The job market has tightened, the economy
is down, and you've got to find a job, now. You have a job interview coming up
and you need every possible advantage to win that job. What do you do? Recent
studies have shown that employers will form an opinion of you within the first
10 minutes of the interview. But here's the kicker, it's not always based on
what you actually say, but it's on something we term "body language."
For instance, 85 percent of what you communicate is not with words. It's
through the tone of your voice, the way you sit and a wealth of other messages
that your body involuntarily sends.
With this in mind, here are six do's and
don'ts on the art of nonverbal communication to give you a winning advantage in
a job interview.
1. Be real from the start: When you greet your interviewer, smile a
real smile that engages your eyes, and offer a firm handshake. Say something
like, "I'm pleased to meet you" to provide a positive anchor. Maintaining
good eye contact shows respect and interest. Eye contact is ideal. Focus on the
upper triangle of the face from the left eyebrow across the bridge of the nose
to the right eyebrow. Avoid staring at the other person's forehead, lips and
mouth.
2. Watch the excess energy: The more energy you have, the more will need to be vented. This
often results in adaptive mannerisms. What this means is that excess energy
gets dissipated into fidgeting, a definite sign that you're nervous or ill at
ease. While it's easy to say, "watch the fidgeting," experts suggest
you never touch your face, throat, mouth or ears during an interview. The
interviewer may feel that you're holding something back, typically, the truth.
Although this is a false assumption, to try to establish credibility, it's
necessary to avoid touching your face.
3. What to do with those hands
and arms: Clasped hands are a signal that you are
closed off. A palm-to-palm gesture with one thumb over the other sends the
signal that you need the interviewer's reassurance. To come across as
confident, receptive and unguarded, have your hands open and relaxed on the
table. When your body is open, you project trustworthiness. Avoid crossing your
arms over your chest. When you do, you signal that you are close-minded,
defensive, or bored and disinterested.
4. Crossing those legs: Don't cross your legs. This posture creates a wall between you
and your interviewer. It can also become a distraction when you keep crossing
your legs back and forth. Crossed ankles are a "no-no" because you
are signaling that you want to be elsewhere.
5. Posture: A straight posture is imperative during an interview. Pull your
shoulders back and sit up straight. You'll give yourself a burst of confidence
and allow for good breathing. This can help you to avoid, or at least reduce,
feelings of nervousness and discomfort.
6. Finger gestures: Bet you never thought you had to worry about your fingers
during an interview. Steep-ling your fingers makes you look arrogant. And,
never point your index fingers like gun barrels! These are the types of
aggressive messages you want to avoid sending.
While it's a no-brainer to focus on how best to answer those typical interview questions, don't forget to pay some attention to that other 85 percent of what you're communicating nonverbally. It can pay dividends after your interview when you realize your body often speaks louder than your words.
Source: CP
