Do you fear public speaking?

Ever wonder if you are a good speaker? In this topic (and upcoming ones) we will discuss and learn about the importance of effective public speaking and about several skill sets and some tips that will make you a better presenter. I will not cover everything in this post because there are numerous correlated subjects which will be progressively posted.

Honestly, anyone, somehow or rather through out their life, will have to stand-up and speak to an audience of people, regardless if it’s just a hand full or by the thousands. Well, I presume one day, you have to present a speech on your weeding day, right.

Regardless if you are a CEO of a major organisation or the supervisor of a small work team, to remain a leader, you got to speak-up because when you stand-up to speak, you instantly become a voice of authority and sometimes inspirational, moreover your audience is waiting to hear what you have to say. One excellent speaker is Adolf Hitler, by profession an artist, but transformed into a powerful leader because of his ability to strongly speak and influence others. Even though I disagree with his fundamentals, but I admire his ability to speak-up.

Most of us do fear public speaking because we have a more reserved attitude, some of us are afraid to be rejected; moreover most of us lack the confidence to convince others. I have personally experienced all those fears and negative attitudes, but through out time, I have developed my speaking skills, and found out that I was actually a good presenter.

To overcome fear you got to face it. Frankly, I was scared to death when I made my first public speech, but my confidence pick-up and natured when I was accepted by the audience, as a speaker. Subsequently my fear subsides, but I haven’t mastered those feelings. To overcome it, I begin working (mostly practising) on developing my speaking skills. Recalling back, I even once used a mirror and a recorder to practice my speech before presentation, and it turn out to be effective. Subsequently, I became a better presenter through years of speaking to various level of audience. That’s why practice is important. Frankly, nowadays public speaking has become natural for me, but I still get nervous sometimes when I am facing an unfamiliar audience and on unfamiliar grounds. Well I guess that’s natural.

As a young manager or executive, you got to start moving up your organisation. How to do that if you weren’t noticed? Without mastering public speaking and overcoming your fears, you won’t be seen, moreover recognised as a leader by your leaders. If you are ambitious, it’s not a good sign if you sit and listen throughout general meetings. Meetings are all about communication and it only work two ways. Frankly, leaders are sported during presentations or general office meetings. You got to stand up and speak up! I don’t mean literarily stand-up, but sometimes it helps if you want to get the attention of everyone.

Here are some tips to consider, which could turn public speaking into a more positive experience for you. At all times, you got to consider all those positive things you bring to the audience because you probably know more than anyone in the audience about your topic or the area of your responsibilities. Don’t be afraid of leaving something out or forget something because the audience will never know. Remember, they didn’t know what you were planning to say in the first place. Frankly, most listeners would much rather be sitting where they are than standing where you are. So they feel for you and empathise with your situation. The audience usually wants you to succeed; they’re in your corner, not rooting against you (unless you are a politician giving a speech to your opposition), moreover many people in the room probably wish that they could do what you’re doing, so relax and enjoy being a star, moreover proving a point “you are a leader”. I will elaborate more on this subject in my upcoming posts. So please watch out for them.

I got a new road but I need some traffic

Well, I guess I got your attention. Most of us bloggers are hoping to get some extra traffic for their blogs, including myself. So I would appreciate if someone link me up to their heavily loaded traffic. Please donate some traffic to me. Yes, I mean donate, because I am still fresh and got nothing much to offer yet (relating to traffic), but gradually (hopefully) in the near future, I will. Hope to get some assistance. Thanks.

The Telephone Interview Method

Ever conducted a telephone interview and wonder if it’s an efficient method of interviewing? Usually, this method of interviewing is used at the primarily phase in the pre-selection of the selection process, normally known as the screening process. Nowadays, probably the most frequently used pre-screening tool is the telephone. Most organisations use this method to narrow the number of applicants who will be invited to attend a formal face to face interview by eliminating those who don’t have the essential technical knowledge and skills, formal education and years of experience to successfully do the job. Nowadays, new technology (in a way) have influence and replaced the telephone as the premier tool of interviewing, but the fundamentals and principles still remains, regardless if someone uses email, teleconference (internet audio line or video) or even fax.

Telephone interviews are used to obtain quick answers to any questions that may be posed by the applicant’s resume. This method is used to obtain additional information about a candidate’s skills and experience than can be obtain from the application or resume. I favour this method of interviewing because one advantage is that it can be accomplished quickly and economically. Well I guess these two words (quickly and economical) will please any organisation. Without telephone and those new high tech communication tools, organisations would be overwhelmed by the task of interviewing candidates face to face who could have been disqualified much earlier in the process.

In a typical telephone interview, the interviewer spends a few minuets explaining the position and how it fits into the organisation. The interviewer then asks some predetermined questions about the candidate background and education, and attempts to clarify any inconsistencies in the resume. Typically, the interviewer inquires whether the applicant has any questions about the position, and concludes the interview by explaining what the applicant can expect to occur next in the selection process. Telephone interviews are usually highly focused and last about 10 to 15 minutes. The interviewer must also remember that while you are evaluating applicants by phone, good candidates will also be evaluating you. But don’t be afraid to ask hard questions such as reasons for leaving a job, accounting for periods of unemployment, relations with supervisor and specific details about work or educational background. Be sure to represent your organisation well by remaining professional, intact and courteous.

The advantages of telephone interview are fast, easy to accomplish and cost efficient. This method of interviewing is an effective way to narrow the field of applicants to those who will be offered a personal interview. When there are any possible negative factors about the position or your organisation, telephone interview give the prospect a chance to discuss it before extending an invitation for an interview. The surprise element of telephone interview will benefit the interviewer because the applicant is normally not prepared; therefore, not ready to manipulate any answers because the applicant might not have their resume in sight. The disadvantages of telephone interview are that it eliminates the possibility of evaluating an applicant’s nonverbal behaviour, usually known as “body language”. In addition, it’s easy for an interviewer to judge a candidate on the basis of “telephone presence” instead of mandatory success factors. People who would otherwise make excellent candidates may not have good telephone communication skills. Interviewers must never call an applicant at work to conduct job interviews. This is not only unethical; it put the applicant in an awkward position as other people might be nearby who can hear the conversation. I strongly recommend the call to be made to the person’s home in the evening or after their working hours. Telephone interviews are not as good as face-to-face interviews when you are dealing with complex issues, moreover interviews are often conducted at times that are convenient to the applicant, but not for the interviewer (evenings, early mornings, weekends). Telephone interviews at an applicant home can involve many potential distractions like friends stopping by, calls on other lines and background noise. Bottom-line, telephone interview is economical, quick, and create an element of surprise. Always use telephone interviews as part of your tool for “narrowing or winnowing the field”.