When you think about it, public speaking and interviewing for a job are quite similar. For most of us that nervousness you get when you’re about to go on stage is also present when we are about to sit down for a job interview.
It comes to no surprise then that your skills in public speaking can help you ace a job interview. Don’t believe me? Then check out the following steps one takes before going up on stage that can also help you land that coveted job!
The Power of the Pause
The mistake most people make when public speaking or during an interview is to not pause and think before they open their mouths. Some of the best answers I have given to a question during an interview were given after taking a few seconds to collect my thoughts.
Take your time and learn how to keep your interviewers on the edge of their seat by watching a few TED Talks and learning from the best.
Practice makes perfect!
When you’re in front of that HR REP or whoever is in charge of hiring you are being scrutinized, no doubt about that! Same goes for when you are up on stage giving a presentation. It’s for this reason that you need to go in prepared for any interview.
At the end of the day you’re giving a speech during an interview, the only difference is that you’re sitting down. While I advise you to not sound like a robot, try to memorize key points you want to touch on during your interview and practice them thoroughly.
Be ready for those questions!
Another way your public speaking can help you ace a job interview is by prepping for the questions that will be thrown at you. Before any major speech or job interview, I like to write out a list of the most probable questions that will be asked. This way I am not caught like a deer in the headlights when an interviewer asks me a typical question like “If we were to speak to one of your best friends what would they say are 3 of your best strengths and 3 of your weaknesses?”
Know when to shut it!
Have you ever seen a presenter go on and on and on to the point that you want to yell “enough already! We get it!”
Well, the same thing can happen in an interview. Know when to stop talking! Do not become a rambler. Remember it is better to say less than more. If you feel you have answered the question sufficiently stop talking even if you haven’t received a cue from the interviewer. Trust in yourself!
Get the interviewer involved
Most speeches end up with the presenter opening the floor up to the audience. The same practice should be used during an interview. Turn your interview into a conversation by having your own set of questions and developing a back and forth with your interviewer.
Now I’m not talking about discussing who won the big game last night, I’m talking about hitting on points that are important to them and the company you are looking to work for.
Hopefully, this piece of advice comes in handy the next time you are called in for an interview! All the best from the RULE THE ROOM Team!
