For many of you Collegiettes, the next few months will be busy with sprucing up the resume, finding the appropriate business attire, and heading to dreaded interviews. One element that can make or break an interview is your ability to communicate professionally. Whether in job interviews, presentations, or just everyday life, filling sentences with words like “um” and “like” can make you appear less intelligent than you actually are. Most of the time when using these fillers, you do not even realize you are doing it! How you speak can make a huge impression. Here are some simple tips that can change you from sounding like a confused valley girl to an articulate professional.
1. Record yourself
Hearing yourself speak will allow you to pick up on where you use those filler words. Miami’s Career Services offers recorded mock interviews that put you in a similar situation to what an actual interview would be like. Another option is to record yourself on your phone or camera. Whether you are practicing a presentation or being asked interview questions by a friend, you may pick up on ums and likes that you did not even realize were being used.
2. Have your friend be the buzzer
Why not make it a game? Ask a friend to buzz you every time you say “um” or “like” by pointing it out to you. For example, each time you are buzzed, pay a quarter to your friend. Trust me, if you have incentive, it will be easier to stop this habit in everyday conversation. Soon it will become natural not to use these fillers!
3. Pause
Instead of using fillers, allow yourself to pause. Pauses can be powerful and effective. It is okay to not continuously talk. Obviously you shouldn’t use long awkward pauses, but taking a second to re-collect and continue with the conversation is appropriate. When in an interview, allow yourself a few seconds to consider what you are going to say.
4. Practice makes perfect
It may sound cliché but practice really makes a world of difference. People often use fillers when they do not know what they will say next. Fillers are also used when people are nervous. Practicing will make you fully prepared and more confident.
After these tips, you will be fully prepared to conquer public speaking. Ummm so like do you think you are ready?