Communication and Your Job Search

In today's highly informational and technological environment it has become increasingly important to have good communication skills - Z. Hereford

How was your last interview?  Did you answer the questions well?  Did you understand what was being asked?  Did your body language communicate the message you wanted it to?  In other words, how were your communication skills?

Communication is the process by which we exchange information between individuals or groups of people. It is a process where we try as clearly and accurately as we can, to convey our thoughts, intentions and objectives.

Good communication skills are key to success in life, work and relationships. Without effective communication, a message can turn into error, misunderstanding, frustration, or even disaster by being misinterpreted or poorly delivered. Communication is successful only when both the sender and the receiver understand the same information.

The inability to communicate effectively will hold you back not only in your career, but in social and personal relationships as well.

Concise, clearer and more efficient communication reduces misunderstandings. The more clear the communicators in our workplace, the fewer mistakes we make, the fewer customers we upset. When we are clear, phrases like “I thought you meant” or “oh, now I understand” are rarely heard. 

Most conflict is the result of misunderstood communication. When you become an effective communicator, you can resolve conflict and create harmony by bridging the communication gaps that create conflict.   When we practice good communication skills, our relationships with other people will improve.

To be successful, a person requires an integrated set of communication skills. These skills are: writing skills, speaking skills, listening skills, and non verbal skills. If you need some help with your communication skills, check out a Toastmasters Club in your area.  Attending Toastmasters can help you develop your communication skills.

To your job search success,
Fran Watson

Career Options

Fortune Cookie



This is from the International Speech Contest - Toastmasters International and was the 2nd place speech. I loved it and wanted to share it with you.

It's up to you.... What will you do??

Fran Watson

P.S. For more information on Toastmasters Click here


Toastmasters District 61

Toastmasters Builds Leaders by Developing Communication Skills

How often have you heard the comment, “He or she is a born leader?” There are certain characteristics found in some people that seem to naturally put them in a position where they’re looked up to as a leader.

Whether in fact a person is born a leader or develops skills and abilities to become a leader is open for debate. There are some clear characteristics that are found in good leaders. These qualities can be developed or may be naturally part of their personality. Let us explore them further.

Seven Personal Qualities Found In A Good Leader

1. A good leader has an exemplary character. It is of utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honestly and integrity. A good leader “walks the talk” and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads.

2. A good leader is enthusiastic about their work or cause and also about their role as leader. People will respond more openly to a person of passion and dedication. Leaders need to be able to be a source of inspiration, and be a motivator towards the required action or cause. Although the responsibilities and roles of a leader may be different, the leader needs to be seen to be part of the team working towards the goal. This kind of leader will not be afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty.

3. A good leader is confident. In order to lead and set direction a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidence in others and draws out the trust and best efforts of the team to complete the task well. A leader who conveys confidence towards the proposed objective inspires the best effort from team members.

4. A leader also needs to function in an orderly and purposeful manner in situations of uncertainty. People look to the leader during times of uncertainty and unfamiliarity and find reassurance and security when the leader portrays confidence and a positive demeanor.

5. Good leaders are tolerant of ambiguity and remain calm, composed and steadfast to the main purpose. Storms, emotions, and crises come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps a cool head.

6. A good leader as well as keeping the main goal in focus is able to think analytically. Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. Not only is the goal in view but a good leader can break it down into manageable steps and make progress towards it.

7. A good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does not lead to success. The good leader not only maintains high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all areas.

These seven personal characteristics are foundational to good leadership. Some characteristics may be more naturally present in the personality of a leader. However, each of these characteristics can also be developed and strengthened. A good leader whether they naturally possess these qualities or not, will be diligent to consistently develop and strengthen them in their leadership role.

You can develop your leadership skills by becoming a more confident speaker. There are Toastmasters Clubs around the world and you can find one close to you by going to http://www.toastmasters.org and entering your information.

Rome was not built in a day and leadership takes time to develop as well.

Fran

P.S. For more tips on public speaking, Click here: http://www.franwatson.ca/publicspeaker.html

Expanding Your Horizons

It's important that you take risks when you are job searching, that you try something new and different instead of just sticking with what worked in the past. This poem is something I wrote about taking risks in Toastmasters, but it works no matter what you are doing. Be willing to try something new - a new taste sensation, a food you haven't tried before, a job that seems interesting, a book you haven't read... The possibilities are limitless and your personal growth will be tremendous if you try one new thing each and every day. By the end of the year you will have tried 365 new things. Some you will like, and some you won't, but you will have enhanced your capabilities.

You may not have heard about Toastmasters, but if you haven't, you should look it up at www.toastmasters.org and find the club nearest to you. Go and attend a ocuple of meetings. You will learn many new skills there which will help you in your job search. Toastmasters is all about communication - both speaking and listening. Members learn how to think on their feet and come up with answers to spontaneous questions. You will be amazed at how well this prepares you for interviews.

Trying Something New

Expand my horizons?
Oh no, I’m too scared,
I don’t think I’d know what to do.
I’ve grown used to the comfort
Of just coming and listening,
And maybe doing timing, or ah counting or quizzing.
But take on a role of Toastmaster, no way.
I might make mistakes. What would I say?
And table topics is frightening, people might boo,
When I introduce a topic or two.

Expand my horizons
Do you really think I could?
The thought just scares me to death.
Well, ok, not quite, but almost, but then,
That’s how I felt before I began
My weekly sessions at Toastmasters.
So maybe I can.
Ok, yes I’ll do it.
Sign me up.

I did it, I did it, and I did ok.
I really expanded my horizons today.
And it felt so good I’ll do it again,
Just give me that schedule
And I’ll put down my name.
Perhaps next week I’ll give my next speech
Or maybe even the word of the week.

My confidence grows with every new step,
And I look forward to things that I haven’t done yet.
I’m expanding my horizons and I’ll continue to soar,
As each week I’ll do something and then one thing more.

I want to say thank you to all of the group.
It’s because of you I was able to do it,
Because you supported me all the way through it.
Thank you for being there when I was afraid.
Thank you for helping me to be prepared.
Thank you for showing me how it is done.
Thank you for sharing and for having fun.

So expand your horizons and try something new.
Or you’ll never know just what you can do.


Here's to taking risks and facing challenges head on!!

Fran Watson

www.franwatson.ca/publicspeaking.html