How To Speak Well And Confidently
This article was co-authored by Amy Chapman, MA. Amy Chapman MA, CCC-SLP is a vocal therapist and singing voice specialist. Amy is a licensed and board certified speech & language pathologist who has dedicated her career to helping professionals improve and optimize their voice. Amy has lectured on voice optimization, speech, vocal health, and voice rehabilitation at universities across California, including UCLA, USC, Chapman University, Cal Poly Pomona, CSUF, CSULA. Amy is trained in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, Estill, LMRVT, and is a part of the American Speech and Hearing Association.There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 32 testimonials and 97% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 921,481 times.
Good communication is the key to success, whether you’re speaking in front of a large audience or trying to get a point across to a new friend. If you want to know how to speak well and confidently, you’ve got to believe in yourself, speak slowly and carefully, and have strong convictions about what you’re saying. If you want to know how to sound intelligent and thoughtful when you speak, then see Step 1 to get started.
Learn About The Company
It may be helpful to understand the company’s culture and what they do before the interview. Having this information may help you be more confident during the interview. You can study the website of the company, their social media posts and their recent press releases to get an understanding of their goals and then determine how the skills and experience you possess may make you the appropriate fit. It may be helpful to search for the mission statement and the overall objectives of the company so that you may speak about them during the interview.
Career And Job Search Help Blog
Youve landed an interview but youre having trouble communicating your ideas with confidence. Tharsheka Natkunam, one of our Career Coaches in Residence, shares some advice on how to speak confidently, especially during an interview.
So you want to know how to be a good speaker? A lot of times when we think of someone who is confident, we think they must be successful, that success equals confidence. I am going to tell you that is not true. Confidence comes from within.
How, you might ask? If I asked you:
- Who do you think of when you hear a confident speaker? Who comes to mind?
- What does this person do or talk like that makes you think they are a good speaker?
- Now think about a topic that you are really passionate or interested in. When you talk about that topic, how does it make you feel?
When you take your answers from these questions and put them together, that is what a confident speaker is: someone who knows what they are talking about and shows it. They speak from experience: experience equals confidence.
To speak with confidence in an interview, you need to convince the interviewer that you believe what you are talking about and are genuinely interested in the job. Try to apply that feeling of when you talk about something you are interested in to an interview. There are three things you need to speak with confidence:
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Practise Your Technical Skills
If you are appearing for an interview for a technical role, it is important to revise your technical skills. You may use various online resources available to review the technical terms and phrases from your industry. Being knowledgeable about the technical skills can help you be confident during your interview.
Burn Off Nervous Energy
Whether you like to lift weights, ride a bike, or go for a light jog, schedule some time to sweat out your nerves before your interview, suggests Augustine.
Exercise is a great way to burn off some nervous energy, so you dont bound into the interview with an overabundance of enthusiasm, she says. As an added bonus, the extra endorphins will help boost your mood and keep you in a positive state of mind.
While they can feel uncomfortable in the moment, nerves can be a good sign during an interview. When you want to make a good impression, its natural to feel excited, says Hyatt. One of my mentors told me when the butterflies in your stomach are no longer fluttering, it might not be the right position for you.
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Set The Stage For Success
Walking into job interviews on a mentally strong note is key to your success. Practice your talking points, and you’ll leave employers with a memorable impression of your capabilities. In fact, the more you prepare your answers, the more comfortable you’ll be. Could you use some help with that? Join Monster today. As a member, you’ll get interview insights, career advice, and job search tips sent directly to your inbox. Monster’s expert infohow craft strong answers to tricky interview questions, how to interpret job descriptions, and much morecan take some of the job-search stress off your shoulders and allow you to put your best self forward.
Phone Interview Tips To Stay Calm And Speak Confidently
Rachel Beohm has worked for over ten years in the communications field. She trains executives, HR professionals, speakers, and job seekers to present themselves powerfully through the use of nonverbal communication skills so they can achieve their goals. She coaches clients one-on-one in downtown Portland, OR, provides blogs and other resources online, and delivers workshops and keynotes across the country.
Rachel is active on , , , and Medium. She also blogs regularly at her website: www.rachelbeohm.com.
Meeting face-to-face for an interview is currently out of the question for most industries. However, interviews over the phone can be just as daunting as meeting in person.
Why?
Theyre often short, so you feel pressured to make the most of the time. You cant see your interviewers body language or facial expressions, which makes it harder to build rapport and gauge receptivity. And that reduced nonverbal communication can lead to interruptions or awkward silences.
It sounds like a recipe for disaster, but like any part of the job seeking process, you have more control than you think. Spending a little time preparing goes a long way toward helping you feel and sound calm and confident in your upcoming phone interview.
Below, I share a few suggestions for preparing in advance, and then some phone interview tips for once the call begins.
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Practice Answering Interview Questions At Home
Nothings comfortable the first time you do it. So practice everything above before youre sitting in front of the interviewer.
Practice your handshake, as mentioned earlier.
Practice how youll introduce yourself and answer, Tell me about yourself.
Practice delivering the questions you want to ask the company.
Practice how youll end the interview. .
The more you practice, the more youll feel confident in big moments.
Use Power Poses And Relaxation Exercises To Curb Anxiety
Use power poses before you go into the interview to help with nerves, says Claire Jenkins, founder of 121 Interview Coaching.
Focus on the present moment, either by concentrating on your breathing or on body sensations, for a few moments. It will help calm you down, says Thubten. In the interview also remember to speak slowly, as we tend to rush when we are nervous. Dont be afraid of silences. Sometimes leaving pauses in your sentences will help you command the situation better.
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Practice Your Tone Of Voice
When responding to the interviewers questions, or practicing at home, notice whether your voice goes higher at the end of each answer, as if youre asking a question.
This can be perceived as a lack of confidence in your answers.
Instead, ensure that your answers sound like confident statements, not questions.
Imagine a friend asked you what time it is, and you glanced at your phone and know the exact time. Give an example response aloud and notice your tone of voice at the end of the phrase. Sounds confident, right?
Thats what to aim for.
If you can make this one change, your entire interview will go better.
The Truth About Feeling Nervous For A Job Interview In English
When students tell me theyre nervous about a job interview in English, my advice is to own it and control it.
Job interviews are designed to make us nervous. We know someone will judge our answers. Plus, someone else has the power to give us something we really want a job or take it away.
Doing an interview in another language increases the challenge and the pressure. So its natural to feel nervous.
But the good news is, with the right preparation and practice, you can be in control, stay calm, and know that youre ready to an interview with confidence.
Here are the 4 steps to help you do that.
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Refine And Perfect Your English Job Interview
If you want to perfect your answers to questions for a job interview in English and feel confident, take your practice to another level.
When you practice aloud, record yourself, then listen and analyse.
Listening to yourself gives you the opportunity to feel comfortable with how you speak and fix anything you dont like.
Are you nervous about making mistakes during the interview? Record and listen to yourself to see what mistakes you make. Then practice to fix them and perfect your answer.
Worried about forgetting what to say in the interview? This process also gives you repetition so you lock the keywords and ideas in your mind.
Youll be certain of your answers and ready to interview in English with confidence.
Be Aware Of Your Body Language
It is important that you appear confident while speaking with the interviewer. Having appropriate body language can also be important to make a good first impression. You may start showcasing your positive body language from the time you enter the company premises. Be aware of your body language when you interact with the receptionist or HR. It can help to smile when you greet them.
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I Can Help You Say Yes To Feeling Confident And Ready For Your Job Interview In English
Thats exactly what I do and why Im here.
You already have the qualifications and skills for the job.
But English is stopping you. Fear of judgment. Fear of making mistakes. Fear that your English isnt good enough. Fear that youll forget everything.
But that can change.
For me, its not just about English. Its about you, your life, and the dreams you have for your future.
You dont need to wait to get the job you want.
The Confident Job Interview Course was essential for my success! It helped me to prepare myself for the questions during and at the end of the interview and my oral presentation. After reading, studying and practicing I felt truly confident for the big day.
During the interview and the other activities, I was relaxed and I knew if I performed as I had prepared, the position would be mine.
Immerse Yourself In Positivity
Right before the interview, listen to uplifting music, watch motivational YouTube videos, or read inspirational quotes, says A.J. Marsden, associate professor of human services and psychology at Beacon College. These types of primes can help boost your mood and your self-confidence, she says.
Recalling positive memories literally causes us to experience positive emotions, which makes us feel good, she says. Positive memories cause the brain to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter in our brain that is responsible for feeling pleasure and helping us think and plan. A big dump of dopamine right before an interview can improve mood, decrease stress and anxiety, and increase self-confidence.
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How To Be Confident In An Interview
Use breathing techniques. The key to exuding confidence is to show that youre cool, calm, and collected. Breathing and mindfulness exercises are a great way to keep your cool and think with a clear head.
While youre waiting for your interviewer, focus on taking deep breaths, and maybe try counting them. This will give you the chance to refocus on your strengths and qualifications instead of how nervous you are.
Plus, when you get super nervous and forget to breathe, it makes it even harder to speak and tell the interviewer all about how great you are. So do yourself a favor, and focus on your breathing.
Breathing deeply also helps oxygenate the blood . To help fully relax before the interview, try taking deep breaths through your nose until your stomach expands, then slowly release through your mouth.
Try to keep a clear mind throughout the process, and allow thoughts and anxieties that pop up to fade away, without judging yourself for having them.
Dont be fidgety. Nervous fidgeting is a dead giveaway that youre nervous or scared, so youre going to have to really pay attention to your body language.
During the interview, keep your hands together on the table or in your lap so they dont start tapping, twirling your hair, or squirming in another awkward way. Make sure not to shake your legs or your feet. If youre not sure what your nervous ticks are, ask close friends and family so you can be more self-aware.
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After all, you are often your worst critic. That way, not only will you be well-versed in what to do, you’ll also figure out which areas you need to improve on. Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now
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Dress For The Job You Want
Personal style combined with appropriate attire reflects your confidence, which can prepare you for a job interview. Begin by researching the company’s dress code. Choosing the right outfit and looking work-appropriate for your interview can help build self-confidence by dressing for the position you seek. Improving your confidence might help develop your sense of personal style.
If the dress code is formal, it’s advisable to wear a suit in neutral colours like black, navy, or grey. For a business casual dress code, it’s appropriate to wear dark jeans, button-up shirts, and slacks, provided that your clothing is clean and ironed. If you’re unsure of the dress code, always choose your more formal option to present yourself professionally and improve your confidence.
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Decide On Your Dress For The Interview
If you have the opportunity to speak with the HR manager before your interview, you may ask them about the dress code for the interview and dress accordingly. If you are not able to get this information and are unsure about what to wear, you can research what the employees of that company generally wear. As a safe option, you may choose to wear a business formal dress in case you are not able to find any info about the appropriate dress code.
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Why Confidence In An Interview Is Important
Confidence plays a big role in your interview performance. When you trust yourself, others around you naturally have an easier time trusting you. And since an interview is all about determining whether the company can trust you to do a good job, its downright essential that you dont appear unsure of yourself.
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Hiring managers and recruiters understand that interviews are anxiety-inducing and are willing to overlook a few interview jitters. Of course, if youre applying for a high-pressure and/or client-facing role, then there will be greater expectations for applicants to appear calm, collected, and even personable.
But for most roles, a dash of nervousness is A-okay its when you present as entirely unreliable due to excessive confidence issues that interviewers really take notice.
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While you may think confidence is something youre either born with or arent, its simply not true. Sure, some are naturally more comfortable in their skin, but confidence is a skill the more you practice it, the better you get. Its also a skill where fake it til you make it really applies.
Pause Before Answering Questions
Dont be afraid of silence. You will sound better if you take a second to breathe and think. Come up with a few phrases you can use to acknowledge the question before you pause and breathe. The examples below will buy you valuable time:
- Great question let me think about that
- Hmmm that sparks several thoughts
- Im going to consider that for a second
We worry about filling every second with words, but it takes confidence to be silent and it makes you sound smarter. Communicate confidence by giving yourself a moments pause before answering.
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