Likely, many people still think Toastmasters is about public speaking skills. That is still a major component, but there is so much more.

I joined some 23 years ago to develop my public speaking skills. I stay because of the growth opportunities.

Learning to speak publicly and to communicate more effectively help to develop your self-confidence. And that really is where the leverage point is. The more challenges you take on, the more your self-confidence increases. The more your self-confidence increases the better you are to take on ever increasing challenges. Which of course … leads to increasing your self-confidence even more.

Years ago, Toastmasters International factored in leadership training and opportunities to their program. In order to develop leadership skills, you have to actually lead someone.

There are multiple levels of servant leadership within the Toastmasters organization and each level you take on provides guidance, training and feedback. Once again, this adds to your self-confidence.

Your increased communication skills, your effective leadership skills and your increased self-confidence is what will give you the courage and determination to apply for higher paying jobs.

While making ever-increasing amounts of money is desirable, you may find it just as important to find a job that satisfies other needs such as creativity, excitement, a sense of satisfaction etc.

Working through the Communication program and delivering speeches, including Table Topics i.e. impromptu speaking, will help with answering interview questions.

You still need to know the tactics of how to answer job interview questions though. What would wow your fellow club members in a Table Topics session may blow your chances of being offered a job, if you don’t tell your interviewer what they want to hear.