***You Do Not Need to Speak for a Living for Voice Training to Be Part of Your Ongoing Development

Whether it is for personal reasons or professional, improving the sound of your speaking voice is something people are becoming aware of because they realize it is part of the image they project. What does your voice (the one you hear on your answering machine) say about you? In today's questionable economy, jobs are at a premium. Having the education and experience are not always enough to guarantee you the job or even the promotion. Because your competition is tough, it is up to you to have the best presentation skills possible. The people who are succeeding are those who speak effectively: they exude confidence. Imagine that you are being considered for a position along with two other individuals. If your education and experience are equal to those of your competition, the decision will rest on the one who is best at expressing himself or herself. Can you say that the sound of your speaking voice and your delivery skills are an asset? If you are unsure, record yourself, preferably by means of video. For the above suggestion, use your camcorder in a mock interview session with a friend or family member and then study the playback. The knowledge you will gain from the recording is invaluable and will show you how you look and present yourself to others. This is why I am such a fan of the video-recorder. It is an excellent tool. Listen to the sound of your voice, the tone, and the emotion displayed in speaking. While you will be nervous for the interview, you don’t want the person responsible for your future seeing or hearing it. When you watch the recording, look for ‘tics’ such as playing with your hair, using a lot of ums or ahs, or fidgeting with our hands. What is your voice saying about you? Is it wimpy or too soft? If so, a potential employer will tire of having to strain to hear you. If you are too loud, on the other hand, that employer may find you aggressive. How about too nasal? Maybe you speak too fast or too slowly. Is your voice expressive or does it sound boring? Are you over 21 and sound like a 12-year-old? Perhaps you speak with a heavy accent and are difficult to understand. These are all things you should consider when you analyze the playback because that is what a perspective employer will be hearing. Don’t allow your lack of presentation skills ruin your chances for that coveted job or promotion. Consider improving your voice as an investment in your life, both professionally and personally.