Tell Me More Establishing a Relationship

1
Tell Me MoreEstablishing a Relationship

• APS Professional Skills Course
• Making Scientific Presentations Critical First
  Skills

2
Now That You Have Introduced Yourself

• The person wants to learn more about
• You
• Your research
• Your plans
• The person wants to discuss
• More about his/her research
• Possible collaborations
• Possible job openings in the lab

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That Next Step

• A carefully thought out introduction allows you
  to provide more details
• It is key to
• Avoid a rambling description
• Avoid going on too long
• Avoid getting too personal
• REMEMBER
• You want to articulate a strong statement
  about who you are as a professional

4
Continuing the Conversation

• Is the timing appropriate?
• How much do you tell the person?
• How long should you talk?
• Are there any gender, ethnic, or social issues of
  which you need to be aware?

5
Your Focus

• Be clear and concise
• Relate your statement to the person with whom you
  are speaking
• Speak in the present tense
• State your interests clearly
• State your expertise and unique strengths
• Do not exaggerate or inflate

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Do

• Talk about
• What motivated you to go into the field
• Why you chose the specific PI to work with for
  your degree
• What your goals are for your research and career
• Be ready to
• Have questions to ask
• Answer questions
• Listen to the other persons responses

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Do Not

• Monopolize the conversation
• Provide too many details
• Show-off or brag
• Again, do not talk about
• Personal preferences (religion, politics)
• Things that are irrelevant to your science
• Previous non-professional jobs, hobbies

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When You Speak

• Think about how you speak
• rhythm, enunciation, inflection
• Eliminate distracting phrases
• you know, um, eh, actually
• Be aware of your body language
• Hand/arm movements, rocking, jingling change
• Project self-confidence
• Allow the other person a chance to talk

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Cultural Issues

• Consider the cultural background of the person
• Personal space
• Eye contact
• Touching
• Familiarity (first name vs. Dr.)

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What to Watch For

• Indications of wanting more or less details
• Timing issues for deferring the conversation
• e.g., someone else walks up, other interruptions
• Non-verbal signs that you need to bring
  conversation to a close
• e.g., glancing at watch/clock, body movements
• Verbal signs that you need to bring conversation
  to a close
• e.g., rapid agreement, closing words

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When You Finish

• Be sure to thank the person for allowing you the
  time to tell them a little bit more about
  yourself
• Ask about future contact, if appropriate
• Email, phone information
• Preference

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Tips for Making a Good Impression

• Stand up straight and keep your shoulders back
• Shake hands firmly, make eye contact and smile
• Maintain eye contact but look away at regular
  intervals to make sure you aren't staring
• Be prepared - know what points you want to get
  across or questions you want to ask
• If you have wet hands, keep a tissue in your
  pocket to use before shaking hands
• Practice, practice, practice introducing
  yourself. Get a friend to help you

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A Successful Conversation Will

• Generate interest in further conversation
• Be the basis for future contact
• Allow you to expand on who you are
• Allow you to expand on what you are doing or want
  to do
• Discuss your goals and future plans

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Successful Researchers Are

• Dedicated

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Words Not Mentioned

• Trend-setters
• Flashy
• Cool
• Rad
• Fashion conscious
• Bad!
• Etc.

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Being ProfessionalIts not fairits just fact!

• Professional speech
• No swearing
• No slang
• Professional look
• Hair and make-up
• Clothing
• Jewelry
• Piercings and tattoos

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Dressing Professionally

• Find out ahead of time what the dress code will
  be for the meeting or event
• Err on the side of caution
• Dress up rather than down but be comfortable
• Dress/shoes/jewelry/make-up think
  conservatively
• Remember you want to stand out because of whats
  in your head, not what youre wearing (or not
  wearing!)

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Tips From the Business World - for Men

• Slacks and nice shirt, both pressed
• No wild prints or patterns
• No overly tight or baggy pants
• Nice shoes not sandals or sneakers
• Facial hair well groomed
• Earrings consider leaving off or small ones
  only
• Cologne none (best) or very little
• Tattoos cover up if possible

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Tips From the Business World - for Women

• Pants or skirts fine
• No wild prints or patterns or shiny party-type
  fabrics
• No tight clothes or skin showing
• Nice shoes (not too high)
• Jewelry simple
• Keep to a minimum
• No sparkly, dangly, or noisy jewelry
• Cosmetics conservative
• Perfume none (best) or very little
• Tattoos cover up if possible

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Not appropriate for meetings!
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Much better!
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Issues Everyone Faces

• Shyness
• Nervousness with differences in position/rank
• Nervousness with differences in age/gender
• Cultural differences in personal space and eye
  contact
• Language Issues

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Your Goal

• A well-presented conversation creates a positive
  first impression!
• And that leads to being asked Lets get
  together after the meeting and talk some more.
  Here is my card with my email address and phone
  number.

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Resources

• How to introduce yourself professionally Roger
  Willcockshttp//www.willcocks.co.uk/Introductions
  .htm
• Hot Tips for Projecting Professionalism at Your
  Next Job InterviewSara Parent, Canada Jobs.com
  http//www.canadajobs.com/articles/viewarticle.cf
  m?ArticleID1254
• Positioning Statements. Creating a Personal
  Positioning StatementsUniversity of Minnesota
  Carlson School of Managementhttp//www.csom.umn.e
  du/Page2343.aspx
• Its Not What You Say, Its How You Say It Joan
  Detz, 2000, St. Martins Press
• How to Get Your Point Across in 30 Seconds or
  Less Milo O. Frank, 1996, Pocket Books
• Thinking on Your Feet How to Communicate Under
  Pressure Marian K. Woodall (2nd ed.), 1996,
  Professional Business Communications
• How to be an Effective Speaker The essential
  guide to making the most of your communication
  skills Cristina Stuart, 1989, The McGraw-Hill Co.