by Chris Schaffer

Created on: February 11, 2009

Your body is not giving away every secret of your mind. An often quoted statistic is that 97% of communication is nonverbal. I am here to tell you that not only is that a gross misstatement, but that your words are heavy with meaning.

Body language can be very expressive. In fact, extremely well trained professionals can spot numerous micro-expressions that can tell a lot about what emotions a person is experiencing. The person interviewing you, however, is not trained to spot these expressions which often last only a tenth or hundredth of a second. And even such a seasoned research psychologist will tell you that "telltale" expressions only say what a person is feeling, not why, or the greater significance of such without much more information.

Even the most obvious body language such as slouching, avoiding eye contact, or nervous gestures may not tell an interviewer much. You have been put in an awkward situation in which the vast majority of candidates are going to present mixed signals between spoken words and expressed gestures. What an interviewer is looking for is not perfect posture and a bright handshake (though they never hurt) they are looking to match the skills you listed in a resume with a job they need to fill; the interview is only a formality to cross check you, a position, and an autobiography you sent in.

Another point for the interviewee is that most people sitting in the seat of the interviewer do not do so on a regular basis. Some very large companies, recruiting firms, and government agencies have either dedicated human resource departments or are professionals who devote their careers to the art of interviewing. Even within the ranks of the seasoned professionals, the very best among them are not lightly swayed by one sweaty palm or a stammer about your last position. Good interviewers are looking for your story to present a clear history and set of qualification to one job. Rarely do they have the time or inclination to read into your every twitch and laugh a long and probably useless narrative of imagined information.

Instead of focusing on where you hand is, focus on what you say in the interview. No matter your posture or hand tremor the consistency and forthrightness of what you say is what will stand out at the end of your five to fifty minutes of contrived friendship. By the same stroke, watch each person who interviews you, see if you can delve into the "hidden reality" of the company by how their body language in the interview. I am certain that even the worst case of gas discomfort won't make you disbelieve the truth of the company history, or that a slouch at the wrong time will tell you if the salary offer the lowest in the running.

When you walk into the office of your potential employer walk in in confidence. Know that what you have to say and the words on your resume will outweigh your handshake. Being confident and looking good for an interview are important, but your words will go much further than anyone can read from your face.

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