You are excited to be going for a job interview with the company of your dreams; or maybe it's just an interview with a company that is on the way to the job of your dreams. No matter; you have checked out the company and you are prepared for what types of questions they may ask you. You know their history and their future plans and you can see yourself in them. You even know what the people that work there wear so you're dressed for success for your interview. Even though you live in jeans, you will be wearing khaki slacks because that is the dress de rigueur for this business.
You may think you are ready for the interview but have you given any thought to what your body language is saying about you even before they scope out your clothes or hear your answer to their first question? There is evidence that suggests that a first impression is made within 3 to 7 seconds. That's not a whole lot of time to make a favorable statement, so what you do needs to really count. And according to Carmine Gallo in a recent Newsweek article, 55% of communication is visual, meaning body language and eye contact.
You want your body language to present the picture of a confident, interested and enthusiastic candidate for the job. So here, then, are some tips on what your body language is saying about you.
Let's start with the handshake. First of all, look at the person. Yes, you may be nervous but you don't need to telegraph that info right off the bat. So make eye contact with the person whose hand you are now shaking. And please, if you need to, shake hands with a friend beforehand and let them give you some constructive criticism. What to watch out for? Avoid the dreaded "dead fish" syndrome. Just as bad is the handshake where it feels like every bone in the hand is crushed beyond the possibility of reconstruction. Wait for the other person to first extend their hand, otherwise you may come across as too aggressive.
OK, now you are seated (and if it is not obvious where you should sit, ask politely). You would think that once you are in a chair that you could relax your vigilance about your body language but that's not how it works. Slouch in the chair or list too far to one side and you give the impression that you don't care very much about the whole interview. Sit ramrod stiff and the interviewer will know just how nervous you are. Try to sit back in the chair but lean just slightly forward. This indicates an interest in what the other person is saying. What about leg and foot placement? If you're female, crossing your feet at your ankles works and if you are a guy, feet planted straight ahead is a good idea. If a woman wears a short skirt to an interview she should cross her legs at the ankles, not at the knees. Crossing her legs at the knees would not be considered to be modest enough. The same goes for a man who sits with his legs in a flagrant vee.
By the way, wiggling your foot, swinging your leg, and tapping your fingers is better left to when you want to do the Hokey Pokey with your nieces and nephews. All of those mannerisms indicate that you are not as confident as you would like your interviewer to believe.
What do your hands say about you? You can either fold them loosely in your lap or if your chair has arm rests, they can rest there. Just watch out for a white-knuckled grip. If you have a tendency to "talk with your hands", you may want to first check out if the interviewer does the same thing. If she doesn't use her hands to make a point, then you may want to curtail your normal flailing. On the other hand, if the interviewer uses her hands quite freely and you never use your hands, you may want to loosen up a little bit. You don't want to mirror what the interviewer is doing but you do want to at least be in the same field of motion.
One more tip that bears repeating: make eye contact with your interviewer or interviewers. These are people you hope to be working with, so it would be a good thing to be able to recognize them the next time you see them.
For more good information about the interview process you may want to listen to a show on the subject, "How to Dress for an Interview," on rel=nofollow [http://twentysomethingyak.com/?p=40]Twenty Something Style. It's a lively interview and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Garry Gamber is a public school teacher and entrepreneur. He writes articles about politics, real estate, health and nutrition, and internet dating services. He is the National Director of [http://www.goodpoliticsradio.com]Good Politics Radio and is a charter member of the podcasting network, [http://www.yaktivate.com]Yaktivate.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Your-Body-Language-Speaks-Volumes-During-an-Interview&id=2159173] Your Body Language Speaks Volumes During an Interview
Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts
Friday, December 25, 2009
Job Interview - How Your Body Language Can Affect Your Interview
After re-structuring your resume, spending hours on employment search engines, sending out dozens of applications and speaking to several potential employers in a telephone interview - you have finally scored the ultimate - a job interview! All you have to do is to walk in there and wow them with your impressive list of skills and achievements. Right? Not so fast. Did you know that your body can betray you? Body language, all those jitters and gestures, can convey an impression that you may not want to convey. Here are some things you may want to watch for:
• A firm handshake will give a good impression to a potential employer at a job interview - but not too firm which can appear aggressive and arrogant. Shake hands firmly but not too powerfully and look straight at the other person. If you are being introduced to more than one person, it is better to go around the table and shake hands rather than leaning over the table. Look at each person and say your name - don't assume that they will know it.
• During your job interview try to adopt a posture that shows interest but still comes across as being relaxed. You can do this by sitting up straight in your chair at the beginning of the job interview, with your back against the back of the chair. Leaning forward shows that you are interested in what is being said and that the person conducting the interview has captured your attention. However, sitting on the edge of the chair comes across as being tense and may be interpreted as your feeling uncomfortable.
• What to do with your hands during a job interview? In a difficult situation we are often inclined to fold our arms across our body. It is better not to do this as arms crossed comes across as defensive. It is better to let your hands lie easily in your lap or on the armrests. Hand movements can help to liven up the interview. The fact that you dare to make movements with your hands during a job interview might indicate that you feel at ease quickly.
• Head tilted to the side shows interest as does nodding the head. Head straight up signals a neutral attitude to what is being said while the head down reads as negative and judgmental and whether that is what you are trying to convey or not, it is not how you want to be interpreted.
• Bringing a hand to the back of the neck shows that you are trying to pull out of the conversation as if the questions being asked are not ones that you are willing to pursue. It makes you seem as if you have something to hide.
• Legs crossed can make you look lopsided and therefore lacking in confidence or defensive. Sit straight at a job interview, facing the potential employer directly.
• Picking imaginary fluff from clothing signals that you don't agree with what is being said and the person conducting the job interview can take huge umbrage at being more or less 'dismissed'.
• Pay attention to inadvertent movements that you may make sometimes during a job interview due to nervousness. For example, shuffling with your feet or kicking against the leg of a table can be very irritating for other people. Drumming with your fingers or clicking with a pen also won't be a great contribution to the interview. So pay attention!
Body language works both ways and it is important to be aware of how the person conducting the job interview is relating to you. For instance, if he/she shakes their head, sighs or fold their arms you can interpret this as a subconscious sign of displeasure. Take note of what you are saying that might cause them to be annoyed and take immediate steps to turn the job interview around before they even realize that they are irritated. Realise that the job interview is more than just a means for the employer to determine which of the candidates is most suitable for the job. The job interview especially is a moment of mutual acquaintance. It's a first meeting with people that you might soon work together with. Therefore the boss should actually be just as nervous as you!
The Career Council is the #1 person-to-person answer for Job Interview Expertise. We offer the solutions to your issues, the secrets of successful interviewing and the skills training needed to transform you into a Key Candidate. Check out how we can help you! [http://www.careercouncil.ca/]job interview
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Job-Interview---How-Your-Body-Language-Can-Affect-Your-Interview&id=2244649] Job Interview - How Your Body Language Can Affect Your Interview
• A firm handshake will give a good impression to a potential employer at a job interview - but not too firm which can appear aggressive and arrogant. Shake hands firmly but not too powerfully and look straight at the other person. If you are being introduced to more than one person, it is better to go around the table and shake hands rather than leaning over the table. Look at each person and say your name - don't assume that they will know it.
• During your job interview try to adopt a posture that shows interest but still comes across as being relaxed. You can do this by sitting up straight in your chair at the beginning of the job interview, with your back against the back of the chair. Leaning forward shows that you are interested in what is being said and that the person conducting the interview has captured your attention. However, sitting on the edge of the chair comes across as being tense and may be interpreted as your feeling uncomfortable.
• What to do with your hands during a job interview? In a difficult situation we are often inclined to fold our arms across our body. It is better not to do this as arms crossed comes across as defensive. It is better to let your hands lie easily in your lap or on the armrests. Hand movements can help to liven up the interview. The fact that you dare to make movements with your hands during a job interview might indicate that you feel at ease quickly.
• Head tilted to the side shows interest as does nodding the head. Head straight up signals a neutral attitude to what is being said while the head down reads as negative and judgmental and whether that is what you are trying to convey or not, it is not how you want to be interpreted.
• Bringing a hand to the back of the neck shows that you are trying to pull out of the conversation as if the questions being asked are not ones that you are willing to pursue. It makes you seem as if you have something to hide.
• Legs crossed can make you look lopsided and therefore lacking in confidence or defensive. Sit straight at a job interview, facing the potential employer directly.
• Picking imaginary fluff from clothing signals that you don't agree with what is being said and the person conducting the job interview can take huge umbrage at being more or less 'dismissed'.
• Pay attention to inadvertent movements that you may make sometimes during a job interview due to nervousness. For example, shuffling with your feet or kicking against the leg of a table can be very irritating for other people. Drumming with your fingers or clicking with a pen also won't be a great contribution to the interview. So pay attention!
Body language works both ways and it is important to be aware of how the person conducting the job interview is relating to you. For instance, if he/she shakes their head, sighs or fold their arms you can interpret this as a subconscious sign of displeasure. Take note of what you are saying that might cause them to be annoyed and take immediate steps to turn the job interview around before they even realize that they are irritated. Realise that the job interview is more than just a means for the employer to determine which of the candidates is most suitable for the job. The job interview especially is a moment of mutual acquaintance. It's a first meeting with people that you might soon work together with. Therefore the boss should actually be just as nervous as you!
The Career Council is the #1 person-to-person answer for Job Interview Expertise. We offer the solutions to your issues, the secrets of successful interviewing and the skills training needed to transform you into a Key Candidate. Check out how we can help you! [http://www.careercouncil.ca/]job interview
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Job-Interview---How-Your-Body-Language-Can-Affect-Your-Interview&id=2244649] Job Interview - How Your Body Language Can Affect Your Interview
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Job Interview Body Language - The 7 Most Essential Skills
In these current economic conditions, opportunities to secure a new job are becoming more difficult. Having a great resume and pertinent past experience is important, but is not enough. You are just one of several other candidates who meet the specific requirements for that position. You need to gain an advantage by executing the perfect job interview. Here are the seven most essential skills you need to perform, to complete the ideal job interview.
1. Your Appearance
Making a good first impression is critical. Studies have shown that people can make up their minds, about the type of person you are, in as little as seven seconds. With such a small window of opportunity, every moment counts. Start by making sure you are well groomed. It's important that your hair is cut and styled appropriately for the business setting. Your hands are always visible, so make sure your fingernails are clean, trimmed and/or polished. Tattoos and excessive piercings, while popular, are still controversial in a business environment. Remove any excessive piercings and consider covering your tattoos with either clothing or make-up.
Clothes should be properly tailored. For men a nicely tailored suit will accentuate wide shoulders and a tapered waist. Women should avoid wearing a skirt that is too short or anything that is too tight. Buttons should not look ready to pop. Wear clothing that defines your waistline; loose or shapeless garments will not produce a flattering look.
2. Posture
Good posture reflects many positive attributes and makes you look taller. Studies show, in the business world, that taller people usually have an advantage. It will also make you appear more confident. A confident look portrays intelligence and likability.
To check your posture, stand in front of a mirror. Place your back up against a wall and make sure your shoulders, butt and heels are touching the wall. Look into the mirror. This is how you look with great posture. Now close your eyes and step away from the wall. Take note how you feel, this will help ingrain this position into your memory. Practice this daily until it becomes second nature.
3. Smile
Smiles are contagious. When you smile, you are judged to be more sincere, sociable and competent. However, smiles need to be genuine. Most people can easily identify a fake smile, because it does not create the same positive emotions. A fake smile uses only the muscles around the mouth. Good examples of a fake smile can usually be found in your family photo albums. A forced smile, such as when you are asked to say cheese for a photograph, does not use the entire face. Genuine smiles show throughout your entire face. The crow's feet around your eyes will begin to show, your cheeks will rise slightly and your teeth will be fully visible.
Practice holding a sheet of paper just under your eyes as you look into a mirror. The paper should cover both your nose and mouth, now smile. Continue working on your smile until you can identify, by only looking at your eyes, that you are indeed smiling. Models and actors do this all the time. It is a skill you can easily improve.
4. Eye Contact
Good eye contact is essential, but you can overdo it. Constantly peering or staring into someone's eyes, will begin to make them feel uncomfortable. You need to create a balance. Strive to maintain eye contact about 80% of the time. It is O.K. to look away slightly, as you think of an answer to a question or another good method is to rotate your eyes around the person's face. Instead of staring at one point, move your look around from eye to eye and the mouth of the interviewer. This is known as a business or social eye rotation and is highly recommended for the business environment.
5. Mirroring
Have you ever met a stranger at a party or social gathering and immediately had an instant rapport? Seems like you've been friends for years. Sometimes this is due to common interests, but a bigger influence is that both of you will use similar body positions or gestures. Example: if you're standing with one arm resting on the back of a chair with your feet crossed, you'll find the other person in a reflective pose with their arms and legs in the same position. Only they will use the opposite arm and leg, like you are looking into a mirror and seeing a reflection of yourself. In most cases, we like people who are just like us, your subconscious see what looks to be a reflection of ourselves and an instant rapport begins to build without us even understanding why. Many successful salespersons use this "mirroring" technique to their advantage to create a comfort level and trust with their clients.
Mirroring your interviewer can create this same bond and help give you an advantage. As your interview progresses, simply begin to move your body to reflect the same position as your interviewer. If your interviewer moves into a different position you do the same, but be careful not to move immediately or too obviously. You don't want to come across as mocking or disrespectful. Take your time, move a different part of your body, one posture at a time, until you come into a reflective position.
6. Know Yourself
This seems to be pretty obvious, but people make mistakes all the time because they haven't taken the time to become familiar with their own resume. Your interviewer will have already looked over your resume and will use it to formulate questions. Being caught off guard with a question about your past work experience, does not look good. It can hurt your confidence and may give the impression that the information you are providing is false. Make sure you review all the information on your resume and have a good understanding of the image you want to present. Anticipate which questions can be gleaned from your past record and have answers at the ready.
7. Treat Everybody as a Decision Maker
You are being evaluated right from the beginning. Everybody you speak with, either on the phone or in person may have an input on whether you would be a good choice for that position. Never assume someone doesn't have an input or isn't important. I know of a situation in which one person lost an offer simply because they were rude to the receptionist. This person had all the qualifications and presented well during the job interview process. The company was even about to make an offer, until the human resources representative had lunch with her friend, the receptionist. The conversation didn't bode well for the interviewee and they decided to offer the position to another candidate. Remember to treat everybody as if they are a decision maker and be genuine about it.
1. Your Appearance
Making a good first impression is critical. Studies have shown that people can make up their minds, about the type of person you are, in as little as seven seconds. With such a small window of opportunity, every moment counts. Start by making sure you are well groomed. It's important that your hair is cut and styled appropriately for the business setting. Your hands are always visible, so make sure your fingernails are clean, trimmed and/or polished. Tattoos and excessive piercings, while popular, are still controversial in a business environment. Remove any excessive piercings and consider covering your tattoos with either clothing or make-up.
Clothes should be properly tailored. For men a nicely tailored suit will accentuate wide shoulders and a tapered waist. Women should avoid wearing a skirt that is too short or anything that is too tight. Buttons should not look ready to pop. Wear clothing that defines your waistline; loose or shapeless garments will not produce a flattering look.
2. Posture
Good posture reflects many positive attributes and makes you look taller. Studies show, in the business world, that taller people usually have an advantage. It will also make you appear more confident. A confident look portrays intelligence and likability.
To check your posture, stand in front of a mirror. Place your back up against a wall and make sure your shoulders, butt and heels are touching the wall. Look into the mirror. This is how you look with great posture. Now close your eyes and step away from the wall. Take note how you feel, this will help ingrain this position into your memory. Practice this daily until it becomes second nature.
3. Smile
Smiles are contagious. When you smile, you are judged to be more sincere, sociable and competent. However, smiles need to be genuine. Most people can easily identify a fake smile, because it does not create the same positive emotions. A fake smile uses only the muscles around the mouth. Good examples of a fake smile can usually be found in your family photo albums. A forced smile, such as when you are asked to say cheese for a photograph, does not use the entire face. Genuine smiles show throughout your entire face. The crow's feet around your eyes will begin to show, your cheeks will rise slightly and your teeth will be fully visible.
Practice holding a sheet of paper just under your eyes as you look into a mirror. The paper should cover both your nose and mouth, now smile. Continue working on your smile until you can identify, by only looking at your eyes, that you are indeed smiling. Models and actors do this all the time. It is a skill you can easily improve.
4. Eye Contact
Good eye contact is essential, but you can overdo it. Constantly peering or staring into someone's eyes, will begin to make them feel uncomfortable. You need to create a balance. Strive to maintain eye contact about 80% of the time. It is O.K. to look away slightly, as you think of an answer to a question or another good method is to rotate your eyes around the person's face. Instead of staring at one point, move your look around from eye to eye and the mouth of the interviewer. This is known as a business or social eye rotation and is highly recommended for the business environment.
5. Mirroring
Have you ever met a stranger at a party or social gathering and immediately had an instant rapport? Seems like you've been friends for years. Sometimes this is due to common interests, but a bigger influence is that both of you will use similar body positions or gestures. Example: if you're standing with one arm resting on the back of a chair with your feet crossed, you'll find the other person in a reflective pose with their arms and legs in the same position. Only they will use the opposite arm and leg, like you are looking into a mirror and seeing a reflection of yourself. In most cases, we like people who are just like us, your subconscious see what looks to be a reflection of ourselves and an instant rapport begins to build without us even understanding why. Many successful salespersons use this "mirroring" technique to their advantage to create a comfort level and trust with their clients.
Mirroring your interviewer can create this same bond and help give you an advantage. As your interview progresses, simply begin to move your body to reflect the same position as your interviewer. If your interviewer moves into a different position you do the same, but be careful not to move immediately or too obviously. You don't want to come across as mocking or disrespectful. Take your time, move a different part of your body, one posture at a time, until you come into a reflective position.
6. Know Yourself
This seems to be pretty obvious, but people make mistakes all the time because they haven't taken the time to become familiar with their own resume. Your interviewer will have already looked over your resume and will use it to formulate questions. Being caught off guard with a question about your past work experience, does not look good. It can hurt your confidence and may give the impression that the information you are providing is false. Make sure you review all the information on your resume and have a good understanding of the image you want to present. Anticipate which questions can be gleaned from your past record and have answers at the ready.
7. Treat Everybody as a Decision Maker
You are being evaluated right from the beginning. Everybody you speak with, either on the phone or in person may have an input on whether you would be a good choice for that position. Never assume someone doesn't have an input or isn't important. I know of a situation in which one person lost an offer simply because they were rude to the receptionist. This person had all the qualifications and presented well during the job interview process. The company was even about to make an offer, until the human resources representative had lunch with her friend, the receptionist. The conversation didn't bode well for the interviewee and they decided to offer the position to another candidate. Remember to treat everybody as if they are a decision maker and be genuine about it.
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