Job interviews: Does body language give you away?

Yes

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by Dr. Deborah Bauers

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You probably believe that it is what you say during an interview that will be the deal breaker and determine whether you get the job. But could your body language be giving you away? Many job seekers don't stop to consider the importance of what they are communicating silently. If you haven't yet, it's time for you to start paying close attention to your posture, facial expressions, and body movements.

So what does your body language say about you during a job interview? Believe it or not, your behavior could end up costing you the job. Why? Body language is another way to express yourself, just like verbal communication and sign language. But unlike its counterparts, this nonverbal form of interaction is a universal language spoken by everyone. When non-verbal "vibes" seem to be saying something different from what is being heard, they can end up working against you. On the other hand, if you know that you don't present yourself well due to nervousness and anxiety, you might want to practice your presentation before the interview.

While body language can sometimes "give away" what a job seeker is trying to conceal it can also be an indication of discomfort with the interview process. Keeping the balanced perspective in mind can help you not to overlook a potentially good employee because he exhibits one or two less-than-desirable behaviors. If you're the one who is going to be involved with interviewing job seekers you need to be able to tell the difference between introversion and ineptness; self-confidence and an inflated sense of self; nervousness and dishonesty.

It is important not to read too much negativity into how we see a person act during the course of a job interview. An employer who is conducting an interview should purposefully look for positive behavior even while he might be picking up on negative nuances. Not all behaviors that detract from an otherwise positive interview should eliminate a prospective candidate for employment. Gestures that suggest nervousness do not necessarily mean "incompetence" or lack of potential. A foot that shakes intermittently or an occasional subtle shift in the chair might suggest the presence of some anxiety. However, as a prospective employer, this scenario can sometimes be more promising than the swagger that accompanies an overly inflated ego. Individuals who experience moderate levels of anxiety are often better employees because they remain focused on doing a good job.

There are some personality traits that can be observed in an interview situation. They are a tip-off as to whether or not a potential employee has both the relational skills and the moral integrity necessary for job success. Hiring employees who lack these skills is risky business. Whether you are an employer or a prospective employee, beware of and consider the meaning of the following important non-verbal clues.

1. Eye contact is the first thing that is usually noticed in an interview. Lack of it can suggest extreme nervousness, low self-esteem, or dishonesty. Nervousness can be overcome and does not necessarily reflect upon a candidate's potential work performance. There are some individuals who do not interview well due to performance anxiety. The marketplace is full of people who all suffer from various degrees of low self-esteem. Given the opportunity, these individuals either learn to compensate or gain self-confidence through work success. Dishonesty however is a non-negotiable. So when a job candidate looks away while answering a question; this may be an interview that it is time to walk away from.

2. Most perspective employees know to at least attempt to put their best foot forward in an interview. When you see slumped body posture you are usually observing one of three things: either out-and-out disinterest, a casual indifference that suggests that "I'm doing you a favor by interviewing for this job," or "this is waste of time because this job is beneath me." Not everyone who is looking for employment really wants a job. Some just want an excuse to fail. Others are filling a block to meet external pressures like having to pay child support or satisfy creditors. None of these three make for an enthusiastic employee and possibly spell low motivation and low productivity on the job.

3. What is the old adage, "a picture is worth a thousand words?" The face is a moving picture screen for a whole gamut of human emotions to be displaced upon. Unless you are interviewing for a back room stock person, a friendly smile is a hiring essential. A bland or "closed" facial expression may suggest either a lack of interpersonal relationship skills, an over-all disinterest in the job, or an introverted personality. You will want to consider whether deficits in any of these areas will negatively impact job performance.

4. Job candidates, who show up for an interview with disheveled clothing or evidence of poor hygiene show disrespect for themselves, so don't expect them to value the work environment. If you are the job candidate, put your best foot forward by dressing nicely and paying careful attention to basic grooming.

Body language can seldom camouflage characteristics and behaviors that can potentially disrupt the work environment and negatively impact job performance. A word to the wise however: if you are a job interviewer, exercise restraint in making snap judgments. Be willing to look beyond behaviors that give away innocuous traits like nervousness and anxiousness. Everyone deserves a chance to try but a prospective employer must be willing to provide that opportunity. On the other hand, if are being interviewed, remember that body language can communicate dishonesty, indifference, false pride, or disrespect for your work ethic. Pay careful attention to what you communicate nonverbally. In a work climate where there are an abundance of job seekers and too few jobs, make your first impression a great one! At the end of the day, you want your interview to be the one that lands the job.

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