Communicating Effectively

The following are important communication principles during the Interview:

• Your voice - how you say it is as important as what you say.
• Body language - a subject in its own right and something about which much has been written and said. In essence, your body movements express what your attitudes and thoughts really are.
• Speak clearly. Don't shout or whisper.
• Don't rush, or talk deliberately slowly.
• Deliberately pause at key points.
• Avoid jokes - always disastrous unless you are a natural expert.
• A skilled conversationalist understands that certain subjects are best avoided in casual conversation with people one doesn’t know well.
• Controversial issues like: abortion, politics, and religion should be avoided.

Art of Listening

• The benefits of listening are:
• You acknowledge others and often increase their self-esteem.
• You acknowledge yourself and learn a considerable amount about how you think and feel when you listen to yourself.
• You create a space for the release of tension and stress through the constructive sharing of thoughts and ideas.
• You earn respect and loyalty from those who work with you.
• You increase your ability to negotiate.
• Communicate that you are listening through gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, and body language.