Public speaking in interviews can be the difference between getting a job offer and walking away wondering what went wrong. After all, isn’t an interview just about your education and experience? But in Kenya’s job market today, employers are paying close attention to something else too. They want to know one thing if you talk clearly and confidently.
Have you ever gone to an interview and walked out feeling like you knew all the right answers, but somehow failed to explain them the way you wanted? If yes, you are not alone. In fact, many people with great skills lose out on jobs not because they aren’t smart, but because they struggle with public speaking in interviews.
I have seen this happen many times. A job seeker enters the room with a good CV. Their past work matches the job perfectly. However, once the questions start, they get really nervous. However, speaking well is not a talent but a skill people build overtime.
Here are some tips that will help you;
Why Employers Care About Communication
In Kenya, many employers say that just knowing how to do the technical part of a job is no longer enough. Whether you want a job in banking, sales, media, employers want people who can share ideas clearly.
Imagine you are hiring two people who have the exact same school grades. One answers questions with confidence, tells interesting stories while other struggles to explain what they know. Who would you pick? The answer is obvious.
Speak with Confidence
Here is something many job seekers get wrong, interviewers are not looking for perfect speakers they want to hear the real you.
Instead of trying to memorize long answers, think of an interview like telling a story. Example: If an interviewer asks how you work with other people, do not just say, “I work well with others.” Tell a story! Explain a real situation and talk about the problem you had, what you did to help, and how it all ended well. Stories create a connection and honestly, people remember stories much better.
Conclusion
Your certificates might get your foot in the door, but your voice is what gets you the actual job. If you have ever walked out of an interview wishing you had spoken better, remember this, you can get better.
If you want to improve your public speaking in interviews and become the candidate that bosses never forget, join our public speaking course today.