Important Public Speaking Skills for Workplace Success
Candidates with strong public speaking skills are in demand for the many occupations that require the ability to speak to a group. Dynamic and well-prepared speakers are highly valued by employers, and having this skill set can even help land you leadership positions and important roles.
Learn more about public speaking, why it’s important, and how to improve your public speaking skills.
What Is Public Speaking?
Public speaking is a soft skill that requires excellent communication skills, enthusiasm, and the ability to engage with an audience. Soft skills are interpersonal skills that are less technical and more about how you interact with others.
Public speakers make presentations to a group. Presentations could range from speaking to a small number of employees to presenting to a large audience at a national conference or event. The same skill set and ability to be comfortable speaking in public are required regardless of the size of the group.
Why Employers Value Public Speaking Skills
The art of public speaking comes into play in many places. It’s important not only in the delivery of speeches and public talks, but also in professional presentations, training events, and motivational speaking. Consultants, training, managers, clergy, sales representatives, and teachers, for example, all have a reason at times to speak in front of others.
A lackluster speaker can make a solid product or proposal seem less than enticing, while a polished speaker can add allure to an otherwise mediocre proposition.
Most professional-level roles require some amount of public speaking. It’s often necessary to carry out functions like presenting findings, pitching proposals, training staff, and leading meetings.
Top Public Speaking Skills
When you want to highlight your public speaking skills in your cover letter or resume, or during an interview, be sure to go beyond stating that you have “public speaking skills.” Go into detail about which aspects of public speaking you are good at, and provide specific examples of your skills and expertise.
Some of the most important skills for successful public speaking include the following.
Clear Articulation
Of course, public speakers must be able to speak well. That includes enunciating, speaking loudly enough, and using proper grammar without a lot of verbal crutches such as “um.” It helps to be able to talk well in ordinary conversation, but public speaking is a kind of performance and, as such, requires practice and preparation.
Memorization is not usually necessary, because many people are able to speak in an unscripted way to some degree. However, you must be familiar enough with your material that you don’t pause excessively, repeat yourself, or stumble over your words.
You also need to be able to pace yourself so that you finish on time rather than early or late.
