Making a Difference in the Real World

Agenda
Basic strength of Graduates Real world scenario Industrial expectations Who can be in my team ? Professional Communication Listening Skills Written Communication Skills Verbal Communication & Non Verbal Communication Interview Skills

Basic Strengths of Graduates

Solid Education Analytical / Logical Thought Process

Drive to succeed

These are necessary and expected, but no longer the sufficient conditions for success

The Real World Scenario

Teamwork more important than individual

skills Multi-cultural workplace Global delivery models Highly mobile workforce Increased client interaction Hyper competition

Industry Expectations
Fundamental technical skills Soft skills Personal characteristics deemed necessary

for continued success both professionally and personally Listening and understanding others point of view Getting your point across to your audience Good understanding of technical, domain and industry trends Ability to work in teams

Who can be in my team?

A Good Listener A Good Writer A Good Speaker A Good Presenter

Professional communication

An Idea, No matter how great, is useless until it is transmitted and understood by others.

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION

VERBAL

L I S T E N I N G

NONVERBAL

WRITTEN

I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.

Few facts on communication

The average worker spends 50 % of his time

communicating. Business success is 85 % dependent on effective communication & interpersonal skills. 45 % of time spent communicating is listening. Writing represents 9 % of communication time. One-forth of all workplace mistakes are result of poor communication. 75% of the communication is non-verbal.

Professional Communication
Professional communication is to communicate effectively in a professional environment Objective To understand various aspects of professional communication Understanding the importance of listening skills Understanding aspects of verbal communication non-verbal communication Written communication

Listening Skills

Importance of listening skills

Listening is the most important aspect of Communication People

speak 100 175 words per minute listen 600 - 800 words per minute spend about 80% of our waking hours

communicating spend 45% of that time in listening

Steps in listening process

Hearing Hearing just means listening enough to catch what the speaker is saying. E-g.
You were listening to a speaker mention that no two zebras are alike. If you can repeat the fact, then you have heard what has been said.

Steps in listening process

Understanding Understanding happens when you take what you have heard and understand it in your own way. E-g. Let's go back to that report on zebras. When you hear that no two are alike, think about what that might mean. You might think, "Maybe this means that the pattern of stripes is different for each zebra."

Steps in listening process

Judging the receiver think about what he heard and checks whether it makes sense. Do you believe what you have heard? E-g. You might think, "How could the stripes to be different for every zebra? But then again, the fingerprints are different for every person. I think this seems believable."

Listening skills
Aspects pertaining to listening skills Don't talk---listen Be attentive and yet relaxed Keep an open mind Listen and dont interrupt. Wait for the speaker to pause and ask clarifying questions. Ask questions to understand what has been said. Say something to indicate your understanding Recognize tone patterns and intonation Identify key words

Listening skills

Aspects pertaining to listening skills Repeat what you have heard in your words to indicate the extent to which you have understood Ask open-ended questions Dont impose your views Summarize and paraphrase Let yourself finish listening before you begin to talk Listen for main ideas

Listening skills
Bad listening habits Interrupting the speaker Rushing the time Showing interest in something other than the conversation Getting ahead of the speaker and finishing her thoughts Forgetting what was talked about previously Asking too many questions about details

Listening situations
Kinds of listening situations Interactive
Face to face and telephone conversations We alternate between speaking and listening

Non-interactive
Listening to radio, TV, lectures etc.

Written communication

Written communication

Written communication refers to the capability to

write effectively to communicate to a diverse set of audience. It refers to effective documentation skills, capability to take notes, email etiquette etc.

Tips for improving writing skills

Avoid wordiness Know your audience Avoid / minimize jargons Dont be redundant (2 PM in the afternoon) Pay attention to grammar Proof read before closing the document Use appropriate words Maintain coherent sequence

Verbal communication

Verbal communication
Verbal communication is the capability to present ideas to a set of diverse audience in a clear unambiguous manner Effective speaking skills Presentation skills the ability to present ideas in a clear and precise manner Telephone / conference call etiquette General code of behavior that is acceptable, while handling telephone / conference calls, within a specific social culture

Tips for effective speaking

pronounce the distinctive sounds of a language clearly

so that people can distinguish them use stress and intonation patterns of the language clearly for people can understand what is said use the correct forms of words (tense and gender) put words together in correct word order use vocabulary appropriately make the main ideas stand out from supporting ideas or information. maintain a proper flow and sequence

Non-verbal communication

Non-verbal communication

Non-verbal communication refers to the effective use of body language in terms of expressions, gestures and non-verbal cues in communicating a message

Non-verbal communication

Spoken words 7%

Non-verbal 55% 38% Tone of voice

Types of non-verbal communication

Body language Body language refers to the capability of using expressions, gestures and non-verbal cues to communicate a message through head-nods, smiles, frowns, eye movements, body movements etc.

BODY LANGUAGE
Gestures

Dress Aspects of Body Language

Individual Space

Posture Tone/Pitch of Voice

Eye Contact and Facial Expressions

Types of non-verbal communication

Good body language

keeping good personal space making eye contact sitting or standing up straight looking interested

Bad body language

staring at the floor turning the body sideways fidget slouch cross arms

Interview Skills

Interview preparation
Update your resume Research the company from the company website Gather details on sales, company product & services, mission statement, press releases, recent news Think through some common questions Rehearse answering common questions with friends and

relatives Collect and neatly arrange required papers

Interview preparation

Be aware of latest IT trends, current affairs Update your general knowledge Carry additional copies of important papers like resume,

testimonials etc. Carry a notepad and a pen Dress up appropriately for the interview Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early and relax Turn off all devices before the interview

Interview preparation
Write down and memorize about your achievements Highlight qualities like important initiatives taken List out non-work achievement

participation in social activities working for some NGO Develop an interview portfolio

During the interview

First impression is important Many selections are made in the first minute

Handshake Facial signals Hands & feet

Handshake

Create a right impression with a handshake

Be sure that
Your hands are clean and adequately manicured Your hands are warm and free of perspiration Handshake is executed professionally

Wait to be told to take a seat or ask if you may

Facial signals

Maintain eye contact Do not stare at the interviewer Nod appropriately to communicate your understanding Offer a spontaneous natural smile to indicate warmth

and interest

Hands & feet

Dont fidget with pen, hair or paper Dont tap the table or make noises Do not tap your feet Do not remove your shoes while the interview is on

Good body language

Walk slowly and confidently, when called Greet the interviewer with a handshake and smile Maintain an alert head position Nod to communicate your understanding Do not hurry any movement Relax with every breath

Interview
During the Interview
Listen actively Adjust the answer based on the question Be positive and clear in your reply Enquire about the next step.
When will a decision be made? Will they contact you or should you call back?

Interview techniques
Traditional
Looking at resume, asking questions

Behavioral based
tell me about your last achievement

story brings out behavioral aspects Stress based

Solve puzzles Why should we hire you here?
Want to see how you handle stress

After the interview

Analyze your performance and your attitude How do you feel? How interested was the interviewer? Where could you have done better? How well did you answer? Where all did you fumble?

Common questions

Can you tell me about yourself? Where do you want to be in five years? In ten years? What is your specialties and why did you choose them? How do you spend your summers? Tell me about a time you succeeded brilliantly / failed miserably at work What courses did you most like and why? What are your salary expectations? What non-work activities are you involved in? What is your ideal job and why? What are your strengths? Weaknesses? How will the company benefit from your services?

??? & !!!