A Guide To Using Nonverbal Communication During Interviews

When most applicants go to an HR interview, they are under the impression that simply answering the questions in the correct way will allow them to get the job. However, this is an assumption that is not quite accurate.

A number of studies have indicated that your body language will make up over 50% of the factors that will determine whether you will successfully pass the interview. In contrast, your responses to questions will only make up about 7% of what the employer is looking for during the interview. Based on this, it is apparent that your body language is more important than the answers you give to the interview questions.

The name for this is nonverbal communication. The nonverbal communication process will start while you are sitting in the lobby waiting to be interviewed. This process will end once the interview is completed. If you have poor nonverbal communication skills, all the qualifications in the world won’t allow you to get the job. Even if you are competing against someone who is more qualified than you, it is you who will be hired for the job if they fail to demonstrate excellent nonverbal communication. You are probably wandering what things I’m referring to when I use the expression "nonverbal communication." As the name suggests, nonverbal communication is a message that you will convey to the interviewer without speaking.

An example of poor nonverbal communication is coming to the interview smelling like cigarette smoke. An example of good nonverbal communication is firmly shaking the hand of the interviewer. In both of these situations, you are sending a message to the interviewer without saying anything. If you come to the interviewer with the scent of cigarette smoke, the odds are immediately against you. If you come with clothes that are not clean, or your cell phone rings, you will have more strikes against you. If you are wearing a fragrance that is too strong, this will convey a negative message as well.

One reason why employers place an emphasis on nonverbal communication is because "actions speak louder than words." Anyone can sit down and rehearse the answers to a question. It is also easy for some people to speak well during an interview, but perform poorly when they are given the job. Because of this, employers look for things that are not verbal forms of communication. As you can imagine, your appearance is one of the most powerful forms of nonverbal communication. If you are not dressed properly, this alone may cause you not to be hired. It is always important to dress in a professional manner.

There are a number of things you will want to bring to an interview, an there are also some things that you will want to leave a home. An example of things you will want to bring are portfolios, paper, notepads, and breath mints. Things that you shouldn’t bring to an interview include MP3 players, cell phones, cigarettes, or soft drinks. It should be obvious why bringing these things could cause problems. If you accidently spill soda on your shirt five minutes before the interview starts, you’re in a lot of trouble. If your cell phone goes off during the interview, you’re in even more trouble. If you carry the scent of cigarettes, you may not be hired at all.

All of these things are elements that make up nonverbal communication. You will want to avoid bringing anything to the interview that you don’t need. It is also important to be careful while you’re waiting in the lobby.

Even though you’re not being interviewed, the things that you do while you sit in the lobby may play a role in the decision of the employer to hire you. When you are being interviewed, always make eye contact with the person that is interviewing you. This should not be done too much, bit it is something you will want to keep in mind. Never slouch down in your seat. While you will want to relax, make sure you give the impression of someone who is attentive. It is critical for you to pay attention to what is being said. Never give the interviewer the impression that you are not paying attention.