Interviewing Techniques Intonation: Convey Confidence, Clarity, Enthusiasm

1. Interviewing TechniquesIntonation: Convey Confidence, Clarity, & Enthusiasm Kelley School of Business Stefani Kelso, MA, CCC-SLP September 19, 2005

2. INTRODUCTION What employers want: In a national survey of what employers look for in entry-level workers, near the very top was: Listening and oral communication A study of what corporations look for in MBAs revealed the 3 most desired capabilities: Communication skills, interpersonal skills, initiative from Working with Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, Ph.D.

3. INTERVIEWING The recruiter is sizing you up [observing you + making judgments and drawing conclusions about you] based on: Your appearance, clothing, and accessories Your body language and facial expression, including your handshake and eye contact What they observe of your personality and interaction style Your answers to their questions Your communication skills

4. COMMUNICATION SKILLS Communication skills are important on the job, and crucial during the interview process Recruiters observe how you say what you say Grammar, vocabulary, word choice How you organize your answers Vocal quality�is your voice clear and strong? Enunciation/pronunciation�do you speak clearly? Intonation

5. Intonation: What is it?

6. INTONATION Pitch High/low/middle; how pitch moves up and down Rhythm Long/short; relative length of syllables and words Linking Pausing Loudness Rate Stress/emphasis

7. Intonation is part of every language Comparison of how different languages use intonation When you speak a second language, you apply the intonation patterns of your first language

8. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your intonation or your accent Recruiters value the many assets you can bring, including your multilingual talents and the richness of your background and experience So why work on intonation?

9. It�s a matter of costs versus benefits

10. COSTS If your intonation tends to be flat, even, and �choppy,� you may be sending the wrong message to recruiters Flat intonation can be associated with a lack of enthusiasm or confidence Choppiness can make you sound unfriendly or �stiff� American recruiters may have difficulty understanding what you say, because they are so accustomed to hearing American intonation

11. BENEFITS Although American intonation is not innately better, you can obtain the following benefits if you change your style when you speak with recruiters

12. Can I really change the way I use intonation?

13. The way in which you use intonation can be changed with training and practice Let�s try a few short activities: Practicing with a hypothetical interview response Partner activity: Your 60-second sound byte

14. INTERVIEW RESPONSE One of my weaknesses/ is that I tend to take on a little too much responsibility,/ then feel I have to carry it myself.// I need to be more willing to talk with supervisors or colleagues,/ ask for their suggestions,/ and even seek their help from time to time.

15. SOUND BYTE/INTRODUCTION Stressed words and syllables: raise your pitch, increase the length of the syllable Unstressed words and syllables: make them short Pauses: pause between groups of words and after punctuation Linking: blend the ends of words into the beginnings of the next words Last word in a group: lower your pitch

16. Throughout your job interviews, recruiters listen to the sound of your voice. If you choose to use your voice and intonation well, you will take advantage of a powerful tool for turning a job interview into a job offer.

17. CONTACT INFORMATION For more information: www.advanceamericanaccent.com info@advanceamericanaccent.com 325-8036