Public Speaking Skill

Hello candidates! 

Have you ever had a nightmare where you were forced to be on stage? 

Do not feel bad. Everyone has been afraid of public speaking at some point in their lives. Oftentimes in many lines of work, it becomes necessary to stand and address a large group of people. Being nervous and scared is normal in these situations, but they are a reality that should be addressed. 

Practice and preparation are often key to overcoming fear. Knowing exactly what you are doing and being confident in your plans is a great way to keep anxiety at bay, while also presenting your ideas and speech coherently and efficiently. So why don't we look at some techniques to focus on that will help you get rid of your stage-jitters?

Know your Material

It is a self-explanatory statement after all. Studying and having an in-depth understanding of the material will automatically give you confidence. Aim to be an expert in the topic you are going to present. If you understand the material, you will always have the answers to anything that can come up, and that expertise will generate confidence once you step on stage. 

Practice out Loud

It can be somewhat embarrassing to recite lines to yourself in front of a mirror, but it is a helpful process that prevents the much more terrifying prospect of misspeaking on stage. Knowing what to say is important but it is equally important to practice how to say it. Recitation practice will not only allow you to hear how your presentation will sound out loud and make corrections but the repetition will also give you confidence in your words. 

Video and Rewatch

It can be very helpful to get a second perspective on your presentation. While it would be ideal to have a friend give you feedback while you practice, a video is a close second. It will give you a great idea of what aspects you need to focus on for practice and correction, and positively enforce the aspects that you have perfected already. 

Don’t try to memorize

Presentations can be long and complicated. Attempting to memorize a script word-for-word is not only a daunting task but also unnecessarily stressful. Instead, prepare a flow of topics that you have expertise in so that when you inevitably deviate from the original script, you will have the knowledge required to get back on track without fumbling. 

Speak Slowly

This is not a race. It is tempting to speak faster in the hopes that you will be able to complete the presentation quicker and more efficiently while also minimizing your time on stage. Unfortunately, the faster you speak, the less legible and more error-prone your speech becomes. Remember to speak slowly and measuredly so your words are understandable, and your speech does not stumble. 

Never announce your Nerve.

You might feel nervous or afraid. This is normal. But you should never state this out loud. Aside from being unprofessional, it also will serve to make you feel less confident in your abilities overall, and prime the audience to find flaws with your speech. Instead, keep up the facade of absolute confidence and you will find it influencing your attitude. “Fake it till you make it”, as they say. 

These strategies all center around practicing and honing your final speech beforehand. Practice is absolutely important but so is ensuring you congratulate yourself just as much for the effort you have put in. Do not discount the power of positive reinforcement, as with enough practice your pretend-confidence will turn into real expertise. 

Best Regards, 

Apoorva Choudhary, founder 

Ace Resumes