Personal Development Courses recommendations

HJ Simpson

Hi,
I have never been very confident in interviews etc but recently I just froze in two interviews that I should have done much better in. I was looking around to see if there were any personal development/public speaking couses I could do to learn some techniques to get over this problem. To add to the problem I have just been asked to be best man at my mates wedding. So need help badly has anybody done any of these courses that they could recommend.
Thanks

HJS

Sleepy

www.toastmasters.ie

p.pete

Could try these guys either

Iago

The key to job interviews and/or public speaking imho is preparation. If you go into a job interview with no real feel for the company or job then you are going to struggle to come out looking good. There are standard questions that will always be asked by a good interviewer
Tell me about X (where X is an experience you have on your CV)?
Why do you want to work for the company?
What about this role in particular excites you?
What do you think you can bring to this role?
Give me an example of how you dealt with conflict/made a decision/implemented a strategy or idea?

Going into an interview I always try and complete the following checklist,
1. Research the company, memorise some interesting facts about them
2. Consider the role and requirements on the job spec, and then come up with two or three examples of how I've shown suitability in the past
3. Know why I want this job in particular and with this company
4. Remember that they need me more than I need them (this may not be true, but it's always my attitude going into interviews)
5. Sit up straight and forward, look interested and participate in discussion

I've been offered the position in every interview I've gone for, so I'm doing something right somewhere along the line (either that or the company is desperate )

Public Speaking is very similar, if you prepare what you want to say and try to memorise the important parts then you should be fine. Try to relax and realise that everything to talk about is relevant to you and something you know well. Confidence is the key to success

secret_squirrel

If you have the time to kill consider applying for a few jobs just for the interview practise - I like to get a couple of interviews in every 9 months or so just to keep the interview skill in. Interview skills are like everything else it takes practise to become good at them.

Similarlly for public speaking. One thing I do occasionally is to run the odd training course at work..it doesnt have to be anything major just get yourself expert in a particular facet of your job and then suggest to your manager you would like to teach some of the more junior members of staff about it. You get training and presentation skills - they get more qualified staff. Its also something to bring up around promotion/payrise time.

Uthur

If you froze you were probably just feeling nervous/anxious. This might suggest you were taking the whole thing too seriously. Relax, remember it isn't life or death, and what will it matter in 100 years anyway, right? Remain happy, positive and relaxed and you will always do fine. Works for me anyways

Uthur