This document provides tips for IT professionals who need to improve their public speaking skills. As the role of IT professionals has expanded, the ability to speak in public has become an important skill. The document begins by acknowledging that public speaking is one of people's greatest fears but provides reassurance. It then lists several tips for becoming more comfortable with public speaking. These include watching role models, practicing thoroughly, knowing your audience, slowing down your speech, maintaining eye contact, smiling, acknowledging any mistakes gracefully, and projecting confidence even if you don't feel it. The overall message is that with practice and these tips, public speaking anxiety can be overcome.

1. Public Speaking
Why me? I’m in IT

2. In today’s economy, many companies seeking
information technology professionals have
raised the bar for what they expect from their
IT department. As the role on the IT
professional has ventured away from just
sitting in front of a computer and towards
taking increasingly senior management roles
throughout the business, those in the IT field
have been forced to follow suit with these
new expectations. A key element of these
skills is the ability to speak in public, which is
something we all have to do through our
careers. It might be that you have to do a
presentation to your colleagues or even
become an IT trainer and run a whole class.
Yes, you may even become a trainer.
If there were a list of the people’s greatest
fears, public speaking would be right at the
top. Public speaking can be daunting. Whether
it’s forgetting what you have to say, having
spinach between your teeth, or realising you
have a tail of toilet paper under your shoes,
fear of public speaking really boils down to
fear of being ridiculed, rejected, and publicly
humiliated. But don’t worry with the following
tips, you’ll be fine!

3. Look for role models
• Watch some TED talks or public speakers on YouTube. Note
their styles and habits and keep them in mind as good
examples.

4. • The better you
look, the more
ready and
professional
you’ll feel.
People are
going to be
looking at you,
make sure you
look your best.
Personal grooming

5. Get ready
• Once you’re prepared, go through the speech. Then read it
again. Practice to your cat. Then read it again. And then once
more. Practice in front of a mirror. Grab a friend, neighbour or
family member and practice in front of them. Every time you
go through your presentation, you’re adding another layer of
confidence to it.

6. Know your audience
• To whom are you speaking to? Know who your audience is and
tailor your speech and delivery to them.

7. Slow down
• One of the biggest indicators of
nervousness is the “Speedy
Gonzalez” talker, lightning fast.
Your speech might be the best
ever written speech, but if no one
can understand what you’re
saying, it doesn’t matter. Try to
pace yourself and remember to
speak at a normal pace when
you’re speaking in front of others.

8. Eye contact
• Look at the audience, don’t
look at the floor and don’t
look solely at your notes.
You will appear more
confident when your head
is up, which puts your
audience at ease and
allows you to take
command of the room.

9. Smile
• Win them over with a warm
smile and a well-timed clever
remark, only if you can.
Forced jokes can weaken the
validity of a presentation.

10. Acknowledge your mistakes
• So you tripped on the
stage. You said Microsoft
when you meant
VMware somewhere in
your speech, so what! We
all make mistakes.
Acknowledge them
gracefully and move on.
Keep it short and sweet:
Don’t torture your
audience by going on
and on …Yawwnn*….
Always leave them
wanting more.

11. Fake it til you make it
• Relax. Even if you do not have
confidence in yourself, try
acting like you do. Until,
voilà….You have convinced the
whole audience that you are
confident.

12. Hope this helps! Remember to contact
our team if you need career guidance.
Email help@ itfutures.edu.au
or
call 1800483888
or visit itfutures.edu.au