You might not think of yourself as a public speaker, and your job doesnât necessarily involve giving speeches, addressing the troops, or preaching to the congregation. But, itâs almost certain that your job involves communicating in front of others in one way or another.
Whether youâre speaking in a Zoom meeting, discussing your performance review with your supervisor, or showing your office crew how the new printer works, you want to communicate effectively.
Developing your public communication skills can put you ahead of the pack and open up new opportunities for you in the new year. Continue reading for three New Year’s resolutions for work that will boost your career in 2024.
Resolution #1: Speak more
If youâre asked to give a presentation or facilitate a meeting, eagerly accept. Even better: Donât wait to be asked; volunteer.
Think about what speaking opportunities you might find. Be creative. Although these will be New Year’s resolutions for work (career enhancement), the opportunities themselves donât have to be at work. Here are a few ideas public speaking ideas at â and away from â work:
Give a toast at dinner with family or friends. It can be short and sweet.
Lead a meeting at work. This will give you a chance to let others speak, moderate a discussion, and speak off the cuff. If itâs a Zoom meeting, you can invite Yoodlibot to attend and provide feedback afterward.
Give the announcements or call for the offering at your church service.
Record a test speech with Yoodli and get feedback for free. If you donât have something in particular to practice, click on âNot sure what to say? Try with a fun prompt.â (It truly is fun!)
When you make this New Year’s resolution for work, set a concrete, measurable goal. Make it both ambitious and realistic. For example, you could aim to speak once a week. When you consider the wide variety of opportunities â including using the Yoodli AI speech coach â it should be fairly easy to reach your goal.
Resolution #2: Get a speech coach
Feedback is the breakfast of champions and can boost your career by improving your skills. Here are a few tips to guide you as you look for a speech coach:
Determine the credentials of your prospective coaches. You can get a referral from someone you trust, and you can check to see if theyâre certified by a reputable entity such as the National Speakers Association or Yoodli. (If they’re a Yoodli coach, you should see this badge.)
Just because a coach is good, it doesnât mean that theyâre the right one for you. Set up a consultation or trial with a speaking coach to find out whether theyâre a match for you in terms of philosophy, personality feedback style, etc.
Consider using an AI speech coach instead of, or as a supplement to, a human coach. Especially if youâre just getting started on this journey, you might find that non-human observation and analysis of your speaking is the most comfortable.
Check out this article for more tips on getting a public speaking coach.
Resolution #3: Join Toastmasters
For nearly 100 years, Toastmasters has helped people just like you become confident, skilled public speakers and leaders. Participate with a club in person or online to practice writing and presenting speeches in a supportive group setting.
Membership in a Toastmasters club will undoubtedly boost your skills in public speaking and leadership (another highly-marketable job skill). Youâll also find valuable career-enhancing networking opportunities.
Public speaking is important if you want to inform, persuade, or motivate people. Whatever your role, informing, persuading, and motivating are likely to be part of it. You might need to deliver a quarterly report (inform), convince your boss that your department needs a bigger budget (persuade), or get your team to tackle an ambitious goal (motivate).
Make any or all of the New Year’s resolutions for work outlined above, and check out these additional resolution ideas that will help you improve your high income skills in 2024. Picture yourself at this time next year as a more confident, experienced speaker with an enviable rĂŠsumĂŠ. Nowâs the time to start.
On the surface, answering this question may seem deceptively simple. You know your strengths and weaknesses. How hard can it be to communicate this in an internship interview? Unfortunately, candidates often find it hard to walk the fine line between showing off their strengths and full-on bragging.
Thatâs why internship and job interviews are often overwhelming especially if youâre searching for your first professional role. Research has found at least 92% of people find the interview process to be stressful (Forbes). Fortunately, after reading this guide, youâll be able to answer this common but tricky interview question: what is your greatest strength?
If you take away anything from this, itâs that you should be deliberate with your answer. Make sure the story you tell about yourself is true to life, while also demonstrating the specific skills the hiring manager is looking for. And once you have an amazing answer prepared, use online tools like Yoodliâs AI interview practice tool to get detailed, personalized feedback and the ability to track your progress.
But before you jump in, watch this quick video to get a quick overview about how to approach this question. (Weâve also included two sample answers to give you a good idea of what to aim for.)
Tip #1: Ask yourself, “What skills is this internship looking for?”
Before jumping straight in, itâs important to keep in mind why employers ask this question. Asking you to reflect on your strengths is a way for hiring managers to see whether you (1) have the appropriate experience and (2) have the skills to do the job well. Therefore, your strength should reflect the specific demands of the role.
For example, for a marketing internship, the employer is going to be looking for an individual with strong analytical and soft skills. A good marketer needs to be able to communicate well with both customers and coworkers.
Another role, for example in software engineering, would require more quantitative skills and experience in programming languages. Therefore, if you are looking for a skill thatâll help you stand out from other candidates, think of skills that make you specifically well-suited for this role.
One way of finding out what skills they are looking for is to analyze the job posting and its requirements. If you think you donât currently possess specific skills, especially for something technical like programming, there are certain things every employer is looking for in an intern. For example, candidates with strong leadership skills and soft skills are an asset to any company.
Take your time with this. Brainstorming a list of 3â5 skills is necessary to form the backbone of a solid answer. Afterward, narrow it down to the one strength you want to communicate.
Do this by choosing the one that feels most authentic but simultaneously fulfills the employerâs requirements. At the end of the day, you want to feel confident that youâll be able to do this internship well!
Tip #2: Reflect on your personal experience.
After youâve narrowed down which strengths you want to communicate, the next step is to think about which experiences show these skills off! Donât restrict yourself to accomplishments and experiences in internship or work settings. The ability to delegate tasks, communicate effectively and manage time can all be developed in class projects, club activities or even at home. Get creative!
Tip #3: Use the STAR method to tell a compelling story.
Once youâve identified the story you want to tell, use the STAR method to structure your answer. You want to use a predetermined structure to make your answer comprehensive and easy to follow. After all, someone who communicates clearly in an interview will communicate well on the job.
The STAR method ensures your answer includes a Situation, Task, Action and Result.
Situation: What was going on? What was the situation/problem you were trying to address? Be as specific as possible.
Task: What was the goal? What needed to be done to address the situation?
Action: What was your specific role? Which strength did you demonstrate because of the action you took?
Result: What happened because of your direct intervention? Try to use quantitative results as much as possible (e.g because of my decision to __, we increased __ metric by __%).
Try to make your answer around a minute long. Spend more time describing your solution and the strength you developed/demonstrated. Employers care less about the specific experience/situation and more about what you can do. Most importantly, if your skill is specific, mention why this strength helps you fulfill this specific internship better than other candidates.
Tip #4: Focus on your delivery.
Now that youâve gotten an answer nailed down, itâs time to nail the delivery. Even if youâve written a fantastic response, your answer will fall flat if you speak so quickly that the interviewer canât catch what youâre saying. There are various tools online to help you refine your delivery. For example, using Yoodliâs Interview Practice feature, you can practice and get feedback on your answer. You get tips on how to improve your delivery, covering important aspects of communication like pacing and eye contact.
Itâs also important to pay attention to what words you use in your answer. Filler words, such as âlikeâ and âumâ, and hedgers, such as âright?â, suggest a lack of confidence and professionalism. This InteviewGenie article explains why you should avoid these words at all costs.
After all, if you arenât confident in yourself, why should your interviewer have confidence in you? Thankfully, Yoodliâs AI speaking coach offers pointers on whether you are using non-inclusive language or repeating words too often. An answer without filler and hedgers helps you communicate as clearly as possible, impressing your interviewer!
Tip #5: Prepare for possible follow-up questions.
After giving a well-practiced answer to âwhatâs your greatest strengthâ, you may be asked a follow-up question. Interviewers ask follow-ups to clarify any part of your answer they didnât understand or want more detail on.
Possible follow-ups to âwhatâs your greatest strengthâ include:
What is your greatest weakness?
Describe a time when you succeeded and a time when you failed.
Sometimes, you may be surprised by unexpected, seemingly unrelated follow-up questions. In this case, you need to keep your cool even when inside you may be freaking out! You can practice answering unforeseen questions through Yoodliâs Games, which will help you practice crafting creative answers on the spot and delivering them smoothly.
Now that youâve gone through the steps of how to write a good answer, read these answer samples to see what works and what doesnât.
A good example answer (for a copywriting role):
âMy ability to write well is my greatest strength. As a college sophomore, Iâm currently writing for the schoolâs newspaper. I was responsible for writing the front-page piece about the collegeâs decision to invite a controversial speaker to our commencement ceremony. I conducted multiple interviews with staff and students to gather multiple perspectives about this issue. I took care to write impartially and provoke a discussion about the role of free speech on campus. After publishing this article, we received incredible readership: this article alone was shared over 100 times and had 20 comments. As a result of this piece and other articles, I received my newspaperâs âJournalist of the Yearâ award. My strength in writing makes me well-suited for copywriting. I am detail oriented and able to communicate compellingly; I can therefore connect with customers on a range of topics.â
Why did it work?
The answer is concise, using relevant examples and excluding unnecessary background information
They took a relevant personal experience and used the STAR method to tell a compelling story. The interviewee briefly outlined the situation. They proceeded to explain how the choices they took and subsequent results demonstrated their unique strength.
They made sure to include the quantitative results of their actions and evidence of how they were recognized for their unique strength. They also mentioned why their strength is particularly relevant to the role they applied for. This helps applicants stand out among other candidates.
A bad example answer (for a summer research program):
âIâm really interested in science. My friends and family always tell me Iâm the most curious and hardworking person they know. Like, this one time, I had to give a presentation in class. I encountered a lot of issues because there was some stuff I didnât understand. I demonstrated my problem-solving by doing research and reading a bunch of books. I ultimately got an A on the assignment.â
Why didnât it work?
The answer was TOO concise. Your interviewer needs to hear enough details to determine whether your strength is actually a strength.
Multiple strengths were presented without a clear structure. This leaves the interviewer unsure about what the interviewee is trying to communicate. Moreover, if the question posed was âwhat is your greatest strengthâ, this answer suggests the interviewer cannot follow instructions properly.
No specific (quantitative) evidence was used to back up the answer.
Whatâs next?
Now that you know exactly what you need to do. Itâs time to practice!
Writing down an answer and memorizing it is one thing. Itâs a whole other (more effective) thing to read it out loud. Do this by writing down key words on a cue card and practicing from there. Once you feel confident, try to recite your answer by heart. Pay attention to your pacing and body language. Use Yoodliâs transcription tool to ensure what you end up saying aligns with your pre-prepared transcript.
Most importantly, feel confident in yourself. Follow all the tips in this blog and take advantage of online interview tools like Yoodli. This way, youâll be well-prepared to answer this question and anything else an interviewer can throw at you!
âSo, Justine. Whatâs the status of your project?â If your name is Justine, you might have just panicked a little bit. Certainly, you can identify. Weâve all been in situationsâââat a meeting or a social gatheringâââwhen all eyes turn to us. They expect us to say something.
Worry not! Public speaking coach Lisa Kleiman, the founder of Speaktopia, has five strategies you can use on Yoodli to improve your public speaking, especially impromptu speaking. Impromptu speaking is all about confidence, and you can build that confidence by practicing in Yoodliâs pressure-free environment.
You canât possibly have a ready response in every situation, but you can have a ready structure to use in any scenario. Continue reading to learn how to make an impromptu speech with Kleimanâs winning strategies.
Strategy #1: The 5 Ws
Speaking with or to people is easier when you have some sort of connectionâââsome knowledge about what youâre like, what you know, or what you care about. Theyâre more likely to listen to you if they feel a bond with you.
If youâre called on to speak with or to people youâve just met, that connection isnât thereâââyet. But, you can make that connection by using the 5 Ws strategy. It involves asking questions:
Who ⌠?
What ⌠?
Why ⌠?
Where ⌠?
When ⌠?
Hereâs an example of how to make an impromptu speech using the 5 Ws strategy. Letâs say that youâre asked to lead a team discussion about the work-from-home policyâââright now. You could try to articulate the policy and share how you think itâs working. You might assume that everyone already knows what it is and not state it. If youâre wrong in your assumption, some people will be confused. Is anyone still listening to you at this point?
Now letâs say that you know how to make an impromptu speech with the 5 Ws strategy. You start off by asking, âWho has clarity about what our current policy is?â The question engages your audience, getting them to think and respond. It also helps you know whether you need to review the policy. Then you ask, âWhat kind of feedback have you received about the policy?â Again, theyâre thinking and responding. Youâre getting information that helps you know which direction to take the discussion.
This strategy helps you establish a bond with your audience at the beginning because it instantly engages you in a conversation. This works even when youâre speaking in front of a large audience. Although itâs less of a dialogue, you can ask for a show of hands or use rhetorical questions to get them to listen and engage.
You can practice this impromptu speaking strategy with the âRecord Speechâ feature on the free Yoodli app. Click on âNot sure what to say? Try with a fun prompt.â See what W questions you can come up with!
Strategy #2: P.R.E.P.
Sometimes youâre prepared to speak, but youâre not ready for the curve balls that get thrown at you in the form of questions or remarks. Suddenly, your prepared speech turns into an impromptu speech. The P.R.E.P. strategy works for any kind of speech. Hereâs how it works:
PointâââMake a singular point.
ReasoningâââShare the reasoning behind your point. This is the why to your what.
EvidenceâââShare a concrete example or two that supports your point and your reasoning.
PointâââCircle back to your point and summarize it.
Hereâs an example of how to make an impromptu speech using the P.R.E.P. strategy. Youâre asked what you think should be added to the budget next quarter.
PointââââI think we should hire a part-time assistant for Charles.â
ReasoningââââI see Charles doing a lot of tasks that anyone can do, and he should be freed up to do what only he can do as the Development Director.â
EvidenceââââI saw this dynamic at the last organization I worked for. When the director was released of administrative tasks, she was able to spend a lot more time meeting with potential donors, and contributions went up and eventually covered the cost of the assistant and more.â
PointââââA part-time assistant for Charles should be a budget priority for us if we want to see long-term growth in contributions.â
Strategy #3: S.E.E.
If you can appeal to someoneâs logic or their emotions, youâre doing well. What if you could appeal to both? Youâre likely to win them over to your idea. Itâs great when you have a chance to prepare for a specific scenario, but sometimes you wonât get that chance. Still, you can be prepared with a strategy. The S.E.E. strategy is easy to remember and will help you appeal to your audienceâs logic and emotions in impromptu situations.
Hereâs what it stands for:
StatementâââMake a simple statement.
EvidenceâââProvide evidence (facts) to support your statement and appeal to your audienceâs reasoning.
EmotionâââProvide something (perhaps a story about a person) to support your statement and appeal to your audienceâs emotions.
Hereâs an example of how to make an impromptu speech using the S.E.E. strategy. Youâre asked whether you think the company should have a holiday party this year.
StatementââââWe definitely should have a company holiday party.â
EvidenceââââOur team surveys indicate that itâs a significant morale boost and a major team bonding experience, and research shows that morale and bonding directly impact productivity.â
EmotionââââYou know Derrick? He used to show up at 9:00 every day, leave at 5:00, and barely talk to anyone in between. At last yearâs party, he really came out of his shell when we brought out the karaoke machine. Now heâs taking on leadership roles with a confidence he (and we) never knew he had!â
You can practice this strategy with Yoodliâs free Interview Practice tool. Pick a question such as âDescribe your leadership styleâ or any others that catch your eye.
Strategy #4: The 3 Ts
Youâre probably familiar with the Introduction/Body/Conclusion communication structure. Thatâs essentially what the 3 Ts strategy is.
Hereâs how it works:
Tell them what youâre going to tell them. This buys you time and allows you to clarify what question your answering.
Tell them. This is the meat of your response. After your introduction, you can go into detail.
Tell them what you told them. This is a summary and a chance to give them a takeaway or a call to action.
Hereâs an example of how to make an impromptu speech using the 3 Ts strategy. Letâs say that youâre asked to give a brief update on your project.
Tell them what youâre going to tell them. âSure, Iâd be happy to give a quick progress report on my video project.â
Tell them. âIâve captured the raw footage, and Iâm now in the editing process. I expect that to take a couple more days, and then Iâll get some feedback on it before finalizing it.â
Tell them what you told them. âIâm on track with the video project, and your feedback will be helpful in a couple of days, so Iâll reach out then.â
Strategy #5: C.A.R.
Sometimes youâre asked on the spur of the moment to address a problem. The C.A.R. strategy for impromptu speaking is a great way to handle this. It lets you demonstrate that you have a good grasp of the problem and that your solution is worth exploring. Hereâs how it works:
ChallengeâââState the problem.
ActionâââOffer a solution.
ResultâââCast a vision for the post-problem future.
Hereâs an example of how to make an impromptu speech using the C.A.R. strategy. Your teammate comes to you, clearly anxious, and says that your team project is due tomorrow and itâs not on track to be completed.
ChallengeââââSo, the project is due at tomorrowâs 3:00 meeting, and we still need to gather the sales data and get it into the presentation.â
ActionââââI can put my current task on hold and get the first quarter data, and Iâll ask Cate to get second quarter. If youâre comfortable prepping the template from the last presentation and plugging in the data we give you, that should be all we need.â
ResultââââThe boss is going to love the presentation, and weâll breathe easy when itâs done!â
Practice These Strategies
Now that you know how to make an impromptu speech with Kleimanâs five strategies,
itâs time to practice each one with your own AI speech coach at Yoodli. It will help you improve your speaking skills and overcome anxiety about being called on to speak.
If youâre feeling a little competitive, you can try one of the Yoodli impromptu speaking warmup exercises to beat your own high score. Get a daily streak of five, and youâll see noticeable improvement.
If you havenât done so already, sign up for free and take advantage of the practical tools and fun games. Yoodliâs AI analytics can train you to take whatever comes at you and respond with confidence and clarity.
Letâs face it. This can be a make-or-break question in a job interview. I mean, if you canât give a good answer to this question, should they hire you?
Your gut reaction might be to talk about your qualificationsâ especially your skills and experience. Thatâs certainly one aspect, but donât leave it there or hash over what they already know. You want to convince them that youâre not only the right person for the role, youâre the right person for the company.
Keep reading to get some ideas on how to answer âWhy should we hire you?â Youâll find a framework to organize your response, youâll learn five key elements to address, and youâll get connected to an invaluable (yet free) tool to practice your answer and get instant feedback. (Bonus: Preparing in this way will also help you know whether this is the right company and role for you!)
How to answer âWhy should we hire you?â using the PREP method
The PREP method is simply a way to organize your answers to interview questions. Hereâs what it stands for:
P = Point
R = Reason
E = Evidence
P = Point (again)
You donât just want to make a point; you want tosupport your point by sharing its background and demonstrating that you mean it. You also want to repeat your point to make sure itâs heard. Weâll use this method as a framework in the examples that follow.
In your job interview, keep in mind that youâre being considered not only for a particular role but for an entire organization. The organization has a unique vision and culture that serve as the context for the role youâre considering. Your competency matters, but so do your chemistry with the team and your character as a team member. So, when you think about how to answer âWhy should we hire you?â also consider how you can stand out by addressing all of these elements.
#1: A Vision Fit
How to answer âWhy should we hire you?âââââBecause I am excited about your vision, and I want to help make it a reality.â
Prior to your interview, make sure youâre clear about the organizationâs vision. This article from Indeedâs Career Guide backs up the idea that you should research the company prior to your interview.
You donât want to embark on a new venture just to become a blind cog in the machine. Catch the vision, and spend some time before your interview thinking about how you can contribute to it in this role. Think big. See long-term. Picture yourself working for this company five, ten, twenty years from now. When you can see yourself there, you make it easier for them to see you there as a part of the wholeâââfor the long haul.
Example
P = Point = âI have a passion to communicate effectively and help others do the same.â
R = Reason = âI used to struggle with confidently sharing my perspectives with others.â
E = Evidence = âIâve taken classes to learn how to communicate with more clarity and confidence.â
P = Point (again) = âI want to continue to grow in my communication skills and to coach others on the same journey. I want to build a legacy of confident, effective communicators!â
#2: A Culture Fit
How to answer âWhy should we hire you?âââââBecause Iâm won over by your organizational culture, and I share the same values and priorities.â
In the same way that itâs important to be familiar with the organizationâs vision, itâs critical to have a basic understand of its culture. Are they serious or lighthearted? Are most team members workaholics? Do they encourage candor, or do people carefully watch what they say?
Whatever the culture, itâs important to fit inâââin a way that doesnât cause a painful culture clash. You donât have to conform, you but you should complement. In your job interview, acknowledge that youâre aware of the culture and explain how youâll fit right in.
Example
P = Point = âI appreciate that you encourage a work-life balance. Thatâs one of my priorities, too.â
R = Reason = âI used to be a workaholic. I still work hard, but now I see the wisdom in having a life outside of work.â
E = Evidence = âIâve asked my husband and kids to tell me when Iâm slipping back into workaholic mode.â
P = Point (again) = âIâm grateful that we both value a healthy work-life balance.â
#3: A Competency Fit
How to answer âWhy should we hire you?âââââBecause Iâm qualified for the role, and Iâm eager to keep growing in my skills.â
You should cover this in depth with your resume, cover letter, and the other parts of the interview. But, certainly address it in response to this question, as well. The more concrete, quantifiable, and detailed your answer is, the more youâll stand out from other applicants.
You might wonder how much you should promote yourself. This article from CNBC discusses the importance of balancing confidence and humility.
Example
P = Point = âIâm a certified communications coach with two years of experience.â
R = Reason = âHaving my own coach helped me grow and inspired me to become one myself.â
E = Evidence = âIâm proud of the progress that my coaching clients make!â
P = Point (again) = âI can enhance your communications coaching program with the experience I bring.â
#4: A Chemistry Fit
How to answer âWhy should we hire you?âââââBecause I feel comfortable around you and the others, and I think weâd make a great team.
In dating breakups, itâs common to hear, âItâs not you; itâs me.â Much of the time, itâs not necessarily one or the other whoâs in the wrong; the two are just not a match. Chemistry applies to working relationships, too. You want to be a match with your boss and your teammates. They want the same.
When youâre interviewing for a job, you might not have a chance to know whether youâre a chemistry match with the team. But, you should have a good feel regarding the chemistry you have with the person or people interviewing you. Most of the time, these are the people youâll work for and with. Pay attention to the matching of personality and style, and point out that you believe the chemistry is there.
Example
P = Point = âItâs important for team members and leaders to have good chemistry, and I sense that we have thatâââthat we mesh well.â
R = Reason = âIâve worked for a boss that just didnât âget me,â and I never felt like we were on the same page. It made the work environment difficult at times.â
E = Evidence = âI wouldnât pursue this role if I didnât think that we would work well together, but I think we âget each otherâ and see eye to eye on the things that matter.â
P = Point (again) = âI truly enjoy our interactions. I trust that energy will extend to the whole team, which makes for a positive work experience for everyone.â
#5: A Character Fit
How to answer âWhy should we hire you?âââââBecause I work hard, and you can depend on me.â
Your prospective employer is probably not worried that youâre going to embezzle millions of dollars or set the office on fire when you have a bad day. But, theyâll want to be assured that they can count on you to show up, work hard, deliver as promised, and be a team player.
Example
P = Point = âThe team can depend on me to do my part and to support them in their roles.â
R = Reason = âI know what itâs like to serve on a team that has trust in each other, and I wouldnât have it any other way.â
E = Evidence = âThe job feedback I get most is that Iâm dependable and trustworthy.â
P = Point (again) = âYou can count on my to give my best.â
Bringing It All Together
Even though youâre covering five different areas, your response doesnât need to go on and on. Youâll have a chance to elaborate in other parts of the interview. When you consider how to answer âWhy should we hire you?â regard it as an opportunity to show your prospective employer that youâre taking all five aspects into account and that youâre a fit in every way, not just one or two ways.
This is just a framework. Itâs important that you use your own words. Itâs also critical that youâre sincere in your answers. If you donât truly buy into the organizationâs vision, for example, donât say that you do. (That should be an indicator to you that this isnât the right fit.) Insincerity will not serve you or your prospective employer well. Be yourself. Show them the real person they might be hiring.
Practicing Your Response
Now that you have a framework and some examples, youâre ready to make this your own. Do the homework necessary to understand the organization and the role. Determine what you want to say. Then, use Yoodliâs free and fun AI tool to practice with the transcript to memorize your answer and to gain awareness of your filler words, noninclusive language, body language, and more. You also can get more interviewing tips that will help set you apart from the crowd. Youâve got this!
Most people know that practicing and rehearsing common interview questions is important. After all, you want to make sure you sound polished and professional when youâre meeting potential employers. But thereâs another good reason to go over your answers ahead of time: it can help you to identify any areas where you need more preparation.
Interviewers often ask questions that are designed to trip up candidates who arenât well prepared, and if you canât think of a good answer on the spot, it can reflect poorly on your skills and qualifications. By taking the time to practice your answers in advance, you can avoid those costly mistakes and give yourself the best chance of landing the job.
#1: Tell me about yourself
When it comes to interviews, thereâs one question that tends to trip people up more than any other: âTell me about yourself.â On the surface, it seems like a simple enough question. But when youâre put on the spot, it can be difficult to know how to answer. Do you give a brief overview of your background and experience? Do you try to highlight your most impressive achievements? Or do you simply focus on giving the interviewer a sense of your personality?
The best way to approach this question is to give a brief overview of your background and history. This doesnât need to be an exhaustive list of everything youâve ever done; just hit the highlights. For example, you might mention where you grew up, where you went to school, and any relevant work experience you have. This will give the interviewer a good sense of who you are and where you come from.
Once youâve covered the basics, itâs also important to focus on giving the interviewer a sense of your personality. This is your chance to really sell yourself and make a good impression. Talk about what motivates you and what drives you to do your best work. Be enthusiastic and positive, and let your unique personality shine through. If you can do that, youâll be sure to make a great impression.
How to answer “Tell me about yourself”
#2: What are your greatest strengths?
When it comes to nailing a job interview, being prepared to answer common questions is key. And one question youâre almost guaranteed to get asked is âWhat are your greatest strengths?â Answering this question well can help you land the job, so itâs important to take some time to think about how youâll respond.
Start by brainstorming a list of your strengths. These can be skills, qualities or attributes that you have that make you good at your job. Once you have a list, choose one or two strengths that you think will be most relevant to the role youâre interviewing for.
Once youâve chosen your strengths, give a specific example of each one. For instance, if you say that youâre a good problem solver, share a story about a time when you successfully identified and resolved an issue at work. Be sure to keep your examples brief and to the pointâââyou donât want to go off on a tangent during your interview!
Answering the âWhat are your greatest strengths?â question doesnât have to be complicated. By taking some time to think about your strengths in advance and preparing some specific examples, you can confidently answer this question and impress your interviewer.
How to answer “What is your greatest strength”
#3: What are your greatest weaknesses?
When interviewers ask about your greatest weaknesses, theyâre usually looking for two things: honesty and self-awareness. So, the key to answering this question is to be honest about a real weakness while also showing that youâre aware of it and working to improve. For example, you might say something like: âI tend to get overwhelmed when I have a lot of projects going on at once. Iâm working on getting better at time management and prioritizing so that I can handle multiple responsibilities more effectively.â By admitting a genuine weakness and showing that youâre taking steps to improve, youâll demonstrate both honesty and self-awarenessâââtwo qualities that interviewers are sure to value.
#4: How do you deal with pressure?
Many job seekers find themselves stumped when asked how they handle pressure in an interview. After all, no one wants to admit that they crumble under pressure! However, the key to answering this question is to focus on how you use pressure to your advantage. For example, you might say something like: âI actually work better under pressure because it helps me to focus and stay organized. I find that if I have a clear plan and timeline, I can stay calm and meet deadlines.â or âIâve found that a little bit of pressure actually helps me to stay motivated and perform at my best. I know that if Iâm feeling a little bit of pressure, it means that my employer thinks Iâm up for the challenge.â By showing that youâre able to use pressure to your advantage, youâll demonstrate that youâre a confident and capable candidate who is ready for anything.
#5: Tell me about a tell you overcame an obstacle
The âtell me about a time you overcame an obstacleâ interview question is a great way for employers to learn more about how you deal with challenges. The key to answering this question well is to choose an obstacle that you were actually able to overcome. For example, you might talk about a time when you had to switch gears on a project at the last minute or when you had to deal with a difficult customer. Whatever obstacle you choose, be sure to describe the actual steps you took to overcome it. This will show that youâre capable of handling challenges in a constructive way. Finally, make sure to end on a positive note by highlighting what you learned from the experience or how it made you better at your job.
#6: Where do you see yourself in five years?
The best way to answer the question âWhere do you see yourself in five years?â in an interview is to discuss your long-term career goals and how the role youâre interviewing for will help you achieve them. You can also talk about how you hope to grow and develop within the company over time. Itâs important to avoid sounding like youâre only interested in the job for the short term, or that youâre not committed to staying with the company for the long haul. Instead, focus on how the position will help you grow and develop as a professional, and how you plan to contribute to the companyâs success over the long term. By taking this approach, youâll show that youâre serious about your career and that you have a clear vision for your future.
#7: Why do you want to work for us?
If youâre asked the âWhy do you want to work for us?â question in an interview, itâs important to be prepared with a good answer. Start by doing your research on the company. What are their core values and vision? How does your role fit into that? Be sure to articulate how working for this company aligns with your own goals and values. For example, if youâre passionate about environmental sustainability, you might want to highlight how the companyâs green initiatives align with your own beliefs. Ultimately, the interviewer is looking to see if youâre a good fit for the company, so be sure to emphasize why you would be an asset to their team.
Practice now with Yoodli
Practice these interview questions with Yoodli, and stand out from the sea of applicants! By rehearsing your answers, you will feel more confident and showcase the best version of yourself. Good luck with your interview đ
In the fast-paced, constantly-connected world we live in today, communication skills are more important than ever. With technology making it possible to communicate with people all over the globe instantly, itâs never been easier to connect with othersâââbut itâs also never been more important to be able to communicate effectively.
Whether youâre networking for business or personal reasons, pitching an idea or trying to close a deal, being able to communicate clearly, concisely and confidently is essential. In an increasingly competitive world, good communication skills can give you the edge you need to succeed.
1. Active Listening
Start by honing your listening skills. Many people think that communication is all about talking, but itâs just as important to be a good listener. Pay attention to the person youâre speaking to, make eye contact, and resist the urge to interrupt. Not only will this show that youâre interested in what the other person has to say, but it will also give you a chance to really process and understand what theyâre trying to communicate.
Be fully present when youâre speaking to someone, and try to put aside any distractions. If youâre finding it difficult to focus, try repeating back what the other person has said to show that youâre engaged in the conversation.
It can also be helpful to summarize whatâs been said at the end of a discussion to ensure that both parties are on the same page.
2. Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Itâs an important part of communication, as it allows you to see things from the other personâs perspective and build a connection with them. When communicating with someone, try to put yourself in their shoes and see things from their point of view. This can help you to better understand their needs and how best to communicate with them.
3. Nonverbal Communication
Your body language and tone of voice can say just as much as the words you use. When youâre communicating with someone, be aware of your nonverbal cues and try to send out positive signals. By using positive body language, youâll come across Keep your posture open and relaxed, make eye contact, smile, and avoid crossing your arms or legs.
Body language is a form of communication that involves sending and receiving nonverbal cues. It can include facial expressions, hand gestures, posture, and eye contact. When used effectively, body language can help you to build rapport, convey confidence, and show interest. However, it can also be easily misread, so itâs important to be aware of the potential meanings of different gestures. For example, crossing your arms may signal that youâre closed off or indifferent, while making direct eye contact can convey interest or assertiveness. By understanding the various forms of body language, you can become a more effective communicator in both personal and professional interactions.
4. Clarity
Once youâve mastered the art of active listening, itâs time to focus on your own communication skills. When speaking, make sure to enunciate clearly and use language that is easy to understand. Avoid jargon and acronyms, and donât be afraid to ask for clarification if youâre not sure what someone means. Itâs also important to be conciseâââget to the point quickly without rambling or beating around the bush. This can be difficult, especially if youâre nervous or not used to communicating in a clear, direct way. Practice makes perfect, so try to make a conscious effort to speak more clearly
5. Assertiveness
Itâs important to find a balance between being too passive and too aggressive when communicating with others. If youâre too passive, you may come across as timid or scared, while being too aggressive can make you seem pushy or rude. Assertiveness is the happy medium between these two extremesâââit involves being confident and direct without being overbearing. When communicating with others, try to be assertive in your tone and body language. This will help you to get your point across without seeming like youâre trying to steamroll the other person.
6. Be concise
Whether youâre communicating with a colleague, friend, or family member, itâs important to be clear and concise. This doesnât mean that you have to sacrifice efficiency for brevityâââin fact, often the opposite is true. By being clear and concise in your communication, you can avoid misunderstandings and get your message across more effectively. So next time you need to communicate something, take a moment to think about how you can say it more clearly and concisely. Your message will be better receivedâââand youâll save everyone involved a lot of time and frustration.
7. Pace yourself
When communicating, itâs important to pace yourself. This means speaking at a rate that is comfortable for both you and the person youâre talking to. If you speak too quickly, the other person may have difficulty understanding you. On the other hand, speaking too slowly can make you seem bored or uninterested. The key is to find a middle groundâââa pace that keeps both parties engaged without being too fast or slow.
8. Word choice
Pay attention to your word choice. Do you tend to repeat yourself? Do you overuse certain filler words? Are you using non-inclusive language like guys (gender non-inclusive)?
Filler words are particularly detrimental to good communication.They are words or sounds that we use to fill up space in a conversation that lack inherent meaning. Examples of filler words include âum,â âuh,â and âlike.â Using too many filler words can make you seem nervous or unsure of yourself. It can also make it difficult for the other person to understand you. So next time youâre communicating, try to be aware of your use of filler words. If you find yourself using them too often, take a pause and take a breath before continuing. This will help you to sound more confident and avoid confusing the other person.
9. Practice!
Communication is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice to perfect. If you want to improve your communication skills, start by practicing with friends and family. Once youâre more comfortable, try branching out and communicating with strangers or people you donât know well. The more you practice, the better youâll become at communicating effectively. And who knowsâââwith enough practice, you might even find yourself enjoying it!
10. Ask for feedback
If youâre not sure how youâre coming across, donât be afraid to ask for feedback. This can be from friends, family, or even strangers. After all, communication is a two-way streetâââif the other person doesnât understand what youâre trying to say, itâs not their fault, itâs yours. So next time youâre in a conversation, take a step back and ask yourself how itâs going. If youâre not getting the response you want, try rephrasing your message or asking the other person if they understand what you mean. And if all else fails, donât hesitate to ask them directly for feedback. They might just surprise you with how helpful they can be.
Wrapping Up
Communication is an important skill that takes practice to perfect. By understanding the different forms of body language and practicing empathy, you can become a more effective communicator. And by being clear and concise in your communication, you can avoid misunderstandings and get your message across more effectively. So next time you need to communicate something, remember these tips and try to put them into practice. With enough practice, youâll be a communication pro in no time!
After a long process of sending out resumes and waiting for responses, you finally hear back from your dream company. They want to schedule an interview with you! You are excited and nervous all at the same time. This is natural, but there are proven ways to help relieve that anxiety. Here are nine actionable steps you can take to lower your interview anxiety.
1. Go for a walk.
Walking helps to clear your mind and gives you time to think about your answers to tough questions. It also helps to boost your energy levels, so youâll be more alert during the interview. And even if walking doesnât completely calm your nerves, it will at least help you to burn off some of that excess energy. So if youâre feeling nervous about an interview, lace up your shoes and go for a walk. It just might be the thing that helps you land the job.
2. Have a plan.
Plan the day of your interview. Get plenty of rest leading up to the interview. Being well rested will help you feel more alert and relaxed. Know what you are going to wear, eat and the location of the interview. Having the logistics on auto-pilot will put you at ease and help you focus your attention on the role. Arrive early to the interview, so you have time to calm down and collect yourself.
3. Research the company.
Do your research on the company before the interview. Knowing about the companyâs history, what they do, recent and their values will help you feel more prepared and confident. Find the interviewer on LinkedIn and see what they care about. This will help you connect with them on a personal level and make a good impression.
4. Remember your value.
The company is looking to hire for a role and they found your resume impressive. You already have a head start! Remembering your skills and experience will help you feel more confident going into the interview.
Write down your unique traits and highlight what you bring to the company. Hype yourself up for the big moment!
5. Practice responses to common questions.
Practice answering common interview questions. This will help you feel more comfortable when answering questions in person. Most interviews will ask a variation of the following questions:
Tell me about yourself
What is your greatest strength?
What is an area of improvement?
Tell me about a time when you overcame a challenge
Why should we hire you?
Why do you want to work for our company?
Rather than memorizing answers, have a few impactful stories that can be molded to the question. Stories are more powerful than facts. Once you finalize those stories, practice the delivery and mechanics to make sure you are conveying your responses in a calm, and confident manner. You want to aim for a conversational pace and reduce any filler or hedging words that might weaken your responses.
You can practice on a free tool like Yoodli to get instant A.I feedback.
6. Prepare questions.
Just as it is important to prepare answers for common questions, you should also come up with thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the company and the role. This will show that you are invested in the interview and the company. It will also give you something to focus on instead of your nerves.
Try to personalize these questions so that the interviewer has a chance to provide their input. Here are some sample questions you can ask:
Where do you see the future of the company going?
What are the expectations for this role? What metrics will be measured
What are your thoughts on the culture of the company?
How would you describe the companyâs values?
Whatâs your favorite part of working here?
Use these as an opportunity to showcase values that are important to you and shed light into the way you think and make decisions.
7. Visualize yourself succeeding.
Before the interview, close your eyes and visualize yourself succeeding. See yourself confidently answering questions and nailing the interview. This will help increase your self-confidence and ease some of your anxiety.
8. Deep, slow breathes.
If you start to feel anxious during the interview, take a few deep breaths. This will help you relax and refocus your attention on the response. When anxiety is high, itâs difficult to focus on anything else besides the source of that anxiety. In an interview setting, this can be scary. Instead of appearing calm and collected, the anxious individual may seem scattered and nervy.
Deep, slow breathes are a simple way to combat this jittery feeling and return focus to the conversation at hand. When done correctly, deep breaths help to lower heart rate and blood pressure, both of which can be elevated during moments of stress. Additionally, proper breathing helps to oxygenate the body and brain, leading to a sense of calm and clarity. By taking a few deep breaths before heading into your interview, you can set yourself up for a successful meeting.
9. Adopt a power pose.
Research has shown that adopting powerful poses or stances can help to calm interview anxiety. For example, standing tall with your shoulders back and your hands on your hips can help to create a sense of power and confidence. This type of pose can help to improve your mood and reduce stress levels, which can in turn help you to perform better during your interview.
One of the most stressful things in the world is interviewing for a new job. You are under pressure to make a good impression and convince the interviewers that you are the best candidate for the position. These are just a few of the many things you can do to calm interview anxiety. By preparing in advance, practicing your delivery, and adopting a positive attitude, you can increase your chances of success. Remember, everyone gets nervous before an interview. The key is to not let your nerves get the best of you!
