In a competitive job market, an applicant’s speaking voice may make the difference in whether he or she gets hired or passed over.

“Do not underestimate the power of your speaking voice,” says Renee Grant-Williams, expert voice coach to business professionals, political candidates and some of the recording industry’s biggest stars. “The way your voice represents you is an essential part of the impression you make. During an interview, selling your presence is as important as selling your skills. It all comes down to what you communicate about yourself. “

“Clear audible projection and a strong voice are by-products of a strong presence,” says Grant-Williams. “Using your entire body when you speak gives the impression that you are a person of substance and stand firmly behind what you say.”

Grant-Williams offers five tips to help ensure that an applicant’s voice is an asset during an interview:

1) Exercise. A short workout the morning of a big interview will get the blood flowing and increase that all-important energy and vitality.
2) Breathe. Take slow deep breaths before the interview. This helps to center the body, reduce stress, and keep the speaking voice steady and confident.
3) Be positive and enthusiastic. Everything discussed during the interview should be in a positive tone of voice. The prevailing vocal tone should register enthusiasm for learning more about the company, the position, and opportunities for advancement. When an applicant presents an upbeat attitude, it is difficult for the interviewer not to respond in kind.
4) Emphasize consonants. Use strong consonant sounds at the beginning of words that punch-up the positive aspects of all relevant qualifications and work history. For example, “That project was vvvery successful.”
5) Pause for additional emphasis. Well-timed pauses give special emphasis to anything that is important for the interviewer to digest and remember.

Finally, Grant-Williams reminds job seekers that silence can be golden. “Demonstrate that you are comfortable with silence,” says Grant-Williams. “Say what you need to say then quit talking. Don’t volunteer information that is not requested unless you are absolutely sure it will advance your cause.”

Grant-Williams offers more tips in her book, “Voice Power: Using Your Voice to Captivate, Persuade, and Command Attention” published by AMACOM Books, New York. This book is endorsed by Paul Harvey and was selected by “Soundview Executive Book Summaries” as one of the best business books of 2002.

Renee Grant-Williams coaches business executives, sales professionals and celebrities including Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, and Huey Lewis. She has been quoted by Cosmopolitan, US Weekly, TV Guide, Business Week, Southern Living, the Associated Press, UPI, the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Boston Globe, and the San Francisco Chronicle. She has appeared on many broadcast outlets including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, Bravo, USA, MTV, CMT, GAC, BBC, PBS, and NPR.

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For more information or to schedule an interview with Renee Grant-Williams, call 615-259-4900 or visit www.MyVoiceCoach.com.
05/14/2008