Today, great interview preparation includes a special extra step for people with chutzpah (Look it up: www.dictionary.com ). If you want that next great job, listen to the link I’m about to make between practice interviewing and a video camera.
I’m in a Toastmasters club where we practice giving speeches, we practice communication techniques, and we practice dialogue. Sound like practicing for an interview? It could be. For most of my Toastmasters life, all communication was delivered and evaluated verbally. Now that’s changed. Today, in our club, we add a new dimension to the evaluation. We regularly roll the tape. We have two members with flip cameras, and one of them is always there and ready. And if the speaker is willing (that’s where chutzpah comes in), the camera rolls.
Now let me tell you, the first time someone asked me ‘do you want videotaped?’ I laughed and said, ‘no thanks, that’s okay.’
Afterwards, I asked myself, ‘why did you pass on the tape?’ I had passed on an opportunity to learn how I visually portray and communicate my message. So the next time I was scheduled for a speech, I reluctantly agreed. ‘Yeah, videotape me.’
What I learned was an eye-opener.
My smile and eye contact were better than I realized. The audience was really listening. However, what was I doing with my hands? That was distracting. And was I loud enough? The video suggested I speak a little louder next time. It was quite a lesson – good things, not-so-good things, and I could SEE how I performed on tape. It is making me a better speaker – quickly!
So great interview preparation just got better, a lot better. Grab a friend’s flip camera, or use your smart phone, or go buy a $flip camera for under $120. This is a technology enhancer that will make your interview preparation AWESOME!