Umm...Like Guide - Interview Stream - InterviewStream

Umm...Like Guide
How to lose umm, like, I mean, and you know
from your job interview.

Introduction
Almost everyone uses filler words or verbal pauses while
communicating their thoughts. Whether it’s at work, in class,
or during a job interview, these verbal tics are often involuntary
and understandable. The challenge is that many of us can’t
even make it through one sentence without using umm, like,
I mean, or you know as a verbal crutch to transition onto our
next thoughts. Filler words then become distractions—they
can make us sound unprepared, unclear, or even irritating.
After studying thousands of video interviews, InterviewStream
has developed 6 strategies to assist you in reducing your
subconscious desire to use America’s most overused words:
umm, like, I mean, & you know
After putting some of the below umm…like strategies to the
test, you’ll develop a new found self-awareness that you say
these words way too often and sometimes even sound like an
idiot.
So read below, plug in a webcam and challenge yourself to
answer at least 1 interview question without saying umm,
like, I mean, or you know. After you finish, your interview will
automatically upload to your account allowing you to review
your streaming video responses online.
See and hear yourself. It may seem awkward or even a bit
scary, but it really helps. Practice, too, as it’s necessary to

study your language over and over on video. You can even
count your fillers on InterviewStream’s exclusive Umm…Like
Counter. Soon your filler words will be used less and less.
Both you and your potential employers will appreciate the
difference. Below are 6 proven strategies.
Be Prepared
• People seem to use umm, like, I mean & you know as crutches
when they’re not prepared. Think about possible topics or questions.
Have a point of view.
• An interviewer or an audience will identify this immediately
if you’re not clear and concise, and have to struggle while
communicating your thoughts.
Be Passionate
• When you have something to say and you’re passionate about it,
umms, likes, I means and you knows will not happen.
• Topics of high interest, one’s you are very knowledgeable about or
experienced in, are one’s you typically don’t have to search for words.
Silence Is Golden
• The trick is to become comfortable with silence. Employers like to
see composed, thoughtful responses, so silence is almost expected.
• It’s acceptable to pause and think before you speak instead of
filling the space with fillers such as umm, like, I mean, or you know.

Repeat or Paraphrase
• Repeat back a paraphrased version of the question. This gives you
several seconds to formulate your answers and tighten your thoughts
to the question.
• DO NOT use this strategy with every response.
Enlist Help of Others
• Enlist the help of co-workers, career coaches, classmates, &
friends.
• Have them raise their hand, cut you off, or pinch you every time
you say umm, like, I mean, or you know.
• Alternatively, give your co-worker, career coach, friend, or
classmate a nickel every time you use fillers.
Record Yourself
This is a step you should not skip! Recording yourself allows
you to study your speech over and over again and reduce
your use of filler words over time. Also, with InterviewStream,
you’ll be able to upload your responses and email them to
others for feedback. In addition, InterviewStream’s exclusive
Umm…Like Counter allows you to count your filler words
while you watch your streaming video interview.

5 StepS
Step 1
Get Started (Free)
Log in & create an account
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Pick Interview Questions
Choose Up to 6 Questions
Click Submit
Interview
Plug in webcam and begin interview
Review & retry after each response
Upload, Watch, & Share
Upload responses & watch
Email to others for feedback
Umm...Like Counter
Listen & count your filler words
Retry interview & track your progress
About InterviewStream
InterviewStream.com is the premier provider of video
interviewing solutions. Their six product suite of proprietary
online technology provides video interview solutions to
universities, career candidates & recruiters around the globe
including 9 of the top 10 global MBA Programs and the #1
entry level job board.
Founded in 2003 by Miles Munz and Randy Bitting,
both named “Top 30 Under 30: American’s Coolest

Young Entrepreneurs” by Inc. magazine in August 2007.
InterviewStream has quickly become the ‘industry standard’
practice and screening interview tool for thousands of job
seekers, career counselors, employers, & WIBs – across 4
continents and in 44 of the U.S. states.
InterviewStream, LLC is a privately held company
headquartered just outside Philadelphia in Bethlehem, PA.
InterviewStream LLC
205 Webster Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Phone: 877.773.3164
URL: www.interviewstream.com
Author: Randy Bitting Co-Founder of InterviewStream