100 Best Keywords for Your Washington DC Job Posting

100 Best Keywords for Your Washington DC Job Posting100 Best Keywords for Your Washington DC Job Posting100 Best Keywords for Your Washington DC Job PostingYoure looking to attract and hire talent and you need to select the right keyword phrases for your job title and description. Intelligence dug into what job seekers are searching for in Washington DC. If youre ready to list a job, youll want to know what we found.Over 632,000 Washington DCjob searches are conducted each month on Monster.com.1That figure doesnt even factor in job-related searches on Google.com and other major search engines. In order for your online job posting to be relevant to search engines, select the right keyword phrases for your job title and description. This process will also help your listing perform better within search engine as well.Administrative AssistantAccountingReceptionistHuman ResourcesPart TimeCustomer ServiceAdministrativeausverkaufBusiness AnalystFinanceEntry LevelProject ManagerExecutive Ass istantITManagerRetailAccountantData EntryAnalystWork From HomeMarketingWarehouseMedical AssistantAttorneySecurityOffice ManagerParalegalQA TesterControllerNetwork EngineerEducationInformation TechnologyHelp DeskCashierRecruiterPart-TimeJavaData AnalystLegalOracle Database AdministratorProgram ManagerFinancial AnalystClericalConstructionSoftware EngineerRegistered NurseDirectorLogisticsAccounts PayableSecurity OfficerGraphic DesignerEngineerHealthcareMechanical EngineerMaintenanceFull TimeReal EstateManagementBanking.Net DeveloperOfficeTechnical WriterPharmacistOperations ManagerCall CenterOracle DbaSharePoint DeveloperOffice AssistantPayrollQA AnalystAssistantSummerWriterEditorDesktop SupportLPNDriverInternSystems AdministratorCyber SecurityAutomotiveCommunicationsIT Project ManagerJava Developer.NetIT ManagerNurse PractitionerBookkeeperTeacherGovernmentBiologyManufacturingElectrical EngineerRemoteNurseManagement ConsultantFront DeskMedical Office ReceptionistElectricianSharePointDa ta findings are based on analysis of job seeking activity from more than 22 million unique visitors2. Most Non-Human Traffic removed from the results.Note Direct keyword searches on Monster.com account for about of job besucherzahlen with increasing traffic coming from 3rd party search (e.g., Google, Banners, TargetMail, Career Ad Network, and other traffic drivers)1Internal Data, Direct Keyword Searches, 6-month average, Jan 2017 Jun 20172comScore Media Metrix, 1Q 2017, 3-month average, (includes all US Mobile + PC traffic)

3 Ways to Get Your Manager to, Well, Manage

3 Ways to Get Your Manager to, Well, Manage3 Ways to Get Your Manager to, Well, ManageSomewhere, in a far-off land of mythical management training 101, managers everywhere are being told not to micromanage. Its being drilled into their heads, as we speak, that they cant hover, they cant nitpick, they need to be hands-off.While that may sound like a dream come true, the reality is that sometimes we need a manager to, well, manage. And after all this training, some managers tend to have a hard time recognizing when their team needs a helping hand. Fortunately, Ive been on both sides of this fence before and have some insight on how to motivate your manager to get the hint when you need a little managerial guidance.1. Spell it OutI know. It seems a bit obvious, doesnt it? Well, believe it or not, sometimes we all need a giant, flashing, billboard to get the hint, and managers are no different. Especially if you happen to be at the senior level. I experienced this myself late in my caree r, when everyone on my team welches highly skilled with decades of experience under our belts. It would be easy to assume that none of us needed any guidance, but that would be a mistake- one my boss made over and over again. Until I finally made it clear to him I needed some help. All the usual signs a manager picks up on to recognize an employee needing some guidance (my seemingly non-stop litany of colorful language, for example, shouldve been a dead giveaway) hadnt made a dent. My boss just couldnt that see I was struggling. Eventually, rather than continuing to suffer in silence, I pulled him aside and filled him in. He was completely surprised and, as Id suspected, hadnt picked up on any of the not-so-subtle clues Id been leaving for him. Whether he was truly that oblivious or just had other pressing priorities on his plate, who knows, but in any case, he needed it spelled out, word for word. Having to call attention to yourself, especially when you need help, isnt easy, but w hen you make it clear what you need, chances are your boss will spring into action. If you do it the right way, of course. On that note2. Respect the EgoThis may sound a bit off, but trust me, when youre dealing with managers- with anyone, really- egos are at play, and they need to be respected. (Managing is not often listed as one of the top ego-boosters of all time.)The last time I had to approach a manager about his lack of managing, this knowledge helped me immensely. We were both fairly well established in our careers, so criticism of any kind wasnt exactly part of our daily repertoire. Realizing that he might be sensitive to feedback helped remind me that there was a strong chance hed take whatever I was saying personally, hed get defensive, and Id seriously reduce my chances of getting the outcome I was hoping for. Once I had that perspective, I could approach my manager in a way I imagine he probably approached me many times in the past with kindness and sensitivity to how m y feedback would be interpreted. (i.e., Instead of saying Youre not really supporting me on the Smith account as much as Id like, I could try, It would be great to pick your brain regarding the Smith account. Ive been struggling with how to handle it, and your expertise would really help me out.) And guess what? It worked beautifully. When I considered all the things my manager probably thought of before approaching me, I could easily recognize how my constructive feedback (a.k.a. a cry for help) would be viewed and adjust appropriately. 3. Ask QuestionsOf course, sometimes there isnt a specific issue or question that needs attention. Sometimes, we just need managers to manage. So, how exactly do you remind your manager that he or she is missing a few steps?I learned this lesson on my first stint as a manager. By nature, Im pretty hands-off, and I had told my team as much, but made sure they knew they could always come to me with questions. The problem was, no one ever did.Then, one afternoon, one of my star employees started chatting with me as we were making our rounds during a coffee break. He started to ask me questions about a particular procedure we had just implemented, like, How do we update the system once Ive approved the transaction? or What do I do if the transaction is rejected? These were all tasks I thought had been clearly outlined in the training materials, but after a few minutes, it became clear that not only was he having a pretty hard time getting it right, but that the entire team was struggling, too. Sometimes, when it isnt a clear path to just spell it out (or its just too awkward to do so), asking questions is a subtle way to hint to your manager that you (or your full team) may need some extra guidance- without having to make it super obvious.It worked for me After that, I made a regular practice of checking in with each of my employees to see what questions they had for me. Over time, they became mora comfortable asking, and I did a better job managing them as a result. The nice thing about this approach is that it works whether youre a manager or the one seeking managingJust about everyone needs some guidance from time to time, and occasionally, managers need a little special help themselves. Try these approaches to help your manager recognize when you need his or her expertise, and youll both be proud of how you managed the situation.Photo of feet on desk courtesy of Shutterstock.

How to Include Your Contact Information on Your Resume

How to Include Your Contact Information on Your ResumeHow to Include Your Contact Information on Your ResumeWhen youre writing a resume, its important to include all of your contact information at the top of your resume. It allows employers to see how they can reach you easily. Without detailed contact information, or with incorrect contact information, employers will notlage be able to get in touch with you easily. You want to make it as easy as possible for an employer or hiring manager to get in touch with you. Read below for tips on what to include in your contact section and where to put your contact section, and see a sample contact section for a resume. What to Include in Your Contact Information Section What to include Include your fullname, street address, city, state, and zip code. Also, include your phone number and email address. If you have a LinkedIn page or personal website, include these URLs in your contact section as well.Name If you go by a name other than your given name, you can use this in your resume. However, whatever name you choose, be consistent. It should be the name on all of your job application documents, including any cover letters, business cards, professional websites, etc. You might also use your full name, but put a nickname that you prefer to go by in parenthesis. For example, your name on your resume might read James (Jim) Santinello. Mailing address Use a permanent mailing address on your resume. If you are a student, you might include both your permanent address and your school address. Be koranvers to include any important details to your address, such as an apartment number.If youre concerned about privacy, consider listing just the city and state. For example, your address might read Tampa, Florida. There are also other circumstances where you may want to consider not listing your physical home address.Email address Use a personal email address, not your work email address. You dont want to mix your current job ema ils with your job search emails. If you dont have a personal email account, sign up for a free email account to use for job searching. However, also make sure that your personal address is professional. Use your first and last name in the address. Avoid unprofessional email addresses, such as PartyTimeemail.com. Check the email account frequently, so that you can respond to employer inquiries promptly. Phone number It is very important to have voicemail on your phone so that hiring managers can leave a message when youre not available. You dont want to miss any important calls. Be sure that your voicemail message sounds professional also make sure it includes your name, so the employer knows they have called the right person. How to Format Your Contact Information Section Place your contact information at the top of your resume it should be the first thing the employer sees. Your name should be at the very top and should stand out. You might make your name a bit larger in font t han the rest of your resume, or bold your name, or both. You can center your contact information on the page, or make it left justified. Leave a space or horizontal line between the end of your contact information and the next section of your resume. Resume Contact Section Example First Name Last NameYour AddressYour City, State Zip CodeYour Phone NumberYour Email AddressLinkedIn or Personal Website URL(if you have one) Expand Edit and Proofread Be sure to proofread your contact information, along with the rest of the information on your resume. A typo in your phone number or email address is more common than you might think. It could prevent you from getting contacted for a job interview. Review Resume Examples Before you start work on your resume, review free resume samples that fit a variety of employment situations. These resume examples and templates provide job seekers with examples of resume formats that will work for almost every job seeker.

An Historical Resume Looks to the Future

An Historical Resume Looks to the FutureAn Historical Resume Looks to the FutureRevamping a sales-focused resume for a career changeThis months Does Your Resume Stink? contest winner is a sales professional who wants to steer zu sich career away from sales jobs and towards absatzwirtschaft and brand management jobs. Yet her original resume still emphasized her sales skills over her marketing prowess. It needed a near-complete overhaul to show how her skills were transferable and that she could confidently make the career change.Every resume has a strategy for the content, the konzeption and the organization. The old resume had been created with a more historical view in mind. So we built the new resume around the new career goal, always looking to the desired career path, not just her work history. It is always important to have the goal in mind when creating a resume because the information that builds that story should be highlighted.Promote desired responsibilitiesWe created a cor e competencies section, following a professional summary up top, to pull in industry-specific keywords that relate to marketing and brand management.This will promote how frequently the resume shows up in recruiters searches. Recruiters will conduct Boolean searches for strings of keywords, and we want to catch as many as possible - not only in the core competencies section but also within the entire content of the resume.For example The job seeker is targeting larger companies, so we inserted the keyword phrase Fortune 500. It was easily done by creating company descriptions for her two previous employers. Both had been Fortune 500 companies and by mentioning that, we would be sure to catch searches where recruiters were searching for candidates with Fortune 500 experience.Showcase progressive careerIn the original resume, the experience with a large automotive manufacturer was fragmented each job had been listed separately with the company name being repeated. At first glance, it appeared that the job seeker had hopped around to different jobs. It was only upon a second, closer reading that the long tenure with that company became apparent. We leveraged that by changing the structure and only listing the company name once at the beginning. With this organizational scheme, it became easily apparent that she had enjoyed a progressive career.Additionally, we changed up the format used to feature dates. The old resume had dates written in month/year format. We shifted to a years only format which not only further emphasized her tenure but eliminated the fragmented appearance.During our information-gathering process, we also discovered there were many details about her work and accomplishments that never made it into the old resume. By bolstering the new resume with marketing-relevant specifics like development of programs and events, the hands-on experience would stand out.The new resume should be a powerful tool for her achievement of her goal of a management position in marketing and brand development.

The Secret Details Into Summary of Qualification Resume That People Dont Know About

The Secret Details Into Summary of Qualification Resume That People Dont Know About schriftart of Summary of Qualification Resume For the reason it is focused on the requirements of the organization, a qualifications summary ought to be on your resume. Based on who you ask and the way youre using it, summary anschauungs can be a whole waste of space or a whole game changer. You necessitate an overview of qualifications if you would like the quickest way to secure more interviews without a whole lot of work. The qualifications summary may be effective tool to secure you the interview. As you make a decision as to what to include, dont forget to alter the text in the sections below so the document isnt repetitive. Its possible to list any certifications you have gotten in your field below the education section. In a resume, a resume summary ought to be at the very best parts just under the contact details. Summary of Qualification Resume Options Leadership doesnt have to b e in a job to have the hiring managers interest List awards and recognition like top salesperson four out of the past five quarters to demonstrate you have excelled in previous jobs. Type of Summary of Qualification Resume A resume summary or career prole is a short statement at the peak of your resume. Knowing the appropriate format is a significant portion of understanding how to compose a finance resume summary statement. Now imagine if this SAME resume had had a summary statement on top clearly outlining why youre the ideal candidate. A good resume summary should also have keywords that are utilised to compose the posts so that you truly capture the eye of recruiters. The Battle Over Summary of Qualification Resume and How to Win It Since you must be concise, its important to work out what you would like in your next position, which means you understand precisely what skills and experiences to highlight. If youre a career changer or have several years of experience, cra ft an effective overview to highlight your accomplishments and abilities. For this reason, youve got to think about the best method to present your abilities. View our Elements table to make sure that youre hitting on the crucial places. Make certain its tailored to not merely the position, but the provider also. Its placed close to the top of the resume where it can be observed straight away. Instead, you can say youre offering career-long history of succeeding in roles related to the position. This instance of a customer service qualifications summary is similar to a mini-resume. The Ideal Approach for Summary of Qualification Resume An employer is the most likely to remember you in the event you close your summary of qualifications or value statement with an important achievement or contribution. In addition, job description because of the employer will probably help you generating qualification statements successfully. Some of the main elements of a summary statement can include things like indicating your career direction (rather than objective), highlighting the quantity of relevant experience which you have, and mentioning the qualifications that will separate you from different candidates. During times of unemployment, many workers find themselves faced with large quantities of free moment. The Appeal of Summary of Qualification Resume It is a means to summarize the most relevant and valuable facets of your experience that makes you the ideal match for the job youre applying for. Luckily, theres nothing like a tiny bit of inspiration to receive your creative juices flowing. People with experience will gain from having an overview of the resume. Try to remember, there are a lot of individuals applying for these jobs and the very last thing you need to do is get lost in the shuffle.To the contrary, it might even impact your odds of finding the interview. To the contrary, it will produce the manager slow down and read the remainder of your resume with care. In this way, the recruiter will find a clearer idea of the kind of work you did in your prior employment.

Be the Very First to Read What an Old Pro Thinks About Federal Job Resume Writing Service near 84040 Layton Utah

Be the Very First to Read What an Old Pro Thinks About Federal Job Resume Writing Service near 84040 Layton Utah The resume writers are generally contracted remote employees dispersed throughout the nation and might even get the job done internationally. The service worked with several executives. If you have the support of the resume service, you get your purchase or time. Youre a personal services business. The Key to Successful Federal Job Resume Writing Service near 84040 Layton Utah Resume isnt just a simple write about someone to fit the first formalities to have a job. Resumes are definitely the most important thing in a persons career. They can be written in as little as 24 hours when needed. The resumes are extremely critical for the people who have got interest in doing jobs. Federal Job Resume Writing Service near 84040 Layton Utah and Federal Job Resume Writing Service near 84040 Layton Utah - The Perfect Combination If you would like to select the best resume writing service, you need to always check the preceding work record so that you can make the right choice. The writing services make sure that you find it possible to catch the eye of the recruiters so that you receive the interview call for your fantasy job. Ensure you choose the proper professional resume writing service based on your requirements and expectations. Additionally, there are services which perform the undertaking of writing resumes but it isnt possible for them to write as fantastic as someone can himself. A History of Federal Job Resume Writing Service near 84040 Layton Utah Refuted Writing a personal statement for residency is extremely critical for many aspects. For example, computer skills like the proficiency in some specific software programs ought to be listed together alongside other abilities that are related to the desired job position. Resumes a well-written resume is a highly effective advertising tool that is able to make your career. Developin g a federal resume can be hard. How to Get Started with Federal Job Resume Writing Service near 84040 Layton Utah? You obviously dont wish to shell out an excessive amount of money on your resume after all, the demand for a resume implies that youre seeking work, and generally, that usually means that you dont have lots of spare money. Dont fall in the trap of thinking that you need to suppress who you are and have a job which you dont want. Due to cut throat competition in the sector, folks have to be more professional and creative to sustain or to receive a job. Think about how much you could be making in case you land your first choice job.

Refresh Your Resume in a Few Simple Steps Find Your Dream Job

Refresh Your Resume in a Few Simple Steps Find Your Dream JobRefresh Your Resume in a Few Simple Steps - Find Your Dream JobIn todays competitive job market, it is important to have an up-to-date resume to increase your chances of getting an interview. A great way to begin your job search is to give your resume a quick makeover especially if you havent updated your resume in a while. Below are a few simple steps you can take to make sure your resume will stand out in the job market. Include Resume Keywords Think about the requirements for your ideal job. If you are unsure, look erreichbar at job listings, or speak to people who work in your industry. Based on this information, include keywords in your resume that reference the job requirements, including your skills, credentials, and previous employers. Most companies use recruiting management software to screen candidates for job openings, so including keywords is a great way to help you make it through the first round of scr eenings. Out With the Old Typically, you do bedrngnis need to include more than your last 10 to 15 years of work experience on your resume. Go through your resume and remove any information that is from more than a decade or so ago. Similarly, if you graduated college more than a few years ago, you do not need to include the years that you attended school. The same holds true for military experience. You do not need to advertise your age on your resume. In With the New This step is especially important if you have not updated your resume in a while. Be sure to add any new professional information a new job, new educational information, new skills. Think outside the box, especially if you feel that your resume is a bit sparse have you performed any volunteer work recently that relates to your dream job? Even if you have not gotten a new job, perhaps you received a promotion or were given new responsibilities. You can also add professional activities, such as conferences, cert ificate programs, etc. Get Rid of Your Resume Objective If you have a resume objective (or even if you do not), consider replacing it with a resume profile. A resume profile is a brief summary of your skills, experiences, and achievements as they relate to the job for which you are applying. A resume profile is a great way to show an employer what you can do for them, rather than what you want. Emphasize Achievements Rather than listing your responsibilities within each job, list your achievements. For example, rather than saying that you were responsible for installing anti-virus software on all company computers, you can say you substantially increased the security of company software systems and increased company productivity by implementing critical software updates and anti-virus technology. When possible, include numbers to demonstrate the actual value of your achievements (for example, reduced recruitment budget by 10% by implementing innovative and cost-effective onl ine hiring tools). This will demonstrate not only that you can complete a given task, but also that you can do it well. Proofread Be sure to read through your resume to check for any spelling or grammar errors, and to make sure your format is consistent (for example, if you bold one employers name, you need to bold every employers name). Have a friend or career counselor check over your resume as well. Update Any Online Resumes If you have posted your old resume to any job boards, be sure to replace it with your new resume. It is especially important that you update the Background section of your LinkedIn profile to match your new resume. Prospective employers will be wary of any discrepancies between your resume and your online profiles. Update Regularly It is worth the time to update your resume regularly. Whenever you get a new job, achieve something at work, or begin a continuing education course, be sure to add it to your resume. Its much easier to continually updat e your resume than to start from scratch every few years.

Beware the Ides of April Tax Tips for Freelancing During Your Unemployment

Beware the Ides of April Tax Tips for Freelancing During Your UnemploymentBeware the Ides of April Tax Tips for Freelancing During Your UnemploymentLooking to pick up contract work while youre looking for the next steady paycheck? Dont forget a few significant differences in how that income is taxed.Youre between full-time gigs and looking to stay in the game - or maybe even considering freelance work as a longer-term employment option. What do you need to know to prepare for next years tax bill?The big difference between a full-time job and freelance work is that youve become a 1099 instead of a W-2. Full-time employees receive a W-2 form from their employers listing their wages and deductions. Freelancers and consultants receive a 1099 form from their clients.Consultant income tends to come in erratic spurts. Keep track of them and try to set aside 30 percent to 35 percent for your tax obligation how much you will be obligated to pay will depend on how much you earn, deductions an d other factors. Its painful to take away anything from an irregular paycheck, but it is less painful than trying to find the cash in April to pay the lump sum on an entire years tax obligation.If you make less than $600 from one employer, theyre elend obligated to send you a 1099 at the end of the year, but youre still responsible for the taxes, so be sure to keep your own records.Read the IRS self-employed page and its associated forms carefully. There are a lot of permutations to self-employment, many of which come with special requirements, benefits and unique forms to fill out.For instance, there are special rates for farm work, fishing and work you do for religious organizations.Self-employment taxThe trickiest part is the self-employment tax, which apparently flummoxed even Timothy Geithner, the former CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and current secretary of the treasury, when he was supposed to be paying it. Fortunately, the folks at TurboTax - the software Geit hner said he was using at the time - have an explanation.Basically, when youre employed, you and your employer split the payments for Social Security and Medicare. When youre self employed, you pay the full cost, which breaks down into 12.4 percent for Social Security and 2.9 percent for Medicare.Simple? No. But you can deduct from your income-tax bill half of what you pay in self-employment tax.And youre supposed to pay it quarterly, using the amount you made during the previous three months to estimate how much youll make during the whole year.Unemployment and job huntingUnemployment benefits are taxable, by the way, but not all of them. The first $2,400 is all yours, though thats new for 2009. For the rest, you should have the unemployment office withhold about 10 percent.Luckily, much of the money youre spending on job searching - for resume rewrites, career coaching and job-search services like Ladders - are deductible. So are transportation costs, parking, tolls and other t ravel expenses directly related to your job search.The bottom line? If you have income from several sources and have become a 1099 after a career as a W-2, and dont have any special background or skills in tax preparation, get as much good advice as you can on deductions and tax-saving strategies. Then get some professional help. In the end it will probably be worth it.Dont forget to keep the receipts and any correspondence that would help prove the connection, in case anyone with an IRS business card wants to chat with you about them.

3 tips to become well-spoken and a better communicator

3 tips to become well-spoken and a better communicator3 tips to become well-spoken and a better communicatorWant to become well-spoken?Here are three tips.1. Make others feel well-heardWe focus too much on what we should say next, formulating witty responses in our heads instead of giving full presence to the rolle talking. Theart of listening is as important as theart of speaking.When the other person feels truly heard, that person will perceive you are caring about what he or she is saying, and this may make you appear more likable and better spoken.2. Ask questions you genuinely care about or are curious aboutThese questions are better than ones you think will make you sound smart or clever. People palpate authenticity from the way a question is used whether it is a genuine question or just a way to make the asker show cleverness or superiority.Of course, questions can be genuine AND clever, as long as your questions are truthful to your interest and engagement.3. Practice the tec hnical aspects of your communicationSlow down if you tend to speak very quickly. (Visual thinkers tend to do this.) Pay attention to the m or pace of your speech. Match the pace of the conversation, unless you want to deliberately slow down or speed up the pace of conversation to improve the overall level of engagement.Remember If you slow down the speed of conversation, you will become the focal point in the conversation thus slowing down is useful for changing the tone/depth or direction of a conversation.Lower your voice to a calming pitch, but not to the point of becoming distracting and jarring, i.e. un-natural sounding (as an example, Elizabeth Holmes deliberately lowers her voice to the point of being unnatural for me personally, whatever her rationale may be to cultivate vocal authority).If your voice tends to be low and you want to appear more approachable and friendly, slightly raise the pitch of your voice imagine puppies or whatever adorable baby creatures that break you r face into a big smile.Reduce filler words um, uh, like, just. Make friends with pauses in between sentences and learn to be comfortable in short moments of silence. I remember reading a research study that suggests filler words are a way for our brains to scan for the right words, thus Im not arbitrarily saying that filler words are bad. However, using the same line of thinking, reducing filler words suggests you have a good command of the vocabulary you want to best communicate your ideas.Have something to talk about pay attention to timely topics andpay attention to what other people are paying attention to. It doesnt all have to come from you - I have few original ideas and even fewer insightful ones - but I can share the insight I have observed or read about from others, and I can be a bridge or connector in a conversation. You may want to start by becoming a connector or bridge in a conversation, versus a driver of conversations.This article originally appeared on Quora.Wha ts the best advice youve ever been given about speaking up in meetings? Let us know on The Climb.3 tips to become well-spoken and a better communicatorWant to become well-spoken?Here are three tips.1. Make others feel well-heardWe focus too much on what we should say next, formulating witty responses in our heads instead of giving full presence to the person talking. Theart of listening is as important as theart of speaking.When the other person feels truly heard, that person will perceive you are caring about what he or she is saying, and this may make you appear more likable and better spoken.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more2. Ask questions you genuinely care about or are curious aboutThese questions are better than ones you think will make you sound smart or clever. People palpate authenticity from the way a question is used whether it is a genuine question or just a way to make the asker show cleverness or superiority.Of course, questions can be genuine AND clever, as long as your questions are truthful to your interest and engagement.3. Practice the technical aspects of your communicationSlow down if you tend to speak very quickly. (Visual thinkers tend to do this.) Pay attention to the meter or pace of your speech. Match the pace of the conversation, unless you want to deliberately slow down or speed up the pace of conversation to improve the overall level of engagement.Remember If you slow down the speed of conversation, you will become the focal point in the conversation thus slowing down is useful for changing the tone/depth or direction of a conversation.Lower your voice to a calming pitch, but not to the point of becoming distracting and jarring, i.e. un-natural sounding (as an example, Elizabeth Holmes deliberately lowers her voice to the point of being unnatural for me personally, whatever her rationale may be to cultivate vocal authority).If your voice tends to be low and you want to appear more approachable and friendly, slightly raise the pitch of your voice imagine puppies or whatever adorable baby creatures that break your face into a big smile.Reduce filler words um, uh, like, just. Make friends with pauses in between sentences and learn to be comfortable in short moments of silence. I remember reading a research study that suggests filler words are a way for our brains to scan for the right words, thus Im not arbitrarily saying that filler words are bad. However, using the same line of thinking, reducing filler words suggests you have a good command of the vocabulary you want to best communicate your ideas.Have something to talk about pay attention to timely topics andpay attention to what other people are paying attention to. It doesnt all have to come from you - I have few original ideas and even fewer insightful ones - but I can share the insight I have observed or read about from others, and I can be a brid ge or connector in a conversation. You may want to start by becoming a connector or bridge in a conversation, versus a driver of conversations.This article originally appeared on Quora.