Today in class we had to practice interviewing. We had to come to class with a resume and cover letter dressed appropriate for an interview. Even though it was not real and did not matter, I still got nervous. When I hear the word interview, I immediately get uncomfortable and nervous. I just do not like them. What I realized today that I do not like the most is that when they ask an open ended question, I never know how much they want me to talk. I do not know when I should stop talking and because of this I usually end up talking way too much. One problem of mine is that I do not like silence and where this is a silence, I like to fill it. This is not necessarily a good thing because sometimes I start talking in circles and need to just stop talking.
Some feedback I received was that when I am thinking about a question before I respond, I tend to look up. This can make me look nervous and unprofessional. I need to work on maintaining eye contact and not looking away distractedly. And I had a bow on my shirt and near the end I started pulling on it and playing with it. I did this probably because I started getting bored and wanted it to end already. These are two good things for me to work on. It is good for me to know of my bad habits so that in a real interview I do not do them.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Interviewing
This week in class we had a guest speaker. She gave us great advice on interviewing. One of her pet peeves is when she asks the interviewee if they have any questions for her and they say no. She told us that we need to research the company and find out about projects they are working on. It's important to look knowledgable. We need to show them that we belong there and can provide beneficial input. I had never thought about this before. In many interviews I have been in, I have not asked questions. I had no idea that was a bad thing. But usually when I got home I did have questions I just could not think of them on the spot. So next time I will prepare questions ahead of time so I don't get caught off guard. Knowing how to interview well is huge skill we must work on. Just having an outstanding resume won't get you the job. You must be able to stand out in a crowd and be remembered by the interviewer. With some practice and more advice, hopefully I will get better at interviewing.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
It's a Small World--Networking Assignment
Today I went to a Luncheon at the Sleepy Ridge where David Bradford was speaking. This was a great networking activity. We grabbed some food and then they had us each introduce ourselves and talk about a good or bad experience we have had in an interview. It was a good way to meet each other and find out about each others careers. I was one of two students there and the rest were older and had careers.
As the speaker David Bradford started talking, he called me out of the audience and asked me what I was studying and where I was from. We realized that he was really good friends with my dad. They used to play basketball together all the time. He told me to talk with him afterwards.
After the event I waited until I could talk with him. We chatted for awhile and he told me to e-mail him and he could meet with me next week to try to find me an internship for the summer. Then another man came up to me and asked for my e-mail so that he could connect me with his brother-in-law who is a speech therapist for the Alpine school district.
I e-mailed David Bradford and now we will see what happens. Hopefully we will get to meet next week and start working on interview skills. He has so many connections that I know this will lead to something. This was a great opportunity!
As the speaker David Bradford started talking, he called me out of the audience and asked me what I was studying and where I was from. We realized that he was really good friends with my dad. They used to play basketball together all the time. He told me to talk with him afterwards.
After the event I waited until I could talk with him. We chatted for awhile and he told me to e-mail him and he could meet with me next week to try to find me an internship for the summer. Then another man came up to me and asked for my e-mail so that he could connect me with his brother-in-law who is a speech therapist for the Alpine school district.
I e-mailed David Bradford and now we will see what happens. Hopefully we will get to meet next week and start working on interview skills. He has so many connections that I know this will lead to something. This was a great opportunity!
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Caught on Film--Ch 4 presentation
In class, my group presented on the information in chapter 4 from our textbook. Watching yourself present is really embarrassing. I think at least. I don't like hearing my voice. Some of the feedback I was given was to speak louder. To fix this I need to go into my presentation with more energy. I naturally speak softer and I know that so I need to make a conscious effort to increase my volume. Sometimes I feel like I am yelling but it is normal to everyone else.
Also in the beginning of my presentation I was rocking back and forth as I did the introduction but then when I was presenting my part I stood still. I think in the beginning I was more nervous and we didn't practice the beginning part as much so I wasn't as confident in what I was going to say.
Lastly, I referenced to my slides a good amount because they were diagrams I was talking about. And sometimes I would point with my opposite arm and reach across my body. That doesn't look good. I need to remember and practice pointing with my correct arm. Or stand on the side that is more comfortable and automatic.
Overall this was a fun experience. I think this is the best way to actually improve presenting because we can see what we are doing wrong. It's one thing to be told what you are doing and another to actually watch it.
Also in the beginning of my presentation I was rocking back and forth as I did the introduction but then when I was presenting my part I stood still. I think in the beginning I was more nervous and we didn't practice the beginning part as much so I wasn't as confident in what I was going to say.
Lastly, I referenced to my slides a good amount because they were diagrams I was talking about. And sometimes I would point with my opposite arm and reach across my body. That doesn't look good. I need to remember and practice pointing with my correct arm. Or stand on the side that is more comfortable and automatic.
Overall this was a fun experience. I think this is the best way to actually improve presenting because we can see what we are doing wrong. It's one thing to be told what you are doing and another to actually watch it.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
HATS
Headings
Art
Typography
Spacing
This week I learned how to apply HATS in my writing and how important the look of a document is. If the document does not appeal to the eye, then it probably won't get read. If you do not have a good, informative heading in an article or an e-mail subject line, then it might not get read even if it has very good content. How the document is written and spaced, is like a mini hook to get someone to read it. White space is not a bad thing, we need to white space to divide and frame elements on a page. It also gives the reader relief and invites the reader to read it. Headings should be written in Sans Serif and the body should be written in Serif which is what I am writing in right now.
Using art in a document, you need introduce, insert, and interpret. You cannot just insert a visual and not talk about it. That is like inserting a quote and not talking about why it is important or how to apply it. Using tables and graphs have guidelines as well. You need to make sure that they represent accurate intervals. Red and green should not be used next to each other. If you don't have information, then you need to put N/A, don't leave it blank.
Remember pictures speak louder than words. Using photographs appropriately can convey your message much better than words can.
Art
Typography
Spacing
This week I learned how to apply HATS in my writing and how important the look of a document is. If the document does not appeal to the eye, then it probably won't get read. If you do not have a good, informative heading in an article or an e-mail subject line, then it might not get read even if it has very good content. How the document is written and spaced, is like a mini hook to get someone to read it. White space is not a bad thing, we need to white space to divide and frame elements on a page. It also gives the reader relief and invites the reader to read it. Headings should be written in Sans Serif and the body should be written in Serif which is what I am writing in right now.
Using art in a document, you need introduce, insert, and interpret. You cannot just insert a visual and not talk about it. That is like inserting a quote and not talking about why it is important or how to apply it. Using tables and graphs have guidelines as well. You need to make sure that they represent accurate intervals. Red and green should not be used next to each other. If you don't have information, then you need to put N/A, don't leave it blank.
Remember pictures speak louder than words. Using photographs appropriately can convey your message much better than words can.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
How to tell your story
Today we learned about giving presentations. Our hands are meant to tell our story. If we don't use our hands properly, then they become a distraction. We should use our hands to emphasize what point we want to make. They show that you are about to say something important and that everyone should listen up. The best place for our hands when we are in a neutral position is down by our sides. It is okay to put one hand slightly on our waist or in our pocket, but the best is both hands down.
There are some big no-nos. One is called the fig leaves, that is where you clasp your hands together down in front. This can be okay for a moment, but don't stay there the whole presentation. Another one is the drill sergeant, that is where you clasp your hands together down and behind you. When we get nervous, we tend to want to hold onto something so we hold our own hand, but that shows that you are nervous.
Remember even if we are nervous, we need to "fake it, til we make it." Giving presentations brings us back to the point, that we need confidence to make people believe what we are saying and to effectively communicate. If we are a genius, but speak monotone, no one will get to hear what we have to say. Our message will be a waste of time.
There are some big no-nos. One is called the fig leaves, that is where you clasp your hands together down in front. This can be okay for a moment, but don't stay there the whole presentation. Another one is the drill sergeant, that is where you clasp your hands together down and behind you. When we get nervous, we tend to want to hold onto something so we hold our own hand, but that shows that you are nervous.
Remember even if we are nervous, we need to "fake it, til we make it." Giving presentations brings us back to the point, that we need confidence to make people believe what we are saying and to effectively communicate. If we are a genius, but speak monotone, no one will get to hear what we have to say. Our message will be a waste of time.
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