A small group of Master´s students from IE HST took part in a self awareness workshop facilitated by founder of C.E. Ellen Buckland to prepare them for upcoming hiring processes.
The first half of the session focused on building self awareness and identifying individual habits or tics that inhibit effective communication. Students developed their non verbal communication skills using a range of exercises for voice and body that would help them to transmit specific emotional states in an interview situation and reduce nerves/tension. The majority of these exercises have their root in professional actors´ training and are highly effective in targeting isolated areas of expression.
Areas of focus included;
diaphragmatic breathing
posture and power poses
walk with intent
eye contact
handshakes and gestures
facial expression
tone of voice
Students explored the potential range of their non verbal communication and learned how to warm up effectively.
Breath control played a fundamental role in the workshop as they explored how deep diaphragmatic breathing lowers the stress hormone cortisol, significantly reducing our nerves and tension when facing a high pressure situation.
In the latter half of the workshop the students were encouraged to experiment with these new tools and warm ups, practice tricky interview questions, and seek to empathise with their ´interviewers´.
In role play scenarios some students were cast as candidates applying for a specific position, whilst others were cast in the role of interviewer. Preparatory work prior to the workshop had included practice questions and CV optimisation so the role play was an effective simulation.
Each interviewer was allocated a situational state or problem that would influence their attitude and emotions in the interaction. This required that the candidates establish empathy and try to relate to their interviewer on a human level. It also allowed the students to step into the shoes of the hiring manager and gain valuable perspective.
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