Your Voice Might Be Your Downfall
If your career is going nowhere fast, maybe it’s your voice.
At least that’s the suggestion of New York voice coach Jeffrey Jacobi, who says your voice “literally speaks volumes about who you are and determines how the world hears and sees you.”
A pleasing voice can give people the impression you’re decisive, confident, trustworthy, likable and assured, Jacobi says. But a problem voice can make you seem weak, insecure, unpleasant, even dishonest.
A survey conducted for Jacobi found that people are most turned off by a whining, complaining or nagging tone of voice.
Doctor says it’s time for some tough love
Dr. Paul A. Brown, a physician, entrepreneur and author of “Success in the Business Jungle,” favors the direct approach when meeting with job applicants.
Here is his list of “five things that all employers should tell potential employees (whether they want to hear them or not)”:
* I expect you to put the company first. If you are not prepared to eat, sleep and drink the company, then maybe this is not the place for you to work.
* I do not want to lie to you. You are entering a sink-or-swim situation. There is no time to train you to do what must be done. If you have any doubts about your experience or ability to do the job, then maybe you better not start.
* I only want to hire people with the initiative to make decisions on their own. A bad decision can be corrected, but nothing can be done about it when no decision is made.
* I will fire you quickly if you screw up royally, because I have found that someone who makes one major mistake will probably make another.
* I divide everyone into two categories: the talkers and the producers. The producers will be rewarded and they won’t ever have to ask for it. So just go out there and help us succeed and I’ll take care of you. I never mind making anyone rich who makes me richer.
What, me worry?
Low unemployment rates have fostered a strong sense of job security among American workers.
An overwhelming majority 84 percent feels secure in their jobs, according to a year-end survey by Taylor Nelson Sofres Intersearch and GIA.
Almost three of four American workers think they would find a new job fairly quickly if they became unemployed.