Interview Skills

1. Communication skills

Communication skills are needed in virtually any job. Employers desire team members who can
successfully interpret what is being asked of them as well as effectively communicate with others.
Common communication skills to include on your resume include writing, speaking, listening and
negotiating.

2. Leadership skills

Leadership skills are one of the soft skills that many employers look for in candidates and that can be
helpful at all levels of your career. From managing a team to contributing to a project in a leadership
role, leadership skills help you motivate others and ensure tasks are completed promptly. Common
leadership skills to put on your resume include active listening, dependability, the ability to give and
receive feedback and patience.

3. Teamwork skills

Teamwork skills are an important asset to any employee who is part of an organization or who works
with other individuals in their daily operations. Regardless of your job title or industry, many employers
consider teamwork skills a must when reviewing applicants for an open position. Examples of
teamwork skills to highlight include collaboration, honesty, communication and responsibility.

4. Interpersonal skills

Interpersonal skills are skills that allow you to interact with and work well with others. Even if you
aren't in a position that requires you to work directly with customers, you still probably need to work
with colleagues and managers, making interpersonal skills important. These skills enable you to build
relationships, communicate effectively and handle situations in an appropriate manner. Interpersonal
skills that employers look for include motivation, flexibility and empathy.

5. Learning/adaptability skills

Learning skills are skills that enable you to learn new things and adapt to new situations within the
workplace. This is especially important given the ever-changing workplace and the need for employers
to stay competitive by implementing new initiatives. Having good learning and adaptability skills can
set you apart from other candidates and show employers your willingness to learn and change when
necessary. Examples of learning skills include collaboration, communication and critical thinking.

6. Self-management skills

Self-management skills are skills that allow you to manage your time and be as productive as possible
within the workplace. These skills ensure you prioritize tasks effectively, focus on your professional
growth and contribute to your organization as a whole. Good self-management skills to include on
your resume include time management, organization and self-motivation.

7. Organizational skills

Organizational skills are essential to an employee's productivity, time-management and goal

Nearly every occupation requires the use of a computer in some capacity. Many jobs require more in-
depth knowledge of computers, so including this skillset on your resume is necessary to show
employers you are familiar with computer basics at a minimum. If the job you are applying for requires
more advanced computer skills, be sure to highlight these on your resume as well if you possess them.
Computer skills to highlight include being able to use word processing, spreadsheets, social media,
data visualization and email communication.

9. Problem-solving skills

Problem-solving skills refer to the ability to manage challenging situations at work productively and
positively. This is especially important for employees who work in a large organization or as part of a
team, but they are often considered essential skills for nearly all occupations. Common problem-
solving skills to include on your resume are communication, decision making and research skills.

10. Open-mindedness

Open-mindedness is an important skill for anyone who is entering into a new position. Even if you have
held the same position at a previous company, the new company you work for may do things
differently. Being open-minded to learning a new way of performing your duties and being willing to
learn and try new things is essential for job candidates.

11. Strong work ethic

A strong work ethic is another excellent skill to highlight when applying for jobs. Employers want
employees who they can trust to perform their duties and meet deadlines without having to micro-
manage them. Having a great work ethic ensures you can complete your tasks and manage your work
effectively even when no one is regularly checking your progress.

Common pitfalls to avoid when outlining your speech

One of the most common mistakes that speakers make when outlining their speech is either including
too much or too little detail. Too much detail can make your outline cluttered, confusing, and hard to
follow. Too little detail can make your outline vague, incomplete, and unconvincing. To avoid this pitfall,
you should balance the level of detail in your outline according to your purpose, audience, and time
limit. A good rule of thumb is to use one sentence per main point and one phrase per subpoint. You
can also use keywords, symbols, or abbreviations to save space and highlight important information.

2. No clear hierarchy or order

Another common mistake that speakers make when outlining their speech is not having a clear
hierarchy or order of their points. A hierarchy shows the relationship between your main points and
subpoints, and how they support your thesis statement. An order shows the sequence or logic of your
points, and how they lead to your conclusion. To avoid this pitfall, you should use a consistent and
appropriate format for your outline, such as alphanumeric, decimal, or full-sentence. You should also
use transitions, signposts, and summaries to connect and reinforce your points.

3. No alignment with your goal and audience

A third common mistake that speakers make when outlining their speech is not aligning their outline
with their goal and audience. Your goal is what you want to achieve with your speech, such as to
inform, persuade, or entertain. Your audience is who you are speaking to, such as their background,
interests, and expectations. To avoid this pitfall, you should tailor your outline to your goal and
audience, by choosing relevant and appropriate topics, arguments, and examples. You should also
consider the tone, style, and language of your speech, and how they suit your purpose and audience.

4. No revision or feedback

A final common mistake that speakers make when outlining their speech is not revising or getting
feedback on their outline. Your outline is not a fixed or final document, but a flexible and dynamic tool
that can help you improve your speech. To avoid this pitfall, you should review and revise your outline
several times, checking for clarity, coherence, and completeness. You should also seek feedback from
others, such as your peers, instructors, or mentors, and incorporate their suggestions and critiques
into your outline.

5. Practice and prepare

One of the worst mistakes you can make as a public speaker is to wing it or improvise without proper
preparation. Even if you are an expert on your topic, you need to practice your speech several times,
preferably in front of a mirror, a recorder, or a friend. This will help you improve your delivery, timing,
pronunciation, and gestures. You also need to prepare your materials, such as slides, notes, or
handouts, and check the equipment and the venue beforehand. This will help you avoid technical
glitches, distractions, or surprises that can ruin your speech.

6. Be concise and clear

Another common mistake that public speakers make is to ramble, digress, or overload their speech
with too much information, jargon, or details. This can confuse, bore, or alienate your audience, and
make them lose interest or attention. To avoid this, you need to be concise and clear in your speech.
Use simple and direct language, avoid filler words, and stick to your main points. Use examples, stories,
or analogies to illustrate your points, but don't overdo it. Summarize your key takeaways at the end of
your speech, and invite questions or feedback.

7. Connect with your audience

Public speaking is not a one-way communication, but a dialogue between you and your audience. You
need to connect with them on an emotional, intellectual, and personal level, and make them feel
valued, respected, and engaged. To do this, you need to use eye contact, smile, and gesture
appropriately, and avoid reading from a script or staring at your slides. You also need to use humor,
anecdotes, or questions to break the ice, build rapport, and stimulate interest. You also need to adapt
your speech to your audience's reactions, feedback, or questions, and show that you are listening and
responding to them.

8. Manage your nerves

It is normal to feel nervous or anxious before or during a public speech, but you don't have to let it
affect your performance or confidence. There are some strategies that can help you manage your
nerves and overcome your fear of public speaking. For example, you can breathe deeply, relax your
muscles, and visualize a positive outcome. You can also focus on your message, not on yourself, and
remember that your audience wants you to succeed, not to fail. You can also use positive affirmations,
such as "I can do this", "I am prepared", or "I am confident".