Speaking in public is a terror to many, including college students and graduates. Actually, this particular phobia even got its own psychological name, glossophobia. And even though some can avoid public speaking, this is often not a matter of choice since many colleges nowadays incorporate presentations and speeches into their curriculum.
Perhaps you have joined a seminar or for any other reason, need to stand in front of others and speak publicly. Sometimes a speech is not something that can be taken lightly since the goal of the presenter is not only to speak of a topic, but make people interested in hiring them based on the presentation. Our seven speech tips will help you improve your public speaking and give you a better shot at getting your dream job.
1. Always Be Prepared
Not even the best world speakers can give a good presentation without planning ahead. What usually looks as a speech that came naturally is an improvisation of an already existing idea. If you are about to stand in front of others and speak, you must at least have an idea of what you are about to talk about.
The best way to be prepared is to research a lot and understand your topic. In this way, you will not only be able to choose the best way to present it, but will also be more informed in case someone decides to ask a question or open a debate.
Preparation leads to increased level of confidence. If you neglect to learn about the information you are about to present, your audience can immediately sense it.
2. Pay Attention to the Way You Look
Your outfit should reflect the environment in which you make a speech, so being presentable does not necessarily mean you need to wear a suit. As a person who is about to give a speech, you should pay special attention to the way you look because this has a huge impact on how the people will react to your presentation.
A second part of how are people perceived while presenting is the body language. Body language is the form of non-verbal communication that gives people almost the equal amount of information as words. Learning body language can certainly help you present yourself in the best possible light, but is also a great way to reinforce what you are talking about.
3. Do Not Read
No one enjoys or listens to a speaker that buries their face in notes and scripts. Of course, you can use notes as a reminder, but you should never read while giving a speech! Sometimes it is better to improvise than to read with the goal of capturing your text word for word. Listeners will appreciate a natural and relaxed way of presenting an idea and you will definitely not risk boring them.
In order to avoid even needing to read, you should practice your speech many times before the official presentation.
4. Slow Down
One of the biggest mistakes people make when presenting something is going too fast. Your speech may be the best there is, but no one will hear it if you do not slow down.
Speaking fast is common and understandable since many people are nervous when speaking in public. The burden of having to say every piece of information you planned to share with the audience often causes people to rush through their essay, which makes it hard to understand.
When speaking in front of others, speak slower than you find it to be comfortable. Take your time and make small pauses in order to eliminate using those irritating phrases such as um, like, er, you know, etc.
5. Be Yourself
Never try to imitate another speaker or someone you know. When speaking in front of others, always be yourself. In this way, you will be able to present your authenticity to potential employers and who knows; maybe a person with your exact qualities is exactly what they are looking for!
6. Be Personal
One way to add a personal touch to your speech is humor. A little humor has not harmed anyone and does not mean that you are less professional. If you find a good spot for humor in your presentation, this can make everything better.
Also, telling stories is known to build trust and make connections with the listeners. Share some story with your audience to show them your personality and evoke some emotion. If the story is funny, this will cause laughter. If it is happy or sad, they may relate to it. And most importantly, if your story is inspirational, they will never forget it.
7. Think of a Strong Finish
A speech is nothing without a strong finish. In order to have a fully satisfying effect on your audience, you have to finish strong. Once you leave the stage and stop speaking, people should have the feeling that they have learned something and connected with you.
Even if you decide to improvise your speech when you get on stage, the ending is something you must prepare for ahead. In this way, regardless of how you will present your topic, you will always have something to aim towards.
Giving a speech in front of others is a hard job, especially if you need this speech to be perfect in order for you to get the perfect job. The impression your audience will have of your appearance, body language, personality and writing skills should be amazing, which means you need to make sure that everything goes smoothly. Follow these seven tips on how to write your speech and get the job you aim for!
