The Hidden Step
www.necouncil.org/the
hidden
step
waves strike the eardrum and cause vibrations that are transmitted to the brain.
Listening occurs when the brain reconstructs these electrochemical impulses
into representations of the original sound and then gives them meaning. Hear-
ing is often a physiological act; listening is a psychological one. Many times
we hear but do not listen.
Being a good listener can help you learn everything from car repair to frst
aid. In addition, listening to others broadens your own experience. Just as it is
helpful to hear all about a new place before traveling there, listening to anoth-
er person’s personal experiences can teach you what to do in similar circum-
stances. Why is listening important during the phone interview?
Hiring managers hire people they like. Think back to a time you were speak-
ing to someone who interrupted you and did not listen. Did you like that per-
son? Be careful never to interrupt the caller. Instead listen attentively.
The hiring manager will tell you everything you need to know on how to win
an offer with their company.
Secret to good listening
Want to know the secret to good listening? It is actually rather very simple and
effective. When someone shares an experience with you, say nothing, no mat-
ter how tempted you are to respond. Often the speaker wants a person to talk
to. Some people think when others talk about a problem or share an experi-
ence, they are asking for advice. Instead of listening to the other person they
are too busy formulating in their minds a response. When someone’s immedi-
ate response to your story is “well your problem is obvious, you just need to do
so and so,” he or she is not exercising listening. Next time someone shares an
experience with you, instead of rushing them an opinion, say nothing. In most
cases people just want a pair of ears to talk to.
Listen attentively