Are These Common Voice Mistakes Stopping You from Getting a Job?
All job seekers to career transitions: you are being judge on your voice quality the moment you speak. Did you know that a social conversation with colleagues, which could be a lead to a job, or your speech at a job interview is critical; based solely on the sound of your voice?
The first thought of any interviewer is whether your voice matches with the image of your sound. The employer associates your personality traits with your voice characteristics. The candidate is chosen according to the perceived personality, not by the job skills. So, check out these common mistakes to see if it’s time for you to invest in your voice makeover to be sure of getting the job.
Key Fix # 1: Lacks Confidence:
If you are in the least hesitant, quiet, breathless, or cannot answer or ask questions clearly, employers take this as a sign that you lack confidence. Perhaps it is nerves, or perhaps you are not using your breath to make yourself heard.
So how do you fix this? Typically, breathing with your diaphragm will solve both problems: help you to relax, and give you the air support needed to project your voice appropriately. It’s literally as simple as taking three deep breaths with the diaphragm that will eliminate your nervousness, and help regain your focus to relax and be on track. Also, with a stronger well-supported breath you will resonate to a fuller sound from your mouth cavity and project a more confident sound.
You want to avoid shouting or straining breath in your throat to be louder because that will damage your vocal folds. The diaphragmatic breath support gives you the confidence needed to register immediately with the interviewer that you can indeed do this job.
Key Fix #2: Annoying Pitch level:Do you speak in too high or too low a pitch level?
This can be an immediate turn-off for prospective employers. It draws attention to your voice tone and distracts from the content of what you are saying during the interview. Too high a pitch is like a violin out of tune. Too low a pitch results in a gravely tone that does not sound comfortable to the listener.
Your solution is to find your optimal pitch level with some voice exercises, and read aloud using a variety of levels to give you a wider range. Your inflection (the rise and fall of the sound of your voice) should add to the overall melodious tone. If your pitch is too high, the sound is produced either by tension of the vocal muscles; or the sound is being resonated through the nasal passage instead of the mouth. The fix is to repeat saying “ung-ah” several times to exercise your soft velum, so it will rise to let the sound exit through the mouth instead of the nose.
Key Fix #3: Inappropriate pace:
Do you speak too quickly or too slowly? If the interviewer cannot catch all your words because you speak too quickly then they will tune you out. Mumbling your words or poor enunciation skills will decrease your value as an appropriate person for any job.
The opposite downturn for an interviewer is if your voice sounds too slow, boring, or tired.
Simple exercises such as repeating a few daily tongue twisters and exercising your lips and jaw will sharpen your pronunciation skills.
Practice some improvisational conversations with yourself in front of a mirror: to check up on speaking at the correct pace; to see if you are moving your lips, tongue and jaw. Use a respectful tone and pace to convey presence.
Finally, the total voice package that you present should be a voice that is positive, and energized with an upbeat attitude. Think of your interview as a final performance. You have prepared, rehearsed voice and gestures to communicate value as to why you should be hired. The authenticity and competency should definitely shine through your voice to get you hired.
So, it comes down to – do you want the job? If so, then it’s time to tune-up your voice skills, or use a vocal coach as an investment to landing the job you want. Give your interview the edge with your new voice power skills. ©
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