Think Globally:
Just 15 years ago, it was common for graduates to have to migrate to larger cities to find employment in their field. In today’s business world, new professionals can expect to see jobs spreading around the world. Communicating across cultures, whether it’s on the other side of the world or on the other side of town, takes extra planning. Avoid stereotyping by educating yourself on how different cultures view elements like gender, age, and personal space.
Your Resume:
Research suggests your resume has 20 seconds to make an impression. While you may have the credentials to qualify for the job, the appearance of your resume is the first thing a prospective employer will see and is just as important as the content. Your resume should never go over one page and it should be tailored with relevant information to help you get the specific job.
Create Goodwill:
Be a positive communicator by focusing on the receiver. In face-to-face communication, increase your listening skills by moving from an unengaged surface listener to an active, perceptive listener who picks up on messages through words and nonverbal cues. If you’re using written communication, use the “you†attitude to show the reader they are important. Put the emphasis on your audience by replacing all words that refer to you with words that refer to your audience.
Planning a Message:
Know your audience, know the purpose of your message, and know why your audience should be interested in your message before attempting to write anything. Once you’ve established your purpose, make an outline of what you will need to include to deliver a message that is effective, concise, and establishes goodwill. While you are drafting, consider the best medium to use to send your message. Technology has provided many ways to communicate but not every form of communication is appropriate for every message.
Interpersonal Skills:
Whether you’re going in for an interview or pitching an idea to your company, you must have strong interpersonal skills. In face-to-face communication, it’s important to show respect to the person you are communicating with by being aware of your verbal and nonverbal cues. Maintain eye-contact, don’t multitask, concentrate on listening, ask questions, and don’t busily plan what you are going to say next in your mind. Be present physically and mentally when communicating with others.
