Poor vocabulary and incorrect pronunciation and/or enunciation

[Joywtome231]

I was shocked the other day during an interview preparation session when one of my clients folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair. I thought everyone knew this body language error didn’t play out well in any culture!

Speaking of which, research the culture you are interviewing in. A non-Australian executive friend who had spent his adult working life in the US moved to Adelaide. He told me that he blew his first job interview here by being too aggressive. That just doesn’t go down well in Australia. And the irony was that his natural demeanour was not at all pushy

When it comes to good Body Language, I use SOLER’s position as a starting point. It highlights five key elements that form the basis of good communication. Two of these specific areas relate to aggression. First, you should lean forward slightly in your chair towards the other person – still showing a strong stance with your shoulders back, of course. The second is that you should maintain an open body i.e. uncross your arms.

If you are new to the culture, your best bet is to talk to business people at your level and ask their advice on how strong your self-marketing should be.

4. Inability to express information clearly

This is SO common that if I were a betting person, I’d lay odds on you falling into this trap.

Here are just three of the most common problems.

Lack of structure where an argument/point is not developed in a linear manner.
Chaotic response to questions because of a lack of knowledge about critical bolivia phone number resource workplace issues or because of a lack of preparation.
What to do?
In order to present a structured response, write your war stories out using the PAR or STAR model. Practise in the car and in the bathtub. Keep to the structure.

If your issue relates to vocab and/or pronunciation, look up job ads at your level and take note of the key qualities the market place is asking for. Ask a language guru to check that you correctly pronounce key words. Listen for evocative words that others use and make a deliberate effort to adopt them in your everyday language so that you expand your vocabulary.

Finally, keep up to date with current industry issues. Think through your workplace philosophy and make sure that you can enunciate it clearly.