Health and Human Services Professional Development

The Role of Body Language and Nonverbals by   Jill Bowers   on   June 30, 2013 As you prepare for job interviews, conferences, career fairs, or other networking opportunities, have you considered the role of your body language? This could include posture, handshakes, and facial expressions. In this Ted Talks video, Amy Cuddy (social psychologist, professor and researcher at Harvard Business School) talks about her research on  nonverbal cues, how they can influences others’ perceptions of you , and how  you may be influenced by your own nonverbals .     Watch the Ted Talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_may_shape_who_you_are?language=en   *Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers)

The Art of Self-Disclosure by   Jill Bowers   on   June 30, 2013   How much information will  you  disclose in an interview or professional setting? It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” This does not mean you should have to feel insecure that everything you say might be stupid or offend someone. What it does mean, however, is that you should think before you speak. In doing this, you can avoid disclosing  too much  information about yourself. In fact,  what  or  how much  you disclose can influence how others’ perceive you and how much they trust you as a potential employee or colleague. For example, “too much disclosure” may cause an interviewer to think you have “issues” or cause them to question your ability to keep information about their company or clients confidential. Not enough disclosure, on the other hand, can make you appear “c...

Communicating with Professors, Employers, or Potential Employers by   Jill Bowers   on   June 3, 2013 Communication is a social or personal skill that when done right, plays a role in your success in college, on the job market, and in work settings. Here are some basic tips to consider when communicating (written, oral, or nonverbal) with others in professional settings. Written or electronic communication Written or electronic communication may be one of the first contacts that you make with a professional. First impressions are critical. Address professors, employers, or potential employers with proper salutations. Although you may hear someone else call that person by their first name, do not take it upon yourself to consider it okay to do the same unless that person offers (e.g., “You can call me ‘Justin’ rather than Dr. Smith.” For those that have PhDs or MDs, addressing them as “Dr. X” is appropriate. If it is a professor and you are unsure, you can always ...