After hunting down jobs, tons of updates to your résumé and going to more networking event than you could have imagined, you’ve finally got an interview. After brief small talk you are completely tongue tied… it is not like it is a hard question that was asked. You just got flustered!

In stressful situations like interviewing for a job, people often fall back to filler garbage words such as “like”, “umm”, “ahh”,  “you know,”or “actually,” and even strage sounds. Anything to slow the progress and regain their train of though.

We have all done it before… probably during a regular conversion you might use a few of these words.  The real problem comes from using them too much and at the wrong times. Use these words to often during a job interview and you might be viewed as a person who has difficulty organizing your thoughts or someone who has trouble focusing.  Issues that probably will not land you the job you are hoping for.

Self-awareness is a crucial step toward solving these speech patterns that disrupt the flow of a conversation, so here are six tips that we hope will help.

6 Ways to Stop Getting Flustered During Interviews:

1. Discover your verbal communication issues: by recording yourself as part of a mock interview. That way you can go back and listen for where you stumble and what common filler words you use..

2. Prepare simple notes: Notes that are about yourself and keep them tucked neatly inside your portfolio. Discreetly refer to your notes to keep the flow of conversation going smoothly.

3. Remember on your breathing: By actively remembering to take replenishing breaths between phrases so you can use complete words instead of sounds (uhhhh breathe).  This slows down your conversation and allows you concentrate on what you’re going to say next.

4. Change distracting behaviors: Try to smile instead of laugh… this takes practice but replacing your distracting behaviors with pleasant ones will help you connect with the interviewer.

5. Wear a watch or ring: Use it to fidget it with descreatly. Studies show this actually increases focus on your current thoughts.

6. Join a speech group: This one is key, just practice practice practice.  By forcing yourself to give speeches it leads to practice and great improves in your verbal communication skills.

With these tips your “ahh” and “umm” days are over.   Good luck with your job hunt and thanks for reading.

AdminJobstar.com