and refine it. As noted by Toastmasters International, delivering the same message 10 times gives you a solid grasp of the skills needed to communicate it with confidence.
• Know how to articulate your skills and the career evidence that supports your statements. Refine your sound bites as needed so they’re clear, concise and compelling. By practicing, you ensure that when you deliver them they will sound spontaneous, not rehearsed.
• Your words should be second nature. You should be so comfortable with them that you can listen and focus on the reactions of your interviewer and adjust your next talking points accordingly.
• Cover all the logistics. Dress appropriately, have your portfolio and other support materials ready, and arrive for your interview about 15 minutes early. Be well rested and before you leave, have a healthy meal. A clear head and relaxed, energetic attitude makes the entire experience more fruitful. Get your game face on!

Be Confident and Enthusiastic

Confidence speaks to the way you perceive yourself. Enthusiasm is indicative of your feelings about something or someone else; in this case, the position. Strike a healthy balance between the two.

• Draft a list of the reasons you’re confident in your ability to do the job. Pair each with a reason why you’re enthusiastic about the interview. You should be able to clearly communicate these reasons.
• Don’t panic. Even if you don’t know an answer, stay calm and collected. Be honest, then bridge to one of your prepared talking points. For instance, your response might be, “I’ll get back to you on XYZ program, but it sounds similar to the work I did on ABC program, which had a very successful outcome.”

Nervous about your public speaking finesse as your next interview approaches? By working with a professional recruiter from BrainWorks, you can advance your career faster as we help you develop and make the most of your talents. To learn more, read our related posts or contact us today.