Public speaking goes beyond giving presentations in front of a group. When we schedule a job interview, we’re tacitly signing up for a public speaking contest. Audience size? Most often, only one person.
How do you win this special kind of public speaking contest? By applying the nine strategies below.
One. Master your material. Would you “wing” a presentation in front of your organization’s management team? Would you volunteer to speak at a funeral if you had never met the diseased? Effective communicators are experts in their topic, and when you’re interviewing, the topic is YOU. As I share on “Highest Potential for Excellence,” one of my online courses, you must be conscious of your brand, and when you’re applying for a job, you are promoting the brand that is you.
Thoroughly know every bullet point and every word on your resume. This might surprise you, but if you haven’t updated your resume in a while, which could be years, some of the information on it will seem as clear as the assembly instructions for your new “easy-to-assemble” computer desk.
Think of the skills you used to complete every project or task that is written on your resume. What results did you produce? What did you learn?
Two. Practice. Practicing a presentation until it flows effortlessly out of your mouth guarantees a smooth delivery. Also, practice prevents blanking out due to nervousness. I personally use this strategy when I do media appearances, and it works!
Research common interview questions, including the behavioral kind, and answer these questions out loud. Face the mirror as you answer, or ask a good friend to listen and provide feedback. Continue practicing until you’re succinct and clear, and have eliminated distracting quirks and mannerisms.
Three. Visualize yourself succeeding. Accomplished speakers see themselves connecting with their audience and receiving a standing ovation at the end of their presentations.
Internationally-renowned bestselling author Dr. Wayne Dyer titled one of his books, “You’ll See it When You Believe It” for a reason. Visualizing success is a way to reprogram your subconscious mind, which dictates your behavior, and your behavior determines the outcome of the interview.
What will it feel like to answer every question with brilliance? What will it be like to see the interviewer nodding and smiling as though he or she were thinking you’re the one? You must picture the other person becoming so impressed by your skills and knowledge that he or she is ready to offer you the job. You’ll behave in ways aligned with the success you’ve imagined.
Four. Know the audience. Before I give a speech, my first question usually is, “Who will be in attendance?” A message can only be powerful if it’s relatable. A presentation on tax-saving tips will be a complete success in a roomful of mid-level managers, and annoying background noise in a second-grade class.
Find out who will be interviewing you, and learn as much as you can about the person’s background. LinkedIn, anyone? Find something you might have in common with the interviewer, and bring it up early in the interview.
Also, carefully research the organization’s products and services, mission, vision, and needs. Become acquainted with every page on the corporate website, and find ways to sprinkle your answers with tidbits of information that show your knowledge about the company. Ask specific, relevant questions derived from your research.
Five. Make a good impression. As unfair as it may seem, first impressions matter. A keynote speaker who shows up in a tank top and flip flops to a financial corporation’s annual meeting isn’t very likely to make it to the podium.
Choose clothes that match the culture of the organization and convey professionalism. When in doubt, dress up. Avoid accessories that might distract the interviewer and interfere with your message.
Six. Realize that people want you to succeed. We’ve all been there: In the middle of a speech, the speaker loses his or her train of thought. There’s an uncomfortable pause while the speaker tries to remember the point he or she intended to make. What do you do when this happens? Do you roll your eyes and shake your head or do you sincerely wish that the presenter finishes delivering the speech in the best possible way?
The same principle applies to interviews. You were selected among all the applicants because your experience and skills match the needs for the position. The person interviewing you is spending valuable time speaking with you because he or she thinks you have what it takes to get the job. The interviewer is eager to finish the grueling process to fill a position. The interviewer is on your team, rooting for your success.
Becoming aware of this will allow you to approach the conversation with a we-are-in-this-together frame of mind. You’ll nix anxious thoughts and have a clear mind to explain why you’re the best candidate.
Seven. Convey your enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is critical in persuasive public speaking and one of the key elements in the Highest Potential Model I teach in my online courses. Think of the Tony Robbins of the world. The most engaging speakers are so enthusiastic and passionate about their topic that we can’t help joining them in their enthusiasm.
Show how excited you are about the position through vocal variety, open body language, and animated expressions.
Clearly state how much you want to be selected for the job, especially in the last moments of the interview. Who would you rather hire? The person who, at the end of the interview, stares at the floor and mumbles, “Okay, thank you,” or the candidate who looks at you in the eye, shakes your hand firmly, and says, “This is an amazing opportunity. Thank you so much! When will I hear from you?”
Eight. Do not apologize for nervousness or mistakes. A speaker who apologizes for nervousness or mistakes brings the audience’s attention to the supposed flaw (which most people probably hadn’t noticed) and loses authority as an expert in his or her field.
The person who is interviewing you is not interested in how nervous you are or how you didn’t word an answer in the best possible way, but in how you might be the most qualified candidate for the job. The interviewer doesn’t want to highlight your shortcomings; he or she wants you to succeed.
Nine. Gain experience. Experienced speakers are the best paid professionals in their field because they give the most engaging and persuasive speeches. Just like any other skill, public speaking becomes second-nature with constant practice.
Participate in mock interviews as much as possible. As you continue gaining experience as an interviewee, ask yourself what you could do better, and take action to develop the skills you need to ace your interviews.
Apply these nine strategies and you’ll be toasting on a new job offer sooner than you think!
In the comments section below, tell me about your career goals and how these strategies will work for you.