P.s.: It is finally time for the final blog post! (Yay!)
In my first blog post, I mentioned that effective communication takes the effort of both parties - the speaker and the receiver. The 12-week course has made me believe even more strongly in my point. In order for the message to be brought across from the speaker to the receiver without misinterpretation, the speaker would have to use the right words in the right tone, while the receiver would have to play an active listening role. However, active listening is an essential component which many of us tend to overlook, including myself. I have been putting in more effort in this aspect of communication but I am still guilty at times of not listening actively. (One such example is when I think of food while Ms Kim talks!)
Oral presentation was part of the course that left the greatest impression on me. I mentioned previously that public speaking is one of human's greatest fears and it is definitely mine as well. We were taught that preparation before the presentation is essential and in fact, very important. As i watched the playback of my presentation, I realised that my body language and the way I spoke was a little unnatural. On top of being nervous, this could also be attributed to the fact that I was not prepared enough. Insufficient preparation also led to a lower level of confidence as I spoke. This is a precious lesson learnt. In future, if I have to present my ideas publicly again, I will definitely familiarize myself with my slides and speech, as well as the topic to be presented.
In addition, I noticed that several classmates nodded their heads as I presented. These non-verbal cues allowed me to know that they understood what I was trying to bring across. In fact, I have to thank them as these NVCs also helped to assure me as I spoke and helped to soothe my nerves. (Thank you so much!)
Another component of the course which I find very useful is the 'Job Search' component. During those sessions, we were taught the proper way of constructing a convincing job application letter and a resume, as well as interview skills. These are skills that are not taught in any other courses, but are essential skills that will benefit us when we apply for internships or jobs. Before attending this course, I did not realise the importance of a good resume and I had been using my friends' resumes as templates. All those resumes that I had did not cater to specific jobs nor did they look professional and convincing. Now, I am more confident of being offered an interview.
In actual fact, I have never been to an official job interview. The mock interview session that we had definitely gave me a rough idea of what to expect at an interview. Now, I understand that not only do we have to learn to 'sell ourselves', we also have to be confident, maintain eye contact with the interviewers and be appropriately groomed. With these interview tips and with sufficient preparation, I am now more certain of how to prepare for an interview in future.
Oral presentation was part of the course that left the greatest impression on me. I mentioned previously that public speaking is one of human's greatest fears and it is definitely mine as well. We were taught that preparation before the presentation is essential and in fact, very important. As i watched the playback of my presentation, I realised that my body language and the way I spoke was a little unnatural. On top of being nervous, this could also be attributed to the fact that I was not prepared enough. Insufficient preparation also led to a lower level of confidence as I spoke. This is a precious lesson learnt. In future, if I have to present my ideas publicly again, I will definitely familiarize myself with my slides and speech, as well as the topic to be presented.
In addition, I noticed that several classmates nodded their heads as I presented. These non-verbal cues allowed me to know that they understood what I was trying to bring across. In fact, I have to thank them as these NVCs also helped to assure me as I spoke and helped to soothe my nerves. (Thank you so much!)
Another component of the course which I find very useful is the 'Job Search' component. During those sessions, we were taught the proper way of constructing a convincing job application letter and a resume, as well as interview skills. These are skills that are not taught in any other courses, but are essential skills that will benefit us when we apply for internships or jobs. Before attending this course, I did not realise the importance of a good resume and I had been using my friends' resumes as templates. All those resumes that I had did not cater to specific jobs nor did they look professional and convincing. Now, I am more confident of being offered an interview.
In actual fact, I have never been to an official job interview. The mock interview session that we had definitely gave me a rough idea of what to expect at an interview. Now, I understand that not only do we have to learn to 'sell ourselves', we also have to be confident, maintain eye contact with the interviewers and be appropriately groomed. With these interview tips and with sufficient preparation, I am now more certain of how to prepare for an interview in future.
To conclude my final blog post (and final assignment for the course!), I have to say that I did not regret taking up this course as the skills that I have learnt will be beneficial for life. It was also great to make friends with my coursemates and I really did enjoy the company of the class (All those squeezing-into-the-lift times). However, I have to admit that I did curse the course once in a while when there was too much work piling up. The weekly blog posts often made me dread the arrival of the weekends!
Dear all: Please do keep in contact, and TIMBRE AFTER EXAMS!
A collage to end off my post. My apologies to those not captured in my camera. CG, please upload the photos! (:
Dear all: Please do keep in contact, and TIMBRE AFTER EXAMS!
A collage to end off my post. My apologies to those not captured in my camera. CG, please upload the photos! (:
.jpg)
6 comments:
Hi Jia Hwa,
I think you did a great job for the oral presentation and spoke quite well. I also agree with you on the point about active listening. It is important to remember what others say and also to act on it.
One example to illustrate active listening is during your Q & A session for the oral presentation. I remember someone asked your group what SCORE stood for and your group fumbled before answering properly. I was groaning inwardly (remember, Gary, Zhi Lian and I were grading you) because I remember that our group helped you to review your survey report and we asked you the same question.
So you should have practised active listening and edited your survey report to reflect the full name of SCORE and to remember that noobs like us do not usually know what the initials stand for. :)
Hi Jia Hwa! I agree with you that oral presentation preparation is very important for us as it will show that
we are confident so that we can strike a deal when we have to present
our proposals to our clients in the future. Therefore, through this experience in the course, it has also taught me to be thoroughly prepared when i want to give any oral presentation in the future. I also agree that the mock interview session that we had equipped us with the kind of questions that an interviewer will ask us. Therefore, preparing us for any interviews for our jobs. Therefore to sum up, this module is an excellent module to take.
Hi Jia Hwa! I had both my hands up in the air when you mentioned that the oral presentation was one of the most important part of this course. I think I'm one of the "nodding" classmates! I certainly have to improve on my oral presentation skills too. The job application components (mock interview, letter and resume) that you have mentioned are also very applicable, especially the interview tips to prepare us for a future interview with our employers.
It was definitely a great module with you as my classmate. All the best to the coming exams! Oh, upload the photos you have taken too! Keep in touch!
Hi Jia Hwa,
Like you, oral presentation is one of my greatest fears, hence I can really relate to you. I received feedback that I sounded a little too unnatural and robotic during mypresentation! Body language is also something that I need to work on. To be frank, I really dreaded the oral presentation initially!
I feel that your presentation was fine and you did not seem too nervous! You probably managed to conceal your nervousness quite well!
I guess we just need more practice! =)
Lastly, I really agree with you that the NVCs by the audience are really assuring, especially for a monotnous speaker like me, because I think I tend to bore my listners! Hence, it is really important for me to know if they are still with me!
Hey Jia Hwa, I think you did a great job for the presentation too. It was much natural and not robotic sounding at all.
As for the resume, I'm so thankful that we learnt how to write an impressive resume. Let's face it, I do not have all those great accomplishments and awards but at least, I can impress them in a whole other way.
Now, I guess its up to us to actually keep what we learn in our mind. The best way is to apply it constantly so that we do not forget. Yikes, I fear that I may have forgotten some of the active listening skills.
Illya
Hi Jia Hwa,
Thanks for your honest reflection - especially about the e-portfolio and thinking about food while I'm talking. Looks like I must work harder to ensure my message is being conveyed effectively across to my audience!
Am happy to hear that you found the module useful and that it has given you more confidence to handle real-life situations such as writing resumes and presenting yourself at interviews.
Thanks for all your hard work and effort.
All the best!
Post a Comment