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All TCU. All the time.

TCU 360

TCU 360

All TCU. All the time.

TCU 360

Students discuss religious topics in a small group. (Photo courtesy of tcuwesley.org)
Wednesday nights at TCU’s Methodist campus ministry provide religious exploration and fellowship
By Boots Giblin, Staff Writer
Published Mar 27, 2024
Students at the Wesley said they found community on Wednesday nights.

Communicating with body important for interviewing

The body is a very useful and flexible thing; it is an instrument that can always surprise us with its capability and potential.Most people, however, don’t know the exact way of using their bodies as tools or advantages when getting a job, landing an interview or making a good impression to others.

According to Business Week Online, words are only 7 percent of communication. The rest is composed of 55 percent visual communication, such as body language or eye contact, and 38 percent vocal communication, such as pitch, speed, volume and tone of a person’s voice.

Business Week Online also states, “The world’s best business communicators have strong body language: a commanding presence that reflects confidence, competence and charisma.”

But, with some people, the proper way to present themselves in the workforce or life in general was never an issue that was brought up or addressed. Others, such as myself, presented themselves in a different way that wasn’t detrimental but wasn’t exactly helpful either.

Many girls, such as I, have been brought up to be calm, quiet, well-mannered and lady-like. Now, this is not at all a bad way to present oneself, especially for a woman.

Unfortunately, because of our backgrounds, our manners and how we present ourselves, these characteristics and habits need to be fine-tuned and adjusted if entering into, say, the business field or entertainment industry, where competition is fierce and life is fast-paced. Also, mannerisms and gestures that seem comfortable and familiar to one person may project the wrong message to someone else.

Sometimes I’ve made people feel unsure or intimidated because of my stance or the aura around me but didn’t notice at all that I was making people feel that way. I certainly didn’t realize that there is more to landing a job or audition than just pure talent or skill. With any job, a person creates his own personal advertisement on the outside that is punctuated by appearance and communication with a foundation of capability and work skills.

Gestures and mannerisms can be learned. The problem is not many people have had the opportunity to learn or be taught. Most simply observe and incorporate the necessary elements in time. People can be taught business or theatre, for example, but those talents and smarts are useless if one doesn’t know how to be a charming speaker, a shrewd networker or a friendly associate.

People, more and more, need to realize the overall picture of what it takes to land a job and make a name for oneself, instead of looking at it through a small and selective screen. It’s the unassuming yet vital social and communication skills that can give you a boost and can really let your career and life take flight.

Ylona Cupryjak is a sophomore theatre major from Keller. Her column appears Tuesdays.

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