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Contribution by current VP of Public Relations
RDU Toastmasters has prepared its members to remain competitive in a challenging and uncertain job market. To illustrate one example, I was called in for an interview out of 1000 candidates because the Human Resources Coordinator was also a member of Toastmasters; and decided to read the resume! If you’re seeking employment, I encourage you to join a club during your job search to maintain your communication skills and network with existing members. The VP of Public Relations conducted the interview below with a current member to find out how being a member of RDU Toastmasters helped land a new career with Cisco Systems.
How did Toastmaster prepare you for the job interview?
In general, I have grown more confident speaking in front of people and that showed through in the interviews. Also, the table topics rounds really do help thinking on your feet and sounding intelligent when formulating an answer.
Is your participation in Toastmasters listed on your resume, and were you asked about it during the hiring process?
Toastmasters is listed in my resume. I wasn’t asked about it directly, but I did bring it up as part of my self-improvement efforts as well as how I have learned to make presentations.
How will effective communication skills help you succeed in your new role?
I have to do presentations on technical topics to audiences not necessarily in my field, as well as conduct meetings sounding confident at all times. Most of the communication is done via phone, so I really need to work on my vocal variety and projecting my voice.
What advice do you have for others seeking employment in today’s market?
You really have to do your homework. Not just on the company, but on the people who will be interviewing you, and the general interviewing style of the company. Most of that information is available online. Practice answering behavioral type questions such as “how do you work with difficult people?” and be prepared to give examples. This is where the Toastmasters table topics really come in handy.
December 12, 2010 at 11:01 am |
As am Advanced Toastmaster, I really enjoyed reading this post. I am a strong believer in the organization. I am going to pass along the suggestion of joining as a part of a job search campaign to my clients.