Effective Career Communication

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁, 𝗻𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗅 Awareness is a crucial career skill that I think often gets sidelined. How well you understand yourself, your surroundings, and your relationships has a big impact on how effectively you lead, collaborate, and communicate. Maybe it's because we're all already great at it....😉 or maybe it's worth assessing our awareness and seeing where we could learn and improve! There are 3 elements of awareness that affect your impact: 1️⃣ 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 – 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 🔍 Questions to reflect on: - What do I want to be known for? - If others described me in three words, what would they say? - What’s a piece of feedback I’ve received that surprised me? 🎯 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗶���𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲: Ask a trusted colleague or friend, “What’s one thing I do well and one thing I could improve?” 2️⃣ 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 – 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 🔍 Questions to reflect on: - Do I notice when the mood or energy shifts in a conversation? - How often do I pause to observe before responding? - Have I ever misread a situation? What happened? 🎯 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲: In your next meeting, take 30 seconds to scan the room (or Zoom). Observe body language, tone, and engagement levels before speaking. 3️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 – 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 🔍 Questions to reflect on: - Do I adapt my communication style based on who I’m speaking to? - Do I listen to understand, or just to respond? - How do I react when someone disagrees with me? 🎯 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲: Practice playback to sense check your understanding rather than assuming you know what someone is trying to say. I think it's useful to score your awareness, see where you might have some gaps and discuss with someone you trust. You may be being self-critical, in which case, they will help you see what you might be missing. Or you may get their support to try something new to increase your awareness. It's definitely an exercise worthy of self-reflection at least! ____ 😀 I post about career development and learning at work. Follow Helen Tupper to add more learning to your LinkedIn feed!

After reviewing thousands of resumes throughout my career, I've noticed a concerning pattern: many qualified professionals are being overlooked simply because their resumes aren't designed for how recruiters actually read them.   The reality of modern recruiting is that initial resume reviews are incredibly brief - typically just 6-7 seconds per document.   In that time, recruiters aren't reading; they're scanning for specific indicators that warrant a closer look.   If your information isn't organized for quick visual processing, even impressive qualifications can go unnoticed.   This isn't about diminishing your experience or accomplishments - it's about presenting them in a format that aligns with the realities of recruitment workflows.   Think of it as the difference between a densely written academic paper and a well-designed website.   Both may contain the same information, but one is designed for deep study while the other is optimized for quick information retrieval.   In today's competitive landscape, ensuring your resume works with - rather than against - recruiter scanning patterns can make the difference between being overlooked and landing an interview.   What aspect of the modern job search process have you found most surprising or challenging?   Check out my newsletter for more insights here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju     #executiverecruiter #eliterecruiter #jobmarket2025 #profoliosai #resume #jobstrategy #professionalcommunication #jobsearchrealities #recruiterperspective

𝗔 𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿, 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝘆𝘄𝗮𝘆 I’ve been writing since college. Journals, blog drafts, even half-finished stories no one ever read. At the time, it felt like just a hobby, something outside “serious career growth.” But looking back, writing has quietly shaped the way I work more than any job training. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗠𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 📍Clarity of thought: When you write, you realize how messy your thinking really is. Writing forced me to simplify ideas, which later made my presentations sharper. 📍Influence without authority: On paper, I could persuade without status. That translated directly into writing proposals and client notes that got approved faster. 📍Consistency muscle: Showing up to write, even when no one reads, built the discipline I now use for long projects at work. Harvard Business Review notes 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 30% 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮. LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report found “communication” is consistently rated as one of the top 5 most in-demand skills globally. Turns out, my hobby wasn’t just about words. It was quiet career training in disguise. 👉 The Takeaway 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗯𝗯𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿. Take 10 minutes today to write one page about a problem you’re solving at work. Not for LinkedIn, not for your boss, just for you. You’ll be surprised how much clearer your thinking gets. 💬 What’s one hobby that’s given you an unexpected career advantage? #CareerGrowth #Communication #SoftSkills #Writing #MakeLinkedInWorkForYou

After analyzing 1,000s of first impressions it’s clear: A first impression is made before you say a single word. And there are 3 mistakes costing you opportunities: For context, most people (especially introverts) want to believe their first impression starts when they start speaking. The science says otherwise: Someone decides if they like you, trust you or want to work with you, the moment they first see you - when you walk into a room, open a door, or even when someone looks at your profile picture. After analyzing thousands of first encounters, I've identified what I call the 'triple threat' of first impression mistakes that people unknowingly make: 1. Making yourself small: Tucking your arms close to your sides and hunching your shoulders signals low confidence and submissiveness. The less space you take up, the less powerful you appear. This is why waiting for your job interview or date while checking your phone is sabotaging you before you've said hello. Every time you look down at your device, you accidentally adopt what scientists call the 'universal defeat posture': - chin tucked - shoulders hunched - making yourself small In evolutionary terms, you literally look like a loser. (Yikes!) 2. Hiding your hands: When your hands are in pockets, under the table, or out of sight, it creates subconscious distrust. Evolutionarily, we need to see hands to feel safe and assess intentions. 3. Avoiding eye contact: We experience a chemical burst of oxytocin during direct eye contact, which increases trust and connection. Avoiding eye contact in those first few seconds prevents this critical bonding opportunity. Research shows these first impressions are lasting. If you've made a bad one, recovery is difficult - but not impossible if you practice the right body language. Instead, adopt the confident alternative: - keep your hands visible and expressive - take up appropriate space with good posture - make deliberate eye contact in the first few seconds Master these 3 elements and you'll create positive, accurate first impressions that open doors rather than close them.

Communication is much more than just talking. Because people believe your body more than your words. You've probably heard about the “7%-38%-55% rule”. The rule says your communication is formed: ⤷ 7% by your words ⤷ 38% by your tone of voice ⤷ 55% by your body language Except, it's not true. Albert Mehrabian’s famous study is often misinterpreted. It only applies if your words, tone, and body language don't align, and you are talking about how you feel. Like when someone says "I'm fine". But they have an angry tone. And crossed arms. Yet - body language matters a great deal. Because people believe our body more than our words, if the two are in conflict. Like when you look nervous, but say “I’m confident that we end the year strong.” So to communicate at your most effective as a leader, you need to master your body language. Here are 7 practical tips to achieve this: 1️⃣ Mirror the Other Person:  ↳ Mirroring makes others feel understood. 2️⃣ Move Purposefully:  ↳ Avoid pacing or swaying. 3️⃣ Use Open Gestures:  ↳ Avoid crossing arms. 4️⃣ Control Your Facial Expressions:  ↳ Be aware of your expressions. 5️⃣ Maintain Eye Contact:  ↳ Look directly at the person. 6️⃣ Mind Your Posture:  ↳ Stand or sit up straight. 7️⃣ Smile Genuinely:  ↳ Smile warmly. Take your time learning non-verbal cues. You'll connect better with people. And you'll understand others and yourself better. ♻️ Please share with your network. 📌 And follow Oliver Aust for more practical tips on leadership communication.

**The Essence of an Elevator Pitch in Talent Acquisition Many of us in recruitment are familiar with the concept of an "Elevator Pitch" from a recruiter to a candidate. However, this post takes a different angle: it focuses on crafting an elevator pitch as a candidate to the hiring team during an interview. In today's job market, where opportunities are scarce and the candidate pool is large, the competition for that one exciting role is intense. What is an “Elevator Pitch”? An elevator pitch is a concise, compelling summary of who you are, what you do, and what you bring to the table. It's designed to capture attention and spark interest in the time it takes to ride an elevator—typically 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Why is it Important in the Talent Acquisition process? 1. First Impressions Matter: Recruiters and hiring managers often have limited time. A well-crafted elevator pitch can quickly convey your value and set you apart from other candidates. 2. Clarity and Focus: It forces you to distill your skills, experiences, and goals into a clear and focused message. 3. Confidence Booster: Having a prepared pitch can boost your confidence in networking situations, interviews, and even casual conversations. How to Craft the Perfect Elevator Pitch: 1. Know Your Audience: Tailor your pitch to the specific role and company. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant. 2. Be Clear and Concise: Avoid jargon and keep your message straightforward. Aim to communicate your key points quickly and effectively. 3. Showcase Your Unique Value: What makes you different? Highlight your unique strengths and achievements. 4. Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse your pitch until it feels natural. Practice with friends, mentors, or in front of a mirror. Remember, the goal of an elevator pitch is to leave a lasting impression and open the door for further conversation. So, make every word count! 🚀 #elevatorpitch #acinganinterview #interviewingtips #interviews #starcandidate

Every now and then, I'll review a resume that is visually stunning and seems well written...yet still isn’t getting traction. The content seems fine. The formatting is flawless. So why aren’t they landing interviews? Because a resume can’t perform if the message behind it isn’t clear. One of my executive clients recently came to me with what appeared to be a solid resume. It had measurable results, polished language, and even a personal branding statement. But when I asked him one simple question — “What type of role are you targeting?” — he hesitated. He wasn’t sure. That’s the hidden problem behind many job searches: a lack of clarity. Without a focused direction, even the best-written resume becomes generic. It tries to appeal to everyone and ends up connecting with no one. Once we defined his target: president-level roles in fintech, we re-aligned everything: the headline, summary, and proof points. Suddenly, the resume wasn’t just well-written. It was strategically tailored for the job he wanted. Within two weeks, he had recruiter outreach for roles that fit. So if your resume looks great but feels flat, it might not be the writing or the format. It might be the story it’s trying (and failing) to tell. If I read your resume today, could I tell what you're looking for next?

When raising our $780k pre-seed, I spent much time thinking about how to pitch and not enough time on what to pitch for different situations. Here are the three pitches founders need to have in their back pocket. 1️⃣ 1-Minute Elevator Pitch Perfect for networking sessions where you have little time to make an impression. Keep it concise and impactful by focusing on these key points - 1. Company - your company and mission statement. 2. Vision - what the world looks like if you’re successful. 3. Traction - revenue, # of users, etc. 4. The Ask - details of your raise Here’s my elevator pitch for Chezie: “Chezie is poised to help 57,000+ companies around the world create better products, build more inclusive workplaces, and ultimately drive business results by reimagining what’s possible with their most underutilized asset: employee resource groups.” 2️⃣ 5-Minute Vision Pitch Ideal for pitch competitions and accelerator interviews where you have a bit more time to elaborate but still need to be concise. Include these elements - 1. Company 2. Traction 3. Problem - explain the problem you solve and for whom you solve it. 4. Solution - explain your product/service. 5. Vision 6. Team - Highlight your team's strengths and expertise. 7. The Ask 3️⃣ 10-Minute Full Pitch To be used for traditional, one-on-one investor meetings where you can provide a detailed overview of your startup. Cover all bases with these points: 1. Company 2. Traction 3. Problem 4. Solution 5. Vision 6. Market Opportunity - detail the size of your market and how you calculated it. 7. Business Model - describe how your company makes money. 8. Competition - review your competitors and what makes you different. 9. Go to Market - explain how you get in front of customers. 10. Team 11. The Ask Knowing what to pitch for is as important as knowing how to pitch! Change these based on what works for you, but this should be a good starting point for underrepresented founders. #blackfounders #fundraising #pitches

What Hand Gestures Reveal in High-Stakes Negotiations This time, I won’t be focusing on the negotiation tools, tactics, or strategies I often write about. Instead, I want to draw your attention to something just as important: body language. Take a close look at this photo of two world leaders. At first glance, they look almost identical. Both are seated, both in dark suits with red ties, both with hands positioned in front of them. But appearances can be deceiving. Their hands — and more importantly, their whole-body language — tell two very different stories. The Surface Similarity The hand positions look nearly the same. That’s what makes this comparison interesting. Because the difference isn’t in the placement — it’s in the tension, quality, and posture behind it. The Controlled Gesture On the left, the hands rest loosely, fingers touching gently, almost forming a downward steeple. This is a grounding gesture: calm, deliberate, and composed. The relaxed fingers and open posture signal patience and self-control. Supported by upright shoulders, it projects confidence and balance. The Tense Gesture On the right, the hands are clasped tightly, fingers interlaced, knuckles pressing outward. This is a tension gesture, often linked with stress, frustration, or defensiveness. Interlocked fingers act as a form of self-soothing, a way to “hold it together.” Add in the forward-leaning posture and tightened shoulders, and the whole body communicates pressure and unease. The Whole-Body Picture This is where context matters. Hands alone tell part of the story, but when combined with posture, breathing, and muscle tension, the signals become clear: One individual says: I’m in control. The other says: I’m under strain. The Lesson for Negotiators Body language rarely lies. While words can be rehearsed, the body often reveals what’s really happening beneath the surface. For a SMARTnership negotiator, the key isn’t to exploit these signals. It’s to use them as insight. If my counterpart is calm and controlled, I may need to shift strategy to open the conversation. If they’re tense and defensive, it’s a sign to slow down, reduce pressure, and explore where hidden value (NegoEconomics) can be unlocked. Where a competitive negotiator might see weakness, a SMARTnership negotiator sees an opportunity to build trust, create transparency, and generate stronger results for both sides. Because negotiation isn’t just about the words on the table. It’s about the signals in the room — and what we choose to do with them. When my book 'Positive Impact' was initially released, it was honored with the title Management Book of the Year. The book explored how trust, transparency, and communication create influence and impact — and a central theme was body language. https://a.co/d/cRULOdR #negotiation #bodylanguage SMARTnership Negotiation World Commerce & Contracting BMI Executive Institute UCLouvain I BMI Executive Institute

"Be more assertive in meetings." If you’ve ever received this feedback, you know how tough it is. Especially if you’re an introvert who doesn’t interrupt or feel it’s your place. I was coaching an exec dealing with this exact sticking point. I said, “You’ve gotten this feedback. Let’s talk about what you want to do with it.” A priority for me is to always look at my clients holistically (who are you BEYOND the walls/screens of work). Knowing she had a teenage daughter, I asked this leader to role-play a conversation with her daughter about cleaning her room. She started gently: “Sweetheart, I really would love for you to clean your room. It would make our lives more calm and peaceful...” (you get the picture). I had her pause and imagine it was the fifth time she asked. She began again, “Honey, I really wish you’d...” I stopped her, asked, “Is that true to who you are on weekends? Do you calmly ask for the fifth time or bring up a different character?” She laughed. “No, that’s totally not true.” So, I asked her to show me the real scenario. Suddenly, she’s chopping her hands through the air: “Young lady, I need you to get off the couch, up the stairs, and clean your room right. now. I do NOT want to see you back downstairs until your room is CLEAN.” Boom. Who was THAT? “That,” she said, “was my 'Mom' voice.” Aha. She had the ability to turn on a concise, direct conversation style... she just wasn't used to bringing it to work with her. And the style, it started with a firm movement of her hands. She wasn’t even aware of the hand motion. But that was the tool she needed to embody a more assertive self. Now, when this client needs to be precise and direct, she starts with that hand movement. It cues her body into an assertive character without overthinking every word. Key takeaway: Using body language as a cue can bypass the overactive brain, tapping into characters that already exist within you. One of your Authentic Selves. So, use your body. Practice in front of a camera. Notice what works and eliminate what doesn’t. Your body language can unlock new ways to express assertiveness and confidence. There is more to you than meets the eye. Figure out WHO in YOU you can tap into to become who you need to be. #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #Assertiveness #BodyLanguage #ProfessionalDevelopment #Authenticity