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Job interviews: Does body language give you away?

Results so far:

Yes
93% 774 votes Total: 829 votes
No
7% 55 votes

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


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Job interviews: Does body language give you away?

Yes
  • 1 of 34

    by Dr. Deborah Bauers

    You probably believe that it is what you say during an interview that will be the deal breaker and determine whether you

    read more

  • 2 of 34

    by Pat Lunsford

    Does body language give you away when being interviewed for a job? Of course it does. You don't have to be a professional

    read more

No
  • 1 of 5

    by Chris Schaffer

    Your body is not giving away every secret of your mind. An often quoted statistic is that 97% of communication is nonverbal.

    read more

  • 2 of 5

    by Carel Two-Eagle

    Having spent considerable time as both an employer and an employee, I know that body language does not necessarily 'give

    read more

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