Ace the Interview with Nonverbal Communication
When it comes to interviewing, the main goal and concentrated effort should be differentiating yourself from other candidates who are interviewing for the same position. Many of the candidates will offer the same credentials, and standing out among the crowd can be difficult. However, there is one method that speaks much louder than words (or resumes): nonverbal communication.
According to The Emotion Machine, nonverbal communication is responsible for over 60 to 70 percent of what we communicate. While it includes the traits we ordinarily associate with gestures or facial expressions, it also encompasses our pitch, inflection, and how we speak.
One of the most important facets regarding body language is to smile often during interviews. Smiling lets a recruiter know you’re more than a subject matter expert – you’re a friendly person to work with. People want to hire those they can see working at a company, and smiling is a good way to put others at ease with the idea.
Project confidence by rolling your shoulders back slightly when walking and standing. Shoulders slumped forward offer a certain timid or disinterested perception, which can cause the hiring manager to think a candidate won’t be assertive when it’s necessary. To add to this, lean forward slightly in the chair when you sit down, as this demonstrates interest in the conversation and exudes confidence and interest.
Make frequent eye contact. This also shows interest, and shows you’re actively listening. If there’s only one interviewer, make eye contact in each eye for a few seconds, then look at their mouth while they’re speaking for an equal amount of time. This “eye triangle” has been an effective means to determine how long to look, and where, without making the other person uncomfortable. If there are several interviewers, make an effort to give each equal eye contact, regardless of how much they speak.
When discussing your achievements or qualifications, be sure to use voice inflection. Speak clearly, annunciate, and slow your rate of speech. Clear and effective communication is a fundamental requirement for nearly every job in America, and a loud, clear voice projects confidence (though too loud can be obnoxious).
Mastering body language can be difficult, so be sure to take some time to practice. Anticipate some of the questions, and practice the responses. Mastering nonverbal communication may mean the difference between receiving or not receiving a job offer.
At CultureFit, we can help you find the career opportunity you’re looking for. We work with candidates from diverse backgrounds, and focus specifically on business culture. This increases long-term job satisfaction and ensures the next offer you receive will be with a company that values your skills and your mindset. Contact our experienced recruiting team at CultureFit today to see how we can help you!
