Grasp the simplicity of communication style with these 10 tips

Did you know how to communicate effectively with an interviewer?

Do you keep getting interviews but hardly get callbacks? It might be that you have a great resume but lack that special something to wow them in person. Employers are seeking candidates who are just as good on paper as in person. This is especially true for recent grads. 

 

Millennial Branding, a Generation Y branding consultancy accompanied entry-level job portal Experience Inc. on a survey of more than 200 employers, seeking to identify exactly what employers are looking for in young professionals right now. 

 

Communication is among the most sought-after skills among Gen-Y employees. In other words, communication skills can make you or break you. Consider these tips:

 

1. Talk in an enthusiastic and confident tone. Does your voice wane when you muster up the energy to say something? Look out for the signs of low self-confidence that sneak into your replies. All of your responses should be open and confident. Don't falter.

 

2. Don't beat around the bush. If you have trouble answering, just pause for a moment—rather than using phrasing like "kind of" or "sort of." You want to convey to the interviewer that you're serious and value the interviewer's time.

 

3. Nix on fillers like um, like, and uh. This is the same with No. 2, except they are often unintentional and often a sign of nervous nervousness. Practice, practice, practice. Listen to your work until the non-words are gone.

 

4. You can mimic body language using this technique. When dealing with face-to-face communication, your body language is just as important as what you are actually saying. 90% of our communication is nonverbal, according to Susan Constantine, a body language expert and jury consultant. A communication strategy called "mirroring" helps in this situation. Vickie Austin, the founder of CHOICES Worldwide’s business, executive, and career counsel firm, believes you can use mirroring gestures to see how the partner in your discussion is attached to you. If you show subtle body language mimicking the interviewer in a similar fashion, you'll show that you're fully present. For example, “if the interviewer leans forward, then simply lean forward as well.

 

5. Don't be afraid to ask the interviewer for clarification if you have any doubt about the question. This will show you're engaged and committed to the conversation. Sharing your doubts doesn't take away any points.

 

6. Eye contact is important. It indicates confidence, assurance, and understanding, says Kerri Garbis, president of the professional skills development firm Ovation Communication. "It also lets us know when someone is being less than truthful or uncomfortable in the situation," she says.

 

7. Offer writing examples or a blog that proves your communication skills. Lots of jobs require writing, either by making presentations or emailing progress regularly. Show potential employers you can write clearly by bringing some writing samples or sending them to your blog. Of course, the content must be relevant to your industry.

8. Write up any questions or things missed in the interview in your follow-up email. If you know something was missed during the interview or that you ran out of time, make a mental note. It is not too late to elaborate on the matter in your follow-up email.

 

9. Speak in a conversational style, but don't interrupt others. A good interview is one in which the interviewer feels like you're conversing rather than being interrogated. Do not give a set of directions rather try to tell the interviewer a story. Also, avoid getting carried away—the interviewer should still lead the conversation and you shouldn't feel the need to point fingers at the employer.

 

10. You're much better off saying, "Nice meeting you, [insert name]" at the end of the interview, rather than a generic, "Nice meeting you." Discussing specific things like this show that you're paying attention, which is important.