| Typically the topic of verbal crutches is something that | | | | apparent when you're in stressful situations like job |
| people are coached on when they are improving their | | | | interviews, but are probably apparent when your guard |
| group presentation skills. Verbal crutches are those little | | | | is down like when you're hanging out with friends. They |
| "connector" words that all of us use from time to time. | | | | don't just appear when you pick up the phone for an |
| These are the ums, ahs, and even in the case of one | | | | interview. |
| candidate I interviewed--fabulous, that we | | | | Your other option is to record yourself while you |
| unconsciously toss in while we're thinking about the | | | | practice for the interview. This can be trickier because |
| next sentence. | | | | you will of course know that you're taping and will |
| Let me tell you--this will KILL and I mean--RUIN your | | | | make more of an effort to clean up your act, but it |
| chances for a follow up interview, especially if your | | | | could work. |
| first interview is a phone interview. | | | | Another option is to just make a conscious effort |
| As the interviewer on a phone interview, I have nothing | | | | throughout the day to listen to what you are really |
| else to focus on other than the sound of your voice. If | | | | saying. Too many times I find that if I'm not completely |
| that sound is constantly interrupted by an umm, or a | | | | engaged in what I'm saying and am not truly "in the |
| ya know, I'm really going to notice it. If the job I'm | | | | moment" that I will start umming and ahhing as my |
| considering hiring you for has a lot of phone work | | | | brain searches for the next coherent thought. When I |
| involved, I'm not going to subject the person on the | | | | focus on the message I'm trying to convey, my |
| other end of the phone to your poor verbal abilities. At | | | | speech patterns clean up immediately and I'm back on |
| this point, I don't care if you are the most qualified | | | | track. I sound more professional and people have a |
| person on paper--you're out of the running because | | | | tendency to not tune me out because they're tired of |
| your message is being lost in a sea of these verbal | | | | trying to sort out the wheat from the umm and ahh |
| crutches. It's a very silly way to get eliminated. | | | | chaff. |
| Here's how you clean up your act. First, you need to | | | | So bottom line, if this could be a problem for you--fix it |
| either ask your friends very seriously and honestly if | | | | NOW! Make an effort everytime you say something |
| you are a verbal crutch offender. Explain to them how | | | | during the day to really listen to what you are |
| important this is in your job search, and unless they | | | | saying--don't tune out! If you want the interviewer to |
| want to hear you whine for an additional six months | | | | pay attention to you--you need to pay attention to you. |
| about not finding a new job--they should help you. | | | | For some people, this will be a hard habit to break, but |
| Verbal crutches are bad habits that can become more | | | | it is well worth the effort, I guarantee it. |