Professional communication is an art that must be mastered as early as possible. This helps you to line yourself above the typical lot during interviews. Your first impression is key. A study by Havard Business School says that a recruiter size you up in the first ten seconds. You have to have a killer impression in the first few seconds. I have been reading ‘How to talk to anyone’ by Leil Lowndes. She is a big name in this particular field of communication. Her book is an international bestseller. I have some points which might be helpful for students applying for jobs.
(1) Eye contact: As per Leil Lowndes, one should maintain proper eye contact. She coins the term sticky eyes. She goes on saying that sticky eyes project you as a serious listener. Apart from that, it shows your intelligence & confidence. Leil brings out various studies by Yale University to prove her point. From an Interview perspective, one should maintain proper eye contact while communicating.
(2) Fidgeting: While communicating, we sometimes make hand or feet movement due to nervousness. Leil mentions that famous debate between Nixon and Jhon F. Kennedy. During the TV debate, Nixon was having profuse perspiration and fidgeting. This simple televised debate ended his credibility and he lost the race to White House to John F. Kennedy. Hence, professional communicators always try to limit fidgeting. They never loosen ties while feeling hot or wipe sweat drops even in the sun. Therefore, the main takeaway is that we need to limit any kind of fidgeting to maintain our credibility, truthfulness, and confidence.
(3) Latest news: Interviews can be termed as professional communication. Interviewers may ask a few questions related to current issues to start the conversation to ease you or to test you. What would you say then? Hence, whenever, you go for an interview, you must read the latest news. This will enhance your image.
(4) Oral Resume: We know that what a resume is. It is a document where you write about your education, experience, expertise, etc. My resume gives an idea about you. But, you have to have an oral resume ready at all times. Leil also stresses that one should prepare many variations for the oral resume so that at the time of stress you find a way out rather than memorizing a single script. Moreover, you should always include a benefit statement like a proper salesman with your oral resume. Always keep in mind that companies will hire you for their benefits only.
(5) Avoid one-liner: Many people are small talkers. They like to give answers to the point. Let us consider an interviewer who is asking about your belonging place. You tell them the name. But, professional communicators add a little bit more such as the place is known for, historical value, culture, heritage, etc. Likewise, you should always end the interview by thanking the panel for giving a chance to appear. Leil calls it covering the ‘thank you’. People like to receive adulation.
(6) Avoid Pressing issues & Clichés, Loose comments: Every industry has pressing issues. You should go on asking the interviewer those questions to impress him. It might affect negatively rather than doing well. Apart from that, one should stay away from clichés. It is a kind of loose comment. It might offend the panelists.
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