Photo by Johnny Delos Santos |
Even the best speakers go blank when asked to speak on the
spot. So, the best way to make an impressive impromptu speech is:
to not make an
impromptu speech.
Be secretly prepared. When there’s the tiniest chance that someone will ask you to speak to a crowd or in
front of a camera, better have a mental outline ready. Don’t wait for anybody
to tell you.
I have been a principal sponsor in so many weddings. On many
occasions, they ask the sponsors to make a speech without giving them any prior
advice. They probably expect wedding sponsors to already have a lot of wisdom
about marriage.
As a more or less senior member of the corporate world,
these are other examples of when you might be asked to speak off the cuff: your
department wins an award, beginning or end of a seminar, anniversary of
anything, a welcome ceremony, somebody’s birthday, farewell party, or funeral.
I always come to such occasions prepared because there’s
always at least 10% chance that I might be asked to say something. I prepare
before I reach the venue so that when the party begins, I can freely
socialize. If I prepare when I’m already
on site, I will be both too preoccupied to hobnob and too distracted to think.
If, afterall, I was not asked to speak, it’s so ok. I didn’t have to hide,
worry or pray.
All you have to prepare anyway is an outline. Outlines are
easy because all speeches have only three parts : beginning, middle and end.
The beginning makes your audience expect that your message will be interesting. The middle sustains
their interest through a series of examples or facts, or a choronology of
events. The ending is a fitting conclusion. It may the reaffirmation of the
point you’re making or a picture of the future. It may be anything but make
this the best part because this is where you get the applause.
If your impromptu speech is meant to honor somebody, you can
choose to direct attention to them so that they applaud or cheer for them
instead of you. You do this when you’re uncomfortable about having too many
eyes on you.
A speech is good when:
It’s not about
you. It should be about the people
getting married, or celebrating their birthday, anniversary, graduation or
award. If you’re the one being honored, you may talk about yourself but also
deflect the tribute to other people.
It has feelings. People
are engaged when the speech is emotive, funny, inspiring, thrilling,
suspenseful, thought-provoking, unpredictable. I suggest you avoid scary.
Short. Specially
if it’s an impromptu speech.
How to be better at
job interviews
The job interview is more scary than the interview portion
in a beauty pageant. Job interviewers are not trying to be charming.
The best way to prepare is to anticipate all the possible
questions. Try to imagine even the most unlikely and unpredictable ones. Have a
mental rehearsal of how you will enthusiastically answer the questions while
also appearing spontaneous.
This is easy. But I have actually seen applicants whose
answers are so distant from the question. When the applicant is unsure, they
usually take the long, circuitous route and still miss the target by a mile.
This gets the interviewer very, very frustrated.
Interviewers are very impressed when you have sure, short
and “candid” answers to questions like
“What do you think of our company/products?”
“What would you like to do to change our company/product?”
“How do you see yourself 5 years from now ?”
Many interviewers like to say “It’s your turn to ask me. Do
you have any questions about our company? “ You should have a prepared answer
for that, too.
Sometimes they don’t ask
questions that you had wanted to be asked. In this case, you may put a
natural connection to your related replies.
When preparing for the interview, you don’t need to make up
things. Honesty is always the best
policy. Be really honest or how would you satisfy expectations if you get a job
you’re not qualified for ?
Anticipating interview questions is all about being ready
with the right words to say. That’s because groping for words makes you look
uncertain and untruthful about your answers.
Whether doing an impromptu speech or going to be
interviewed, the main secret is preparation.
The great public speaker Abaraham Lincoln said “ give me six hours to
chop down a tree, I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.”
If you have concerns about your job or if you wish to
suggest a topic, you may email me at rglabayen@gmail.com
I would assume that you’re giving me permission to
publish your email ( if chosen) and my reply. Your identity will not be
disclosed.
Job interview preparation can be the difference between success and failure at sales job interviews. These job interview tips come to you from an experienced manager of interviews and assessment days and will help you to prepare the evidence of your experience and skills to match the job you are applying for. interview preparation
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