Evaluating my Communication Skills in Different Forms

During this course, I have had to engage in various forms of communication, ranging from telephone conversations to interviews. In this task, I will critically evaluate my ability to communicate through different mediums, namely face-to-face conversations, email correspondence, telephone conversations, presentations, and client briefings.

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Face-to-Face Conversations

Reflecting on my progress throughout this course, I acknowledge significant growth in my face-to-face communication skills. However, I am aware that there are still areas in which I can improve. Transitioning from secondary school to college, I encountered notable differences in the dynamics and expectations of face-to-face interactions. Adapting to this change proved to be challenging, particularly when it came to maintaining consistent eye contact and building confidence when conversing with others, especially those older than myself. My nervousness often led to misunderstandings during conversations. Fortunately, over the past year, I have been exposed to numerous situations where I have interacted with older individuals, which has broadened my perspective and taught me that not all adults exhibit the same discomfort as secondary school teachers do. Recognizing the importance of effective face-to-face communication in my chosen field of study, I have made a conscious effort to enhance this skill. Although I still have areas to improve upon, I believe that I have reached a good level in face-to-face communication.

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Email Correspondence

My experience with email communication in secondary school was limited, and I vividly remember the initial apprehension I felt when faced with the task of responding to emails instead of merely receiving automated ones. Email etiquette seemed to present entirely different social norms and conventions. Certain aspects still challenge me, such as determining when and why I should sign off with my name at the bottom, mimicking the format of a traditional letter. Additionally, when composing lengthy emails, I often find myself questioning whether I have addressed all the necessary points or included all crucial information. Moreover, I encounter difficulties when attempting to decipher individuals' intended tone and meaning due to variations in writing styles and the use of emojis, and I often feel compelled to match their level of enthusiasm. However, my current job at Family Autos has provided me with ample practice in writing and receiving emails, which has aided in refining these skills. While placing my name at the bottom of a virtual letter still feels somewhat awkward, it has become second nature during email composition. These improvements have also highlighted the necessity of responding promptly to emails and conscientiously checking for notifications, as often, half of the emails I receive do not trigger notifications.

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Telephone Conversations

Telephone conversations can pose considerable challenges, combining the difficulties encountered in face-to-face and email communications. When contacting someone unknown to me, the absence of physical cues and my tendency to overthink often lead to uncertainty regarding how I may come across. Similarly, while my job requires regular phone calls, I struggle with determining when it is my turn to speak, as I typically rely on visual cues. Nonetheless, the advancements I have made in face-to-face communication have positively influenced my phone conversations. Understanding the appropriate level of formality and gaining confidence in my speech have become easier to navigate. I now communicate more confidently on the phone, overcoming my previous tendency to speak softly and pause excessively.

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Presentations

Regrettably, I have not had an abundance of opportunities to improve my presentation skills. In terms of preparation, I am capable of constructing compelling PowerPoint presentations that effectively convey the desired information. Moreover, speaking in front of groups does not cause me significant anxiety. However, previous experiences have exposed certain weaknesses, such as file corruption issues that could have been mitigated by maintaining backup files. Additionally, lacking exposure to presenting before unfamiliar audiences, I have not had the chance to refine my professionalism in such scenarios. Lastly, I struggle with impromptu questions, as I tend to prefer prepared situations. Addressing these areas requires accumulating more experience and adopting a more serious approach to my presentations.

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Client Briefings

While I have not had extensive experience in direct client correspondence, I can pinpoint my strengths and areas for improvement. For instance, during the client briefing with Appleby Froddingham Sports Club, being in a group setting alleviated some pressure as the focus was not solely on me. However, I recognized that attending a meeting independently would pose a challenge. I also observed that I needed to prompt myself to ask questions and actively engage in dialogue. On the other hand, during my client briefing at Family Autos, where I was the sole representative, the situation provided valuable insight. I managed the conversation confidently, delivering concise and informative responses. Nevertheless, articulating alternative solutions and navigating the delicate balance between honesty and tact proved difficult when faced with questions about achieving specific goals within a given timeframe. With increased experience, I am confident in my ability to improve upon these challenges and further enhance my existing strengths.

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Interview Skills

To evaluate my interviewing prowess, I will reflect on two significant experiences: my Tesco interview and my Family Autos interview. At the Tesco interview, I was exceedingly nervous, overthinking my responses, speaking softly, and stumbling over my words. In this instance, I owe much of my success to the interviewer, who assisted me by guiding the conversation and providing answers for me. In sharp contrast, during the Family Autos interview, armed with the lessons learned from my Tesco interview, a genuine self-belief, and a strong desire to secure the job after leaving Tesco in pursuit of a media position, I performed exceptionally well. Similarly to my client briefings, I delivered concise yet informative answers, establishing a connection with my interviewer. However, I still need to improve my overall speaking confidence during interviews.

In conclusion, participating in various forms of communication throughout this course has afforded me numerous opportunities to evaluate and develop my skills. While I have witnessed noticeable improvement in face-to-face conversations, email correspondence, telephone conversations, client briefings, and interviews, there are still areas that require further refinement. Continuous practice, experience, and a keen desire to enhance my abilities will enable me to reach new levels of proficiency in communication.