@newfarer, I hear people say that when a doctor actually knows your disease, your already cured 65% - so take heart

Toastmasters is a club where guys and gals meet to speak publicly. It's not like a traditional class, but more like a group. It has got a couple of chapters - United Kenya Club or Parklands Sports Club etc.

You introduce yourself out loud, speak on the fly to the group on some topics, and make presentations when it's your turn. I'd say it's just what the doctor ordered.

Links with email/mobile:
http://reports.toastmast...sults.cfm?Country=Kenya

Muganda seconded. toasmaters are excellent

Muganda,
That,s interesting.....

I feel you newfarer. It can be a really traumatic experience. Try and relax. If you attend an interview and you are thinking, "this is the most important interview in my life and if I fail my life will collapse" your body tenses up and things don't come out right. It is kind of like riding a bicycle or swimming. You relax enough and the body achieves its own balance. I have had some interviews and the ones where I did best are the ones where I almost didn't care whether they took me or not. I think those are the ones I was really relaxed.

Prepare thoroughly for the interview (know your stuff, good grooming etc) and when you get to the interview room speak from the heart. Be true.

All the best.

@magigi wacha siasa.His thing may freeze in the presence ya mama watoto.Hiyo yako sio ya speech.

Im so fortunate that we were given a practical for our job interview.Otherwise I just couldnt make the cut,I am you typical geek,extremely shy,I stammer in social situations and I can hear my quacking sound while I speak...but its all good,I have learnt to accept myself and even laugh at me.

Even Kifaki gives hopeless speeches and yet hes prezo,and most of the people I know who've made it are not so eloquent in speech just be yourself.Your day will come.

Practice makes perfect... Speak before people who dont intimidate you, and keep raising the bar till it becomes natural. How bad can it get? Dont judge yourself too harshly. After all, Kibaki speaks publicly and he doesnt care what peope think!

Lemme guess....Magigi is in Jamaica or Afghanistan....Back to the topic.Public speech is not for everyone.My high school HM was a very bright Kenyan of Indian origin and despite his administration skills and all,he could not make a coherent statement without falling over himself.In most cases,he left us in stitches.He knew his problem and in just about all cases,he took time to laugh at his own jokes.Picture this.One Sato afternoon,he is driving his wife for an outing and he encounters a student who'd left school without permission.The lad disappears in a wheat plantation.Come Monday and here is his statement:

"I was driving and i saw Kipruto walking along the road.When he saw me,he ran into the bush with my wife"

the key thing standing out is confidence - not necessarily the speech itself. Bifwoli,George Bush even em-o-one are hardly eloquent but got/get away with their speeches all the time.

@magigi hio kali @newfarer google common standard interview questions eg your strengths, where you see yourself in 5 years, achievements etc research on the organisation culture, mission, vision etc write down your answers and practice them aloud. Imagine you are before the panel. Use a mirror if necessary. Speak slowly and elaborately. On the day of the interview note the panelist's names and address them by their names when responding. Maintain eye contact and confident posture. If you are qualified job is yours.