The art of oratory, the ability to speak well in public, is a crucial element for success in various professional situations, especially during job interviews. The capacity to communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively can be the differentiating factor that makes a candidate stand out from the rest. 

The importance of public speaking in job interviews.

Communication is a fundamental skill in the workplace. During a job interview, the candidate has the opportunity to demonstrate their technical qualifications, as well as their interpersonal skills and their ability to express themselves clearly and confidently. 

Employers seek professionals who can communicate ideas effectively, collaborate with colleagues, and present solutions persuasively. Therefore, investing in the development of public speaking skills can be a major competitive advantage.

Preparation: The key to success

Preparation is essential for a successful performance in any job interview. The first step involves researching the company and the position you are applying for. 

Understanding the organizational culture, values, and products or services offered by the company will allow you to align your responses with the employer's expectations.

In addition, practice your answers to the most common job interview questions. Questions such as "Tell me about yourself," "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" and "Why do you want to work here?" are frequently asked. 

When practicing your answers, focus on clarity, logical structure, and conciseness. Use concrete examples to illustrate your skills and achievements.

The power of body language

Nonverbal communication plays a significant role in how we are perceived by others. During a job interview, body language can reinforce or contradict what is being said verbally. Therefore, it is crucial to be attentive to these signals.

Maintain an upright and confident posture, with relaxed shoulders. Eye contact is essential to establish a connection with the interviewer and demonstrate interest and engagement. Avoid excessive hand gestures, which can be distracting. A genuine and appropriate smile can convey friendliness and confidence.

The art of listening

THE oratory It's not just about speaking well, but also about knowing how to listen. Demonstrating that you are paying attention to what the interviewer is saying is crucial for effective communication. This shows respect and allows you to respond in a more relevant and accurate way.

Practice active listening, which involves nodding, maintaining eye contact, and making brief confirming comments such as "I understand" or "sure." Also, avoid interrupting the interviewer. If you need clarification on a question, wait until they have finished speaking before asking your questions.

Structuring responses: The STAR technique

An effective technique for structuring your answers in an interview is the STAR method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This approach helps you organize your ideas logically and provide complete and detailed answers.

  • SituationDescribe the context or challenge you faced.
  • TaskExplain the task or objective you needed to achieve.
  • ActionDetail the specific actions you took to address the situation.
  • ResultReport the results obtained, highlighting the benefits and lessons learned.

For example, if asked about a challenging project, you could answer: “In my last job, the company was facing a drop in sales (Situation). My goal was to increase sales by 20% within six months (Task). To do this, I developed a new digital marketing strategy, focused on social media campaigns and website optimization (Action). As a result, sales increased by 25% within the stipulated period (Result).”

Time management

Time is a limited resource in a job interview. It's important to be concise and to the point, without sacrificing clarity and completeness in your answers. Prolific answers can distract from the conversation and bore the interviewer. On the other hand, very short answers can seem superficial and indicate a lack of interest or preparation.

A good practice is to divide your time between listening and speaking. This creates a healthy balance and allows you to respond appropriately without monopolizing the conversation. Remember to take short pauses to breathe and organize your thoughts before responding.

How to deal with difficult questions

In a job interview, it's common to encounter challenging questions that can test your quick thinking and resilience. Questions like "Why did you leave your last job?" or "What was your biggest professional failure?" require a careful approach.

To answer these questions, remain honest without damaging your professional image. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects, highlight what you learned from the experience and how it contributed to your development. 

For example, when talking about a failure, you could say: “Early in my career, I underestimated the complexity of a project, which led to a delay in delivery. However, I learned the importance of detailed planning and clear communication with the team, and since then, I have implemented these practices in all my projects.”

The importance of feedback

Seeking feedback after job interviews can be a valuable tool for improving your public speaking skills. If possible, ask the interviewer for an evaluation of your performance and tips on how you can improve. 

This practice demonstrates your commitment to continuous professional development and your willingness to learn from experience.

Additionally, ask colleagues, friends, or mentors for feedback after practicing your interview answers. They can offer an outside perspective and identify areas you may not have noticed.

Practice and persistence

Public speaking is a skill that can be improved with continuous practice and dedication. Participate in discussion groups, communication courses, or public speaking clubs, such as Toastmasters, to gain confidence and receive constructive feedback. The more you practice, the more natural your communication will become.

Remember that nervousness is normal, especially in high-pressure situations like job interviews. Consistent practice will help reduce anxiety and increase your confidence.

Developing public speaking skills

Developing public speaking skills is essential for excelling in job interviews and professional life in general. 

Careful preparation, effective use of body language, active listening, clear structuring of responses, and the constant search for feedback are fundamental elements for effective communication. 

With practice and persistence, you can improve your public speaking skills and increase your chances of success in your next job interviews. 

See also: Job openings in Piracanjuba: More than 40 open opportunities

August 6, 2024