Express to Impress Podcast

Unemployment is common, especially nowadays, with Covid-19 layoffs. There's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, and there's no reason to hide that you're unemployed from your family, friends, and professional network. In fact, you are far more likely to land a job quickly if you do tell people you're unemployed. Yet, it's not something that just rolls off the tongue. 

In this episode, you will learn what details you need to share when telling someone you're looking for a job. You'll also learn the attitude you should adopt and what not to say. Then, you'll hear a story from when I attended a career fair with my sister, and she told a lot of people she was looking for a job. I share how we prepared for it and how it paid off for her big time.

In the end, you'll hear definitions of ten idioms and phrases that came up during the episode.

Transcript at https://www.express-to-impress.com/say-youre-job-searching/. 
Infographics for this episode at https://www.pinterest.com/ExpresstoImpress/. 
YouTube version at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgTiXmrQ6kc&list=PL7LQdcBl7p6714Rb58JfdgDWPhbuLzMYJ&index=7&t=0s. 

Guessing what your interviewer will ask you can be difficult, but you can always count on the question, “Can you tell me about yourself?” That means that you can be well-prepared for at least one question! When you deliver a great answer at the start of your interview, it will give you confidence and impress your interviewer.

In this episode, you will learn the three goals you need to achieve in an interview to be successful. Then, you’ll learn about what the interviewer is looking for when they ask, “Can you tell me about yourself?” You’ll also hear three well-crafted answers to the question and tips for how you can answer the question.

If you want to increase your English vocabulary, continue listening to the end, where you’ll hear definitions of five idioms and phrases that came up during the episode.

Transcript at https://www.express-to-impress.com/tell-me-about-yourself/.
Infographics for this episode at https://www.pinterest.com/ExpresstoImpress/.
Youtube Version at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UIjqxty2HE&list=PL7LQdcBl7p6714Rb58JfdgDWPhbuLzMYJ&index=6&t=10s.

Guessing what your interviewer will ask you can be difficult, but you can always count on the question, “Can you tell me about yourself?” That means that you can be well-prepared for at least one question! When you deliver a great answer at the start of your interview, it will give you confidence and impress your interviewer.

In this episode, you will learn the three goals you need to achieve in an interview to be successful. Then, you’ll learn about what the interviewer is looking for when they ask, “Can you tell me about yourself?” You’ll also hear three well-crafted answers to the question and tips for how you can answer the question.

If you want to increase your English vocabulary, continue listening to the end, where you’ll hear definitions of five idioms and phrases that came up during the episode.

Transcript at https://www.express-to-impress.com/tell-me-about-yourself/.
Infographics for this episode at https://www.pinterest.com/ExpresstoImpress/.
Youtube Version at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UIjqxty2HE&list=PL7LQdcBl7p6714Rb58JfdgDWPhbuLzMYJ&index=6&t=10s.

Company culture matters. A common reason people are motivated to switch jobs is a desire for a different company culture. When employees fit into the culture of a company, they not only feel more comfortable, like they are at their home away from home, but they are happier, more engaged, and more productive. 

In this episode, I walk you through questions to identify the type of culture you want in a company. You'll hear some of the most memorable and shocking answers I've heard from clients as we've talked about company culture. Then, I share steps that you can take to find companies with attractive cultures. Finally, I share what to do during a job interview to detect the culture of the company. You'll learn what to look for and questions to ask your interviewers. The episode concludes with definitions for nine idioms and phrases for English language learners.

Transcript at https://www.express-to-impress.com/culture-of-a-company/. 
Infographics from this episode at https://www.pinterest.com/ExpresstoImpress/. 
YouTube version at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvLn8y-6lb0&list=PL7LQdcBl7p6714Rb58JfdgDWPhbuLzMYJ&index=5&t=2s.

Company culture matters. A common reason people are motivated to switch jobs is a desire for a different company culture. When employees fit into the culture of a company, they not only feel more comfortable, like they are at their home away from home, but they are happier, more engaged, and more productive. 

In this episode, I walk you through questions to identify the type of culture you want in a company. You'll hear some of the most memorable and shocking answers I've heard from clients as we've talked about company culture. Then, I share steps that you can take to find companies with attractive cultures. Finally, I share what to do during a job interview to detect the culture of the company. You'll learn what to look for and questions to ask your interviewers. The episode concludes with definitions for nine idioms and phrases for English language learners.

Transcript at https://www.express-to-impress.com/culture-of-a-company/. 
Infographics from this episode at https://www.pinterest.com/ExpresstoImpress/. 
YouTube version at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvLn8y-6lb0&list=PL7LQdcBl7p6714Rb58JfdgDWPhbuLzMYJ&index=5&t=2s.

There are many times it’s essential to make a strong first impression, like when you’re networking to get a new job.

In this episode, you'll learn how to make a strong first impression on someone you meet. You'll also hear a story about when I needed to make a strong first impression on someone and how I prepared for that meeting. Finally, you'll get definitions for new idioms at the end of the episode.

You’ve probably already heard that people form an impression of who you are in just a matter of seconds. Humans use verbal and nonverbal communication cues to judge whether a person is confident, intelligent, trustworthy, approachable, good-humored, serious, and more. We also perceive when others share our values and social status by observing their clothing, accessories, punctuality, mannerisms, and how they speak. All of this happens pretty much immediately as we meet someone. So, when we want to make a strong first impression on someone, it can feel daunting to get it right the first time, especially for introverts or people speaking a second language.

We all know that first impressions can be misleading, and studies consistently reveal people’s hidden biases and stereotypes about race, gender, and more, which influence perceptions. So, you will benefit from the opportunity to have many encounters with someone. There are several things you can do to ensure you make a strong first impression, which will open the door to opportunities to make a second, third, and fourth impression. Your verbal and nonverbal communication will ensure you’re making a strong impression.

Get the full transcript at https://www.express-to-impress.com/ep3-first-impression/.
See infographics for this episode at https://www.pinterest.com/ExpresstoImpress/english-communication-skills/.

There are many times it’s essential to make a strong first impression, like when you’re networking to get a new job.

In this episode, you'll learn how to make a strong first impression on someone you meet. You'll also hear a story about when I needed to make a strong first impression on someone and how I prepared for that meeting. Finally, you'll get definitions for new idioms at the end of the episode.

You’ve probably already heard that people form an impression of who you are in just a matter of seconds. Humans use verbal and nonverbal communication cues to judge whether a person is confident, intelligent, trustworthy, approachable, good-humored, serious, and more. We also perceive when others share our values and social status by observing their clothing, accessories, punctuality, mannerisms, and how they speak. All of this happens pretty much immediately as we meet someone. So, when we want to make a strong first impression on someone, it can feel daunting to get it right the first time, especially for introverts or people speaking a second language.

We all know that first impressions can be misleading, and studies consistently reveal people’s hidden biases and stereotypes about race, gender, and more, which influence perceptions. So, you will benefit from the opportunity to have many encounters with someone. There are several things you can do to ensure you make a strong first impression, which will open the door to opportunities to make a second, third, and fourth impression. Your verbal and nonverbal communication will ensure you’re making a strong impression.

Get the full transcript at https://www.express-to-impress.com/ep3-first-impression/.
See infographics for this episode at https://www.pinterest.com/ExpresstoImpress/english-communication-skills/.

Hello! 

It’s Kristine here with the Express to Impress, and today I’ll be talking about interviewing in a second language. Speaking in a second language is tough; interviewing is tough. Doing both of them at the same time? Well, it can feel like walking into the lion’s den. It’s not for the faint of heart. And yet, there’s a lot of brave souls out there who are willing to do what it takes to land a job in their second language.

So, today, I want to tell you a story about when I interviewed in Spanish, which is my second language, and share my top five tips for how you can succeed in an interview in your second language. Then we’ll look at the idioms I use in this episode.

During my final year of college, I did what many students do. I attended classes while working part-time at an internship. As graduation neared, the company offered me a full-time position, but I did not want to start my career there. So I graduated and kept working as an intern while searching for jobs. I had an income and leverage as I set out to land a job I really wanted. I applied for some jobs in Spanish and some in English. I’m not a native Spanish speaker, but I studied it in high school and college, earned a minor in Spanish, and studied it abroad in Costa Rica and Mexico for about 15 weeks total. My Spanish was the best it had ever been, but I was not fluent by any stretch of the imagination. My biggest challenge was figuring out what verb tense to use. I did love the idea of being fluent in Spanish one day, and I figured that landing a job in Spanish could help me get there. Plus, I’d worked so hard to learn Spanish! I didn’t want to be like so many people who study another language for years and then forget everything. So, I applied for a job that required Spanish--and landed an interview!

To prepare, I checked out audiobooks by Isabel Allende in Spanish. I listened to them every day and every chance I could. I also volunteered at a nonprofit organization where I helped Spanish-speaking children with their homework. I felt more comfortable speaking in Spanish with children than adults because kids are just so accepting, and they were excited that I was spending time with them, and they didn’t mind that my Spanish wasn’t perfect. 

If I got the job, I would be meeting with pregnant teenage girls and their families regularly to explain, in Spanish, the resources available to them so that the girls could have healthy pregnancies and births. The employer wanted to make sure I knew exactly what I was getting myself into and test my Spanish language skills, so they had me shadow a potential coworker. I tagged along and entered families’ homes, sat on their couches, listened, and exchanged pleasantries. I also observed a prenatal class led in Spanish, which would be part of my job responsibilities. It was an incredibly intimate work setting. While I was excited to envision a new path for my life, I was out of my comfort zone and felt intimidated. I knew I didn’t need to be fluent to land the job, but I only understood about 50% of what they were saying in Spanish. This was prenatal vocabulary after all! Not exactly textbook Spanish!

I knew I needed to improve my Spanish a lot to do well at the job. But even though I felt in over my head, I showed enthusiasm and confidence to the woman I was shadowing. I passed the initial screening, and the employer called me in for an interview. When I arrived, I saw a long rectangular table filled with my interviewers! I sat down and told them I wanted the job. I told them I loved the idea of...

Full transcript at http://www.express-to-impress.com/podcast/.

Infographics at https://www.pinterest.com/ExpresstoImpress/.

Hello! 

It’s Kristine here with the Express to Impress, and today I’ll be talking about interviewing in a second language. Speaking in a second language is tough; interviewing is tough. Doing both of them at the same time? Well, it can feel like walking into the lion’s den. It’s not for the faint of heart. And yet, there’s a lot of brave souls out there who are willing to do what it takes to land a job in their second language.

So, today, I want to tell you a story about when I interviewed in Spanish, which is my second language, and share my top five tips for how you can succeed in an interview in your second language. Then we’ll look at the idioms I use in this episode.

During my final year of college, I did what many students do. I attended classes while working part-time at an internship. As graduation neared, the company offered me a full-time position, but I did not want to start my career there. So I graduated and kept working as an intern while searching for jobs. I had an income and leverage as I set out to land a job I really wanted. I applied for some jobs in Spanish and some in English. I’m not a native Spanish speaker, but I studied it in high school and college, earned a minor in Spanish, and studied it abroad in Costa Rica and Mexico for about 15 weeks total. My Spanish was the best it had ever been, but I was not fluent by any stretch of the imagination. My biggest challenge was figuring out what verb tense to use. I did love the idea of being fluent in Spanish one day, and I figured that landing a job in Spanish could help me get there. Plus, I’d worked so hard to learn Spanish! I didn’t want to be like so many people who study another language for years and then forget everything. So, I applied for a job that required Spanish--and landed an interview!

To prepare, I checked out audiobooks by Isabel Allende in Spanish. I listened to them every day and every chance I could. I also volunteered at a nonprofit organization where I helped Spanish-speaking children with their homework. I felt more comfortable speaking in Spanish with children than adults because kids are just so accepting, and they were excited that I was spending time with them, and they didn’t mind that my Spanish wasn’t perfect. 

If I got the job, I would be meeting with pregnant teenage girls and their families regularly to explain, in Spanish, the resources available to them so that the girls could have healthy pregnancies and births. The employer wanted to make sure I knew exactly what I was getting myself into and test my Spanish language skills, so they had me shadow a potential coworker. I tagged along and entered families’ homes, sat on their couches, listened, and exchanged pleasantries. I also observed a prenatal class led in Spanish, which would be part of my job responsibilities. It was an incredibly intimate work setting. While I was excited to envision a new path for my life, I was out of my comfort zone and felt intimidated. I knew I didn’t need to be fluent to land the job, but I only understood about 50% of what they were saying in Spanish. This was prenatal vocabulary after all! Not exactly textbook Spanish!

I knew I needed to improve my Spanish a lot to do well at the job. But even though I felt in over my head, I showed enthusiasm and confidence to the woman I was shadowing. I passed the initial screening, and the employer called me in for an interview. When I arrived, I saw a long rectangular table filled with my interviewers! I sat down and told them I wanted the job. I told them I loved the idea of...

Full transcript at http://www.express-to-impress.com/podcast/.

Infographics at https://www.pinterest.com/ExpresstoImpress/.

Hello, and welcome to the very first episode of the Express to Impress podcast.  I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself and tell you what to expect in this podcast. I’m Kristine, and I’m from the US state of Missouri. Here, we have one of the most spectacular performing arts venues in all of the world; we have the Ozarks with undeniable rugged beauty, and we have friendly people.

I love helping people communicate clearly and confidently so they can achieve their goals. I work with native and non-native university students and professionals looking to advance their careers. Through communication coaching, I help people put their best foot forward so that a person in a position of power can see the best candidate is right in front of them.

Before becoming a communication and career coach, I worked in the nonprofit, private, higher ed, and startup sectors in roles as diverse as marketing and communications, youth program management, and talent acquisition. I have also taught more than 2,000 Business English, Pronunciation, and Conversational English lessons. Along the way, I discovered that I love telling stories. I also love learning about people. And Finally, I love helping people develop communication skills and build confidence so that they find success. I work with some of the most incredible and inspiring people who are changing their workplaces and the world.

Alright, now let’s talk about the podcast. This podcast will show you how to express yourself in a way that people understand you, respect you, and give you what you want. So, if you want to learn how to present yourself in writing, say, in a resume, personal statement, or LinkedIn profile, this podcast is for you. If you want to learn how to introduce yourself, your ideas, or your accomplishments during an interview, networking event, or presentation, this podcast is for you. If you want to learn general communication tips for the workplace, this podcast is also for you.

So, what can you expect during a typical episode? You will hear stories from my career and my clients’ careers. I believe mistakes make the best teachers, and they can be funny, so some of my stories include examples of communication failures. I will also share communication techniques and steps you can take to be understood and advance your career. I will use everyday language as much as possible, and I’ll share definitions for idioms and phrases at the end of each episode. From time to time, I’ll invite guests. I cannot wait to talk to some inspiring folks and share those interviews with you!

You can find transcripts for the episodes on my website at www.express-to-impress.com. You can also send questions to me at [email protected], and I may even be able to make an episode about them. That’s it for now. Thank you for listening and get ready to learn and laugh in the next episodes. See you next time, bye!

Infographics for this episode at https://www.pinterest.com/ExpresstoImpress/.