We’re all guilty of using “great communication skills:, or “listing “verbal communication skills” as one of our top traits on our resumes but are we as great at communicating with others as we think we are? Is claiming to have great communication skills the equivalent of greeting someone by asking “how are you” even though we have no real desire to actually hear about their lives?
Over the years I’ve learned that most candidates don’t put much thought into whether or not they actually possess the skills that they claim that they have. They just want to land the job and will tell us (hiring managers) whatever they think that we want to hear. Listing verbal communication skills on a resume or mentioning how great your communication skills are during a job interview has become second nature for most of us. The general consensus is that every job requires some form of communication with others, and that it is important for the “right candidate” to demonstrate this skill in order to land a job
Many candidates destroy their chances of getting hired before they even get a chance to complete the aface to face interview. When I’m interviewing for job openings my assessment of a candidate’s communication skills begins the minute I initiate contact. Candidates can be so prepared for their job interview that they do well at hiding their shortcomings. Candidates prepare for the actual interview but not the initial phone call. The first few conversations parent Hiring Managers with the perfect opportunity to learn the most about a candidate’s communication skills. It offers a chance to observe how candidates answer the phone, whether or not they adjust their tone once they realize that its a potential new job calling, and how they respond to an initial unexpected phone screening.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, are currently employed, or hoping to land a new job, these 4 tips will hep you to assess your verbal communication skills.
1. Listen with a purpose
Verbal communication involves two main components. Speech is the most evident of the two. Listening is the second component. No matter how well a statement is constructed it will fall onto deaf ears if it is irrelevant to the conversation and/or
misconstrued. Your goal is to not only convey clear statements that are easy to follow, but also to demonstrate that you understand the information that is also being told to you. This can be done by paraphrasing key points of what the other person has stated, stating that you understand, or by adding to the conversation.
2. It’s not what you say but how you say it
Tone, speed, grammar, and attitude can change the impact of a statement. No one is receptive to a rough tone. Avoid saying too much when you are angry, and process a situation or discrepancy prior to addressing it. If you will be arguing your case then it is also wise to be prepared to hear things that may not please you. Being aware of your feelings on a matter will help you to determine the best way to respond without displaying any annoyance. Slang completely changes the meaning of words and sentences. Avoid using slang especially with people from other cultures. The meaning of a word can have a completely different meaning to someone from another side of town, race, culture,and even sex and sexual orientation. Lastly check your attitude. Believe or not you can have a soft tone and a poor attitude. You can also have a cheerful attitude that may be perceived as an aggressive tone. One way to keep your attitude in check is to avoid making emotionally charged statements that are acceptable to misinterpretation.
3. No one likes a know it all
When it comes to verbal communication being well versed in a subject does not make you a great communicator. Verbal communication is not about what you know but how you share it. Focus on making clear statements, matching your audience’s vocabulary, not hogging the conversation, and processing what is being shared with you during the conversation. Don’t put all of your energy into proving how smart your are especially during the interview process.
4. No interruptions please!
There will be times when you are eager to get ge your point across, especially when differences in opinions arise. If you are completing every sentence the other sentence that the other person makes, or cutting their sentence short to add your two cents in then you are failing at this whole verbal communication thing. Effective communicators redirects the conversation when it is required (i.e one person is dominating the conversation and does not allow anyone else to speak).
Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Verbal communication is often overlooked in the hiring process because every candidate claims to possess this skill. Don’t just assume thaty recruiters and hiring mangers will take your word for it, proving that you are indeed a good communicator occurs during your interactions with recruiters, hiring mangers, and anyone that you encounter on the day of your job interview.