Over the summer, my 16-year-old niece interviewed for a job. Afterward, she decided to call to thank the interviewer, but was absolutely panic-stricken at the thought of what to say, and how to say it.
When I asked her mother why Katie, who is extremely bright, was so tongue-tied, she replied, “All she does is text. She doesn’t know how to talk anymore.”
It’s no secret that today’s teens and tweens are the “text generation.” They pride themselves on how quickly they can type and send a text. But how will they fare in job interviews as they get older? Teaching your texting kids presentation skills now can give them the edge they’ll need in the business world later.
Make no mistake: this technologically advanced generation has unique challenges to face.
How do you compete in the business world when all your interaction takes place through symbols and abbreviations on a screen? When you text, tweet and e-mail all day, how can you possibly feel comfortable when it’s time to give a presentation, explain a coherent thought to your boss, or ace a job interview?
Communications experts say kids who learn how to present themselves professionally may not only have a competitive edge over their peers, but may also start to experience increased levels of confidence and self-esteem.
With just a little coaching — and a whole lot of fun — even very young children can be taught eloquence and articulation, and that’s a very powerful weapon in the competitive world beyond the classroom.
How to help
Here are some of the ways you can practice with your child, teaching her to feel more comfortable when she has to spend a moment in the spotlight:
• Ask your child to act like her favorite TV or movie character for a few minutes. Have her recite some lines from this show or movie, and ask her to do it several times. The child may be able to imitate several different characters, or even perform dialogue with friends or siblings (this is a great way to get all your children into the act, and teach them all at the same time!)
• Videotape this. Watch carefully for certain repetitious mannerisms that seem like nervous habits, or just absent-minded fidgeting — things like certain hand motions, or constantly saying, “you know.”
• Coach the child to move around comfortably when speaking, so she doesn’t appear stiff.
• Teach her to make eye contact with different people in the room (perhaps other family members can help).
• Have her practice projecting her voice with strength and authority.
Some of the techniques listed above may indeed work best when preparing the child for a specific presentation, such as a school project. But there are other ways to continue to develop speaking skills while going through your busy day:
• Watch the news or sports with your child, pointing out the mannerisms of the anchors and reporters. They appear authoritative, and sometimes friendly. Reporters and anchors are taught to deliver the news as if they are telling a story to a friend, which is why television news writing seems conversational.
• Teach introverted children to order their own meals at a restaurant. This is a fun and simple way to teach a child to find her own voice, and to articulate her exact needs in a “professional” manner. It’s also something the child can master somewhat easily — it becomes a milestone accomplishment for her and continues to build confidence.
• Teach your child to approach adults she knows — for example, her teacher or principal — and say, “good morning.” By practicing a friendly greeting that’s more than just a wave and a “hi,” kids will start to develop a habit of engaging others in “professional” communication.
• Have your child talk about a photo of a birthday party, family vacation or school activity — something that she remembers vividly. Have her write down the details on a note card, using key ideas instead of full sentences, and then ask her to present the “photo talk” to you and other members of the family. This is another fun way for her to practice articulating her thoughts and ideas without memorizing every word.
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Let’s face it: Technology continues to evolve everyday, and it has made our lives easier, more fun, more connected and streamlined. But our children face an uphill battle in the corporate world if they can’t conduct themselves properly during a face-to-face job interview. If they can’t present their thoughts and ideas verbally, how can they expect to convince a hiring manager that they are the best, most qualified applicant for the job?
Helping them improve their communication skills is something that should start now. Who knows, by breaking up all the texting with some real conversation, you might even become their new “BFF.”
Monica Brown is a cable television anchor and a mother of two, who is currently launching a public speaking program for children, teens and adults.
For more information, and more tips, she can be reached at monicaldbrown@gmail.com.
