Crazy Good Interviewing: How Acting A Little Crazy Can Get You The Job

Chapter 13

Voiceovers: Your Voice Speaks Volumes

Do you remember sitting in a classroom fighting to stay awake while your college professors lectured? You even wished you had a couple of toothpicks handy to prop your eyelids open, so you looked like you were awake and paying attention. Often, it wasn't the content that was ridiculously boring, but rather the lackluster delivery of the information. The professors droned, showing their own lack of enthusiasm for their topics. If they sounded bored with their own subject matter, how could you possibly muster up any enthusiasm?

But, what if they had infused energy and excitement into their voices, peppered with variations in pace and volume, some strategically placed pauses, and corresponding facial expressions and hand gestures to add emphasis? Instantly, they would have grabbed their students' attention. By injecting exuberance into their voices, they could transform a boring presentation into ear candy. The audience would hang on every word and want to hear more.

Now, imagine a similar scenario in a hiring manager's office. The first job candidate walks in and slithers quietly into a chair. She speaks in a soft, hushed voice, so low that the interviewer must crane his neck forward to hear her. Her meek demeanor immediately raises doubts and concerns about her ability to do the job effectively. The next job candidate marches in confidently, and clearly states his name and his unique value proposition (UVP). Within seconds, he instills ...