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SEVEN WAYS TO STAND OUT DURING THE INTERVIEW 55

, A no result is not necessarily the worst thing that can happen to
you because there is nothing worse than accepting a position that
is not the right fit. You have probably been stuck in a job in
which you did not get along with the manager or your values
were not aligned with the corporation; that’s a sticky situation
and one that causes great stress. Receiving a no at the get-go may
avoid that for you.

Improve Your Speaking Voice

Most of us are surprised to hear our own voice—and often we don’t like
how it sounds. Yet your speaking voice is important for a successful in-
terview, that it not sound harsh or squeaky or even be just too loud or too
soft. There’s much about your voice you cannot change, but you certainly
can make certain you project clarity and confidence at all times.

There are some easy steps you can take to improve the quality of your
speaking voice. Beth Mann, of Hot Buttered Media, a full-service media
and public relations firm, suggests the following techniques:

, Humming. This is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to
improve the quality of your voice. Rumor has it that Frank Sinatra used
this technique as his only warm-up before singing onstage. To prove its
efficacy, speak a sentence prior to humming, then hum for five minutes.
Feel your lips vibrate. Hum high, hum low. Then speak the same sen-
tence again. You will notice a cleaner, more forward sound. That is the
natural sound and placement of your voice.

, Yawning. Could this get any easier? That is right, yawn with
sound (that natural “slide” sound from a high note to a low note). Do
not feel like yawning? Then fake it. Try this a few times in a row. No-
tice the relaxed opening in the back of your throat. Most of us restrict
this part of our throat, due to stress and fatigue. The idea is to keep the
same open “yawn” sensation when we speak throughout the day.

, Donkey bray. That is right, donkey bray. (You may want to do this
one in private!) Bray like a donkey—let your lips flap together and include
sound (similar to the yawn “slide”). Keep your lips loose and relaxed. Do
this several times. Follow it up with some facial stretching—smile hard,
then relax. Open your face as if to scream, hold for a second, then relax.

American Management Association
www.amanet.org