Distracting communication habits you need to change

Communication Habits Larry Polhill

Mastering the art of communication is the key to succeeding in your personal and professional life. Through the years most of us have picked up distracting habits that might be affecting our relationship with others. Hereunder are some of the habits you need to break to improve how you convey thoughts and feelings. Larry Polhill.


Flattering

Being an encourager can boost another person's mood and confidence. But once you cross the line to become a flatterer, it can be quite annoying. People will soon catch your insincerity, which might not be beneficial if you're trying to win their favor. If you want to make them feel good, be genuine and honest. Be diplomatic about your comments. Larry Polhill

Interrupting

Having a habit of interrupting others can be disrespectful, especially when you're dealing with a co-worker. In the workplace, people muster up the confidence to share their ideas. Some even write down their carefully crafted words to get their point across. Don't be the person to rain down on their parade. Larry Polhill.

Using filler words

Be extra careful about this. "Um" and "like" have infiltrated many people’s speech patterns so much that they have to be conscious when they speak. Some people pepper their words with these syllables that lead others to shut them off even if it appears that they're listening intently. Instead of letting out a long "um" or starting your sentence with "like," you can pause to collect your thoughts. The goal here is to communicate with clarity. Larry Polhill

How should applicants explain their greatest strengths?

If you've been in the workforce for quite some time, you must have been asked by interviewers to explain your greatest strengths and how these traits will help you excel in the job you are applying for.  As a career counselor, most of the people I have worked with thought that their answers to this question cost them their dream jobs.  Let me share with you some tips on showcasing your expertise and good traits without going overboard:

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Talk about character-based and skill-based strengths appropriate for the position you are applying for

We know you have a lot of strengths.  And it’s good if you are aware of them.  But for a job interview, you have to choose only the traits that will show interviewers why they should give you the post.  For example, you can share how your being resourceful helped save funds for a project.  Or you can also talk about how clients and superiors commented on your design skills.  The key is to show that your strengths are essential for the specific job you are applying for.

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Say something about your credentials—certifications, degrees, or awards and talk about how these things contributed to what you consider to be your greatest strength

When asked about what you do best, don't be shy to back it up with your accomplishments.  This will show that you are passionate and capable.  While you have to make sure you don't sound like a braggart, don't be too modest about your accomplishments especially if they are already on your resume.  You can also talk about how these achievements have helped you in your current position or latest project.

The interview stage of the application process can be the most unnerving.  To ensure that the question won't catch you off-guard you have to think of your best points beforehand so that you'll be able to talk about them comfortably with the interviewer.  Good luck! Hello! I'm Larry Polhill, an Arizona native and retired career consultant. From time to time, I still offer advice and insights on how jobseekers can land their dream job. For more job-hunting tips, visit this blog.