![]() Make eye contact, nod and don't interrupt or finish others' sentences. To do that, pay attention when others speak. "Show employers interest in their company as well as what you can do for them, and you'll go a long way toward making yourself their top choice for the job." "The key to a great interview - and to getting people to like you in general - is to show that you think they are important," says Christine Whelan, PhD, sociology professor at the University of Pittsburgh who studies impression management. People love to talk about themselves, so you may find that you can sail through an interview by simply asking insightful questions about others. "Going through several rounds of edits and practicing the talk so it is polished is a must." 5. "You should practice in front of others," Johnson says. If you seem to have done little advance preparation to carry out this charge, it may suggest a host of negative attributions." Certainly, you never want to appear poorly organized or worse yet, lazy.įor presentations at conferences or other talks in front of a group, practicing your delivery is always a smart move. "Say for example you are responsible for summarizing a research article at weekly lab meetings. Prepare and practiceīeing unprepared is a serious shortfall, says James Tyler, PhD, a psychology professor at Purdue University who has conducted research on how impressions are made. Chances are, your interrogator won't view it as a dodge, and the conversation will move forward. Or try a move used with great skill by politicians: Answer a different but related question instead. "Try to turn it into an idea for new research or put it off as something to discuss after the presentation," Guadagno says. If at a presentation, someone asks you a question you don't know the answer to, it's OK to admit that. "Questions are a sign of interest in your work, not an attack of it," says Guadagno. Whether at a job interview or an informal meeting, you'll be judged by the way you handle questions, especially the tough ones. The same goes for making eye contact instead of constantly looking down at notes. ![]() If you speak slowly and calmly, you will appear more confident than would otherwise be the case. One sign of confidence is simply modulating your voice. "However, keep in mind that you are the expert, and let your passion and confidence take the lead." "It's easy to feel overwhelmed while others are being critical of your research," she says. Take deep breaths and remember that you know more about your research than anyone else, says India Johnson, a social psychology grad student at The Ohio State University. It's natural to feel intimidated if you're talking to a famous scientist at a conference or explaining your study to a roomful of seasoned researchers, but don't let your anxiety show. "Keep it in your bag or briefcase and refresh your memory on restroom breaks." Not only will this make you better equipped to anticipate questions, but the effort will show that you care enough about the opportunity to prepare. "Make a cheat sheet to remind you of the work of each person who interviews you," says Rosanna Guadagno, PhD, a University of Alabama psychology professor. Then, think of a few informed questions to ask them to open a conversation or handle a lull. When going to an internship interview, a job talk or a networking event, first Google the people you'll be meeting with to identify their research and other interests, says Alexander Todorov, PhD, a psychology and public affairs professor at Princeton University. How can you strengthen your chances for making a solid impression when it counts? Here are six strategies. Having a handle on the kinds of impressions you make can go a long way toward advancing your career, says Uleman. Another study, in the April 2011 issue of Social Influence found that a limp handshake can make you appear overly passive. For example, a 2009 study in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that factors ranging from clothing style to posture play a role in how impressions are formed (PDF, 133.9KB). Substantial research has affirmed the importance of first impressions, while exploring a variety of factors that contribute to their formation. ![]() ![]() "In spite of the congeniality of many professional gatherings, judgments are being made and impressions formed all the time," Uleman says. The kind of impression you make with them can change the course of your career, says James Uleman, PhD, a psychology professor at New York University and researcher on impression management. Your dissertation committee members might connect you with future employers. Many of the people you meet in grad school will have a great influence over your future. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |