Michael Breslin gave a presentation on communication. His goals were to make students more comfortable with one-on-one communication, provide sample scripts, and better understand how communication works. He discussed important aspects of introductions like handshakes, eye contact and smiling. Breslin also covered topics like body language, telling your story, and tailoring your message based on context. He provided a sample pitch and tips for practicing discomfort to improve communication skills.

1. Communication
A presentation by Michael T. Breslin

2. Michael T. Breslin
• Career Services, Training, and
Communication Professional with 10+
years experience
• MBA
• BS in Mathematics (from Union
College…please ignore this)

3. Who is in the room with me?
• Class year
• Degree Program
• Athletes
• Current/former interns/co-ops
• Dream company? Remember this for later

4. Why are you here?

5. My goals for you
• Greater comfort in one-on-one communication
• A script or two upon which to build
• Better understanding of how communication works

6. The Introduction
• Handshake
• Eye contact
• Smile
• “Hello! My name is…”
• then something interesting about yourself.

7. How did this go?
• On a scale of 1 to 10 please rate:
• How awkward you thought you were
• How awkward you thought others were
• Your handshake
• Others’ handshakes
• Your eye contact
• Others’ eye contact

8. Eye Contact Challenge
• The Charisma Myth, Olivia Fox Cabane

9. Who/What can you help?
• A firm handshake
• Good eye contact
• A smile
• “Hi, my name is ______, and I help _______.”

10. Eye Contact Challenge revisited
• The Charisma Myth, Olivia Fox Cabane

11. Introversion and Extroversion
• Defined
• Who prefers I? Who prefers E?
• Context?
• Easy topic, hard topic

12. What are you looking for?
• A firm handshake
• Good eye contact
• A smile
• “Hi, my name is ______, and I’m looking for *this type of
opportunity*.”

13. Body Language
• Clothes
• Handshake
• Posture
• Hands

14. Tell your story
• Humans are hardwired to respond to stories
• Why did you do this job?
• What did you learn?
• What types of people did you work with?
• How are you better now because of it?
• Use keywords throughout (without sounding
like a robot)

15. Context for talking with company reps

16. Context for talking with company reps
• Networking event
• Interview
• Job fair
• On the job
• To whom you are talking (HR, peer, boss, etc.)
• More?

17. Your distilled message
• Claim – "Here's what I can do for you. Here's the value I can deliver to
your organization.“
• Credibility – "Here's why you should believe me."
• Examples?

18. Sample pitch
“I grew up in Seattle, but moved here to attend university. I’m a junior
this year with a major in accounting and a minor in communications. I
know accounting today is much more than numbers in a box so I felt
my communications courses would prepare me for the demands of
client service. I’m a member of student government serving as co-chair
of the community outreach committee, and in that role I’ve organized
projects for the United Way and Habitat for Humanity. I’ve researched
your company and I know you offer the resources of a Big 4 with the
personal touch of a smaller firm and I believe that combination will give
me the best opportunity to contribute and grow my career in the long
run.”
http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/hired-before-graduation/2012/01/17/3-tips-for-students-to-ace-job-fairs

19. Deconstructed
I grew up in PLACE, but moved here to attend RPI.
I’m a CLASS YEAR this year majoring in DEGREE and a minor in DEGREE.
I know JUSTIFICATION OF SEEMINGLY UNRELATED DATA.
I’m a member of ACTIVITY/I CARE ABOUT MY FELLOW HUMANS.
I’ve researched your company and I know you offer DEMONSTRATION
OF RESEARCH (NOT STALKER LEVEL RESEARCH) RELATED TO FIT WITH
ORGANIZTION.
YOUR TURN

20. Practice discomfort
• Define your communication discomforts
• Confront them by practicing
• Get better
• Get jobs
• Get rich

21. Other Resources
• The Center for Career and Professional Development
• Alumni from RSE and RPI
• Area networking events (Startup Tech Valley, next meeting 12/7)
• Mentorship
• Just go do stuff with other people

22. • Michael T. Breslin
• Principal Consultant
• Inevitable Employment
• michael@inevitableemployment.com
• www.InevitableEmployment.com
• Resumes
• Cover Letters
• Interviewing
• Networking
• Salary Negotiation
• Job Market Analysis