NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

FOR JOB INTERVIEWS

Many jobs have gone down the drain because a job applicant lacked proper non-verbal communication skills, an important part of the interview process that many job applicants pay scant attention to.

The Houston Chronicle states that: verbal content in a speech accounts for 7% of communication’s impact, voice tone is responsible for 37%, and body language 56%. I have even seen statistics indicating that 61% of communication is nonverbal.

If you are one of those who have not paid much attention to non-verbal communication you may find the following suggestions and tips of value to you. As you go through the following suggestions keep in mind that YOU ARE TRYING TO SELL YOURSELF.

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION INCLUDES: How you dress, how you shake hands, your facial expressions, how you walk, sit and gesture as well as eye contact when speaking.

I have broken non-verbal communication down into categories and hopefully you will find the following of assistance as you review this important part of your job search.

WHEN MEETING OTHERS: Give them a smile and a firm handshake, not a wet fish. Many counselors will advise you to squeeze the person’s hand for 2 or 3 seconds while looking into the eyes. Females need to do the same – they often do not give a firm handshake and should. Robert C. Brenner suggests: Keeping your palm facing upward suggests honesty and sincerity along with keeping your hands where they can be seen. Shoving them into pockets indicates a hidden agenda. You might want to consider STEEPLING –pressing fingertips of one hand against the other which conveys confidence. I continue to hear career counselors indicate that the first 10-15 seconds of your initial contact with a new person is critical in how you will be seen and sets the tone of the interview.

DRESS: Dress is a part of non-verbal communication and says a lot about you. If you are unsure of proper attire you can always wear a sport coat, tie and slacks. You can always remove a tie if you seem overdressed. Certainly the type of job you are applying for will indicate dress style. You would not wear a coat and tie if applying for a shop or warehouse job. If possible scout out the firm before the interview and see what people are wearing.

When choosing colors to wear: Red denotes energy, strength and power. Blue conveys an impression that you are trustworthy. Red ties are often considered power symbols

TONE OF VOICE: Let your tone of voice display confidence. Your voice tone can reflect a variety of feelings such as: strength, anxiety, pride, anger, frustration, joy, sorrow or perhaps a lack of confidence in yourself. Try to be yourself and speak in normal tones with a certain amount of enthusiasm. You certainly want to convey that you are happy to be there and excited about the interview and possibility of employment.

Men often prefer to speak in lower pitches as they think it sounds more dominant.

EYE CONTACT: IT IS IMPORTANT to make eye contact during initial meetings and when answering questions. It is okay to look away when THINKING about an answer but make eye contact again when ready to answer. Too much eye contact can also be a problem. If you keep too much eye contact you may be indicating that you may be trying to sell a fabrication – that you are coming on too strong. However, most people who can and do keep normal eye contact seem to be more successful job seekers.

ON TAKING A SEAT AT AN INTERVIEW: Do not sit until you are invited to do so. If invited to choose a chair you should choose one that leaves you open to the interviewer (if one there is just one). A desk is a barrier and you do not want that unless you are offered a seat with the Big Kahuna sitting behind a desk. Other related thoughts:

Do not place your materials on his/her desk, but on the floor. Coats, hats etc. should also be placed on your chair or on the floor. There may be a general use table in the room and materials could be placed there under those conditions.

Keep your notebook on your lap ready where you can take notes.

GESTURES: All gestures carry meanings, some of which can become annoying. It is possible to use gestures in a positive or negative manner. The following are a few that we use and what they denote:

Steepling – pressing fingers of one hand against the other signifies confidence.

Holding your hands up as if in a praying position with fingertips together can give an indication of confidence or even over-confidence.

Holding your fingers between each other and on your lap seems to not be offensive.

Tapping on a desk is never in order if you have been given a desk to place things on.

You can respond to a statement you agree with by a nod or tilt of the head, wave of a hand or a smile.

Be aware of repetitive mannerisms that could be annoying to some persons. They in include: cracking knuckles, twirling of hair, pulling an ear lobe, touching face, rubbing or wringing your hands, eating breath mints, to name a few. These mannerisms can show nervousness and a lack of confidence on your part.

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS: Relax and try to be yourself. A raised eyebrow, frown, squint of the eye, biting or pursing of the lip or nod of the head can denote feelings that can be positive or negative. It is easy to misread facial expressions. Keep your emotions in check unless you want to affirm or disagree with a statement thru a facial expression.

HOW YOU SIT: How you sit is important. Sit straight and comfortable – an open posture – with both feet on the floor. Persons who sit straight or stand tall seem to interact better with others and give a better impression. Do not slouch as it can indicate low self-esteem, boredom and even disrespect. Don’t sit with arms folded as it can denote defiance. Crossing your legs is okay, but be sure that if the interviewer (if one person) is sitting to the right or left of you that you cross your legs with the crossed leg pointing toward him/her. A leg crossed away can denote distancing yourself from the interviewer. In group interviews it is not a real issue, however, you may want to sit straight without legs crossed. This puts you in a neutral position. Try not to fidget or appear nervous.

LISTENING: Listening is an art and part of non-verbal communication. Look at the speaker when he/she is talking. A nod of the head can denote affirmation or agreement with a statement, as well as a smile or a gesture, such as thumbs up. Be a good listener, give the speaker your attention and never interrupt. (We all have ways of responding and some or none of the above may be appropriate or comfortable for you) So often we are not good listeners. We are always thinking of what we are going to say next and sometimes we even miss what is really being said. WORK AT BECOMING A GOOD LISTENER.

SILENCES: Silences are a part of non-verbal communication and we can handle them in a variety of ways. Certainly you will direct your attention to the speaker and remain silent while that person is speaking. You may want to give an indication that you understand by a gesture, head nod, smile etc. Do not be afraid of silences after you have answered a question as the interviewer may be digesting what has been said and/or thinking about a response. Do not read too much into silences as that can be counter productive. Silences are a part of the interview process and you need to learn how to handle them. Take your time when pondering an answer to a question AND be sure that you understand it.

LUNCH INTERVIEWS AND CUP OF COFFEE OFFERS: Often you will be offered a cup of coffee, soft drink or a glass of water. It is wise to let them be hospitable as it does make them feel good and it is customary. If it is a lunch interview you should follow their lead in terms of ordering and do not choose the most expensive or cheapest item on the menu. You can be seen as too cheap or to greedy – go for the in between.

OTHER THOUGHTS FOR THE INTERVIEW.

NO GUM CHEWING!

Find out where the power (decision maker) is during a group interview and make eye contact with that person first when answering a question. However, if a member of the group asks a question respond back first to this person and then go to the decision maker next and then make eye contact with other members of the group.

Don’t talk too much and use a confident voice tone. Silence can also show that you are comfortable with yourself and the interview. Never interrupt someone speaking. Be sure to talk clearly and don’t mumble or talk too fast.

If you need to think about a question asked – look away while thinking and then make eye contact when you are ready to answer.

It is a known fact that when person are fabricating an answer that they seem to look up and to the left. A savvy HR person or interviewer may look for this clue.

Look for non-verbal clues about the interviewer as you come into his/her office. Pictures of family members, trophies or awards, etc. All of the above can serve as openers or as a greeting for you as you enter an office. An example (I see that you have a company softball or bowling team or that you are a skier. REMEMBER, the first ten or fifteen seconds of a greeting are important and you want to make a good initial impression with the interviewer or interviewers. However, it is smart to use a greeting that you are comfortable with and reflects you. Weather greetings are never wrong.

It is smart to have a notebook with you with a list of questions you want to ask and an invisible resume. A notebook shows you have come prepared. Another non-verbal sign. Also have examples of projects you have worked on or other documents that you may need, to show evidence of your work if it is applicable to the job you are applying for.

Bring evidence of any awards or achievements that you want to bring to their attention. An interview is not the time to be timid. You are trying to set yourself apart from the other candidates.

Be sure you have reviewed the 20 most difficult questions we have given you in your employment guidebook.

WHEN THE INTERVIEWER STANDS UP: The interview is over. A non-verbal sign.

You should have any last comments you want to make in mind. For example, you might state: If I have further questions can I call or e-mail you AND/OR what is the next step OR when will you make a decision?

Hopefully the above tips and suggestions will be of help to you. Non-verbal communication is an important element of interviews and you need to add the skills mentioned above to your arsenal of job search skills.

Bob Raikes, NCCC

Coordinator of Christian Career Circle