Interviewers will often ask behavioral questions to learn more about a candidate. These questions require the interviewee to describe past behavior to illustrate how they are likely to behave in a similar situation. Example: Describe a time you faced a conflict …

Job Seekers: How to Use the STAR Method to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions. Read more »

Speeches and presentations are heard, not read, and listeners only have the speaker’s words to guide them. It is up to the speakers to lead listeners through the material. The more organized the material, the greater the chance listeners will …

To Keep Your Listeners Engaged, Organize Your Presentation/Speech. Read more »

*Start Strong:Regardless of your skill level, avoid starting a presentation or speech with an apology. Don’t begin by telling colleagues that you’ve never done this before. Hold back from asking for their understanding if you make mistakes or stumble. Prepare a strong …

Start Strong, No Excuses, and Delay the Post-Mortem. Read more »

When undertaking a presentation, we plan for success. We should also be thinking about and preparing for things that could go wrong. Before you host a virtual workshop, teach an online class, make a video, give a presentation or live-stream, …

Prepare for Things To Go Wrong. Read more »

Whether we like it or not, we are often judged by our accent. Not only do people make assumptions about English-speaking foreigners and second-language speakers, but they may also base their beliefs on nothing more than a regional accent—Southern accent, …

Accent Reduction: Good or Bad Idea? Read more »

Most speakers have experienced brain freeze. Your mind blanks, your brain stops working, and all you hear is white noise.   Why does it happen: Anxiety. The speaker feels anxious and unsure. Pacing. The speaker talks so quickly that the …

Brain Freeze! How to Stop It and How to Handle It. Read more »

Phone calls will always remain a key part of business communications. Whether you are making a sales pitch, connecting with a long-standing client, or doing an initial job interview, having strong phone skills will help you achieve your goal. Preparation: …

My Top 5 Tips for How to Make Effective and Productive Phone Calls. Read more »

Body language is a critical part of our public speaking skills. In business meetings, before we open our mouths, our body language speaks volumes. When business is conducted virtually, we need to remind ourselves we aren’t alone but part of …

Make Sure Your Body Language Is Sending the Right Message in Meetings. Read more »

There are occasions when a speaker has to work from a prepared script. However, the goal is still to come across as natural and authentic while maintaining good eye contact. To ensure you engage and connect with your audience, follow …

How to Read Your Speech or Presentation and Still Sound Natural. Read more »

Business speaking requires a level of professionalism. When a speaker introduces a weak speech pattern, it can hurt their credibility and undermine their message. The three key patterns to avoid are: Hedges: sort of, kind of, pretty much, maybe. These words …

3 Speaking Habits That Lessen Your Credibility. Read more »