I’ve been teaching Professional Presentations for many years, in two-day workshops in large organizations, one-on-one coaching, as well as one-hour versions in graduate school classrooms. Initially, the purpose of the programs, from the vantage of the sponsoring organizations, was to help participants improve their public speaking skills in meetings and larger gatherings. This coaching and teaching also was intended to assist in getting past the profound fears of public speaking that most people experience.
Very slowly, I’ve come to the conclusion that not only is this fear-inducing skill important in many work activities – but it’s an important political skill. The political angle is simple. If your co-workers and management don’t know you’re doing a great job and possess critical skills, it’s almost like that tree in the forest. If they don’t hear or know about your accomplishments, then maybe you’re not so successful after all.
The perception is key.
The ability to present can mean as little as an important conversation with your boss or a job interview. How well prepared are you? How articulate are you and how effective is the manner in which you present? Are you getting your point across well?
I certainly don’t mean to indicate that everything you say has to be prepared as though you were giving speeches all day. In many circumstances, though, it’s important to be prepared. The most devout introverts need to be heard at staff meetings. Not everyone can speak easily without preparation, although the ability to speak extemporaneously is a talent that can go a long way in advancing a career.
Whenever I prepare to discuss this subject, I’ll start with a conversation about fear. It’s important to identify the level of the fear. I like to ask people how they’d rank that fear from 1 (abject terror) to 5 (willingness to speak with minimal preparation to a group of 500). Usually, the results average somewhere in the 2-3 range. (Of course, some of the groups are self-selecting and included many terrified public speakers.)
If you’re fearful of public speaking, even in very small groups, you’re not alone. I like to research, at least once a year, recent surveys of common fears. One of the most recent lists of most common fears, in order:
1) Snakes
2) Public speaking
3) Heights
4) Being stuck in a small space
5) Spiders and insects
6) Injections
7) Death
8) Dogs
9) Crowds
10) Going to the doctor
Tough not to notice that “death” is #7, and “public speaking” is #2.
It’s probable you’re in the majority when it comes to fear of public speaking – but in order to move your career along, it would help to improve. I never suggest that everyone must become a brilliant orator; what I do encourage is to try to become at least competent, or somewhat more comfortable when addressing groups or individuals in important situations.
Just in case I haven’t made the point that presentations skills are important political attributes, I’m going to refer to yet another list. There have been many of these lists compiled where senior executives of large organizations are asked what the qualities are for predicting individual success in an organization. As you’ll see in a current list below, I’ve used this to prove my point.
Criteria for success (in order):
1) Clear articulation
2) General communication skills
3) Presentation skills
4) Listening skills
5) Simple etiquette
6) Appropriate business attire
7) Organizational skills
8) Telephone courtesy
9) Post-secondary school education level
10) Previous experience
See something unusual in there? Aside from presentations skills being #3 as a critical component for success in an organization, also notice that the only “hard” skill listed is #10, “previous experience.” I search for these lists yearly; sometimes there are no “hard” skills listed at all, and sometimes as many as two.
In other words, it’s not what you know or have done that counts most; it’s how you package it. Those so-called “soft” skills may mean more than the skill set. At least according to these lists. Clearly, the same goes for an ordinary job interview, as well.
Which is what brings us back to the issue of presentation skill. Not only is it important in career mobility, but it also frequently involves overcoming a significant level of fear.
In the next blog, I’ll tackle key elements in getting past the fear by thorough preparation, and improving your overall presentations style.
Volunteering - a good idea for career transition?
There has been much discussion about whether volunteerism is a useful technique in career transition. I remember a Washington Post article about a year and a half ago that cited a study claiming that 27% of volunteer jobs lead to other full-time paying jobs.
I'd like to expand on that idea. I don't think volunteerism is only beneficial to the lower-skilled job seekers mentioned in that piece; I think it's good at any level. Since the article focused on that particular group, I'd like to talk about the others who are more skilled and experienced.
On a purely emotional and practical basis, volunteering is a great idea for building structures into your day. That's always a big problem with people who are out of work all of a sudden - their regular structures, and peers, disappear.
I don't encourage clients and students to seek full-time volunteer positions, though, because it would take them out of their regular, structured search activities, and the loss of momentum is problematic. Go for part-time. Three days a week would be fine. No more, because it won't leave enough time for a reasonable job search, or at least my version of one.
I think finding the right volunteer situation is critical for those who are more educated and skilled. By "right," I mean something that might add a skill necessary for your targeted career goal, or might reinforce an existing one. If you're an events planner, for example, getting involved in fundraising activities for a non-profit would be a great idea. Or if you're in finance, why not offer services in the financial area of a non-profit? Even though it might not be the same as the jobs you've been doing, it's something you can point to when going out on the job market.
There's one part of this most people overlook. If you're going to offer your services for free, you can negotiate! Yes, negotiate. I frequently tell the people I work with that they should discuss a few items up front:
• Ask if you can be called a consultant, rather than a volunteer. Looks better on the resume, and sounds better in networking and interviewing.
• Be sure what the role is, that it won't be a bait and switch situation. For example, you've been told you're going to help them design a new system for membership, and then you find out after you start you're doing data entry. Not useful for you. Don’t do it.
• Ask if they'll provide excellent references for you (calling you a consultant, of course), assuming you do the terrific job that you will.
• Also, if you're going to do that terrific job for them, would they assist you by perhaps providing some help in building new networks?
• And . . . perhaps, if things work out well on both ends, would there be a possible position that might become available (if you're interested, of course)?
I'm not surprised by the 27% number provided in the article. I’ve always thought that volunteering during a search is a no-lose proposition, if set up well.
Ellis
For a quick course on networking, pick up my Ebook, Networking: How to Make the Connections You Need
If you're looking for more in-depth advice on your job search, In Search of the Fun-Forever Job: Career Strategies that Work is available in paperback and Ebook.
10-Lesson Career Strategies Video Series Available on Curious.com
Career Strategies That Work is a 10-lesson video series I've put together for Curious.com. The full course is now available, as well as free preview.
For readers of this blog, many of the topics may be familiar
- Interviewing techniques,
- Networking strategies,
- Dealing with unexpected job loss
- Considering bridge jobs
but I know from my experience dealing with thousands of clients and students, that sometimes you need to hear and see the person who's handing out advice for it to really click.
I hope you'll take a look and let me know what you think.
Ellis