What Makes "You" a Good Communicator?

Personal Interview: Part 'A'


 
Name of Interviewee:
Shelley McSherry Lowe
Executive Director of Career Services
Davenport University

Question:
What do you think it is that makes you 'good' at communicating?

Answer:
I think that the variety of people I speak with on a daily basis defiantly helps. I have to be able to go from talking to people with PhD's in Education, Business, Political Science, to talking to those who just passed their high school English classes. Being exposed to that variety of education allows you to notice small changes you need to make - especially with those who are more uneducated - in order to be understood.

In addition to that, my background with Management has really been an asset. Being a women in Management almost makes you prove yourself daily. Men especially are more likely to respect you if you prove to them you're either on or above their level intellectually. However, you have to be able to balance that with making sure you don't come across as arrogant.

Question:
What is it that you recommend kids in my generation do in order to become better with communication?

Answer:
Try to avoid taking shortcuts when you are typing. Be it with text messaging or with e-mail writings. Try not to use "shortened" words like "idk". The more you write, the better you will become at it, and in turn, the better your communication skills.


Common Mistakes in Written and Spoken Business Dealings: Part 'B'

Errors in Writing:

• Improper Grammar
• Misspelled Words
• Misused words
• Missing or Improper Punctuation
• Run-on Sentences
• Repetitive words in a Paragraph (i.e. Beginning every sentence with "what")
• Scattered, unclear thought process
  

Errors in Speaking:

• Rushing your Sentences 
• Mispronounced words
• Improper Word choice
• Little or no  Eye contact
•  Reading word for word from notes

TEAM FAQ'S: Part 'C'

Q: How to Write a Successful email?

A. Subject Lines are Headlines, Make One Point per Email, Specify the Response You Want, Using EOM Headlines (End of Message), Be a Good Correspondent.

Q: How to Dress for a Meeting?

A. Start by looking through business magazines and notice what the business style looks like. You will most likely find suits, skirts, ties, blouses and other sophisticated outfits. Check out what clothes you own. If you have a very small selection of professional clothes or one old interview suit from the 90s, then it is time for you to invest in a professional outfit for the conference.

Q: How to Stay Prepared for a Meeting?

A. Prepare a notice; this should include the date, time, agenda, and venue of the meeting. Distribute the notice to the members in good time for the meeting. Get basic items in place. Set out chairs and tables before the meeting begins. Provide pens and paper for everyone. Place a pitcher of water in the middle of the table and put glasses around the table.

Q: What is the best, most professional way for potential employees to submit their resume and cover letters to HR Managers?

A: Via PDF, rather than 'Word' document. All computers being used these days have the ability to open a PDF but there are times when issues arise between Mac and PC files. To bypass all of that, and making it easier on the recipient of your resume, convert the Word document on your end to a PDF before sending it off to whomever you are applying with.

Q: What are some of the biggest mistakes that a potential employee can make on his or her resume?

A: Spelling and grammar mistakes, hands down. In addition to that, if he or she mentions how "detail oriented" they are, yet fail to address the hiring manager by name (i.e. write "To Whom it may Concern" or "Dear Sir or Ma'am"), that throws up a 'red flag' that they are simply trying to look like they have skills that they may not actually possess.

Q: If an applicant sends their resume and cover letter via post, is there a preferred carrier?

A: And of the carriers – UPS, FedEx, USPS, or other are fine. However, sending them in a document envelope, rather than a traditional letter envelope is always best.

Q: How do I get a message across?

A: To get a message across one of the best ways to make sure it gets to the group or person properly is to meet face to face. This is a sure way to make sure they know the importance of the message by the tone of your voice and by the posture that is presented.

Q: How do you get rid of being nervous for a speech?

A: Though it seems very awkward, the best way to get rid of your nerves is to practice in front of a mirror. Everyone has been told to do this at one point, but the awkwardness tends to shy people away from trying it. You can memorize your speech completely, but if your not saying it out loud in front of a mirror or peers, the jitters will always still be there. Practice makes perfect.

Q: How do you make a speech engaging?

A: By asking questions, using real life examples and using visual aids, the audience is more likely to pay attention and stay engaged. Another way to capture your audience’s attention is to speak confidently and proudly.

Q: How do you approach your boss?

A: When approaching your boss you should be prepared with what you are going to talk about. Confidence is key, let him know you are prepared with what your presenting to him or her. You do not want to get to your boss then end up stuttering, forgetting what you really wanted to bring up and looking like you do not have it all together. He or she is the person you want to impress to let them know you are good at what you do and want to always be getting better. 

Q. How do you make an email more appealing to read?

A: Using formatting and layout can enhance your email to make it easier to read. Using transitions as well as writing in short, concise sentences can also help in make the email more appealing to read.

Q: Should I use visual aids?

A: Visual aids can help to enhance the piece but only when appropriate. For example, visual aids should not be used on a resume but during a presentation visual aids may help to enhance readability and catch focus.

Works Cited: 

Works Cited

ACT. "Examples of Common Business Writing Errors." WorkKeys®. ACT, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2012. <http://www.act.org/workkeys/assess/bus_writ/errors.html>.