During the day, people sit in chairs at their desks and hold pens.
They say that if you answer all the questions in an interview and sell yourself effectively, you’ll get the job. But few people know that simply answering questions isn’t enough to get hired. This applies to Zoom interviews as well as in-person interviews.
While wording is important, there are a few other elements to an interview that can make the difference between passing and failing, and this is where non-verbal cues come in handy.
According to a College Journal study, 55% of interviews are body language, 7% are verbal communication, and 38% are paralanguage. These statistics show that nonverbal communication is not only necessary to carry out the process, but it’s extremely important.
Actions speak louder than words. This anthem is also perfect for interview scenarios. Interviewers tend to make a non-verbal impression from the moment you enter the interview room. They make their first judgment before you even utter a word. Hence, it is beneficial for candidates to understand the basics of non-verbal signals for their ultimate success.
Non-verbal cues:
It gives insight into the candidate’s emotional state.
Coordinate the flow of communication.
Enhance verbal communication.
Defines the relationship between the candidate and the interviewer.
Sometimes, even the most qualified candidates fail to do this and not because of their attitude or body language. Such mistakes can ruin your chances of getting the job. That’s why it’s important to understand the different elements of non-verbal communication.
Body Language
Body language is an important part of non-verbal communication because it enhances an individual’s expressiveness while also revealing attitudes and emotions. It shapes posture, gestures, head and hand movements, and the overall presence of the body.
Your body language communicates more than what you say or your voice, and therefore has a huge impact on how recruiters perceive you and your chances of being hired.
Let’s take a look at some tips to help you get through this stage like a pro.
Arrival: Enter the interview booth confidently, greet the recruiter, make eye contact, smile and act confident – this is where you make your first impression.
Posture: When sitting, try to sit up straight but relaxed with your shoulders naturally dropped. Don’t lean back or sway, as this can make you look sleepy or immature. Your goal is to appear confident and enthusiastic.
Angle: Your shoulders should be turned towards your employer to show openness.
Lean: Don’t lean too far or too far back as this may infringe on the interviewer’s personal space. Lean naturally if necessary, but remember to return to a seated position.
Hands and feet: Feet on the floor, hands on the floor Neutral position Don’t cross your arms unless you’re talking. Practice a few comfortable poses before the interview that will help you feel relaxed and focused. Keep your hands in a neutral position except when you’re talking. Don’t cross your arms during the interview. This significantly weakens your credibility.
Keep your gestures natural and moderate.
Eye movements
Your eyes don’t lie. Eye movements provide a window into your mind and often give away information unintentionally. Proper eye contact can make or break your job search. The frequency of eye contact, how often you blink, and pupil dilation are all part of the eye movements that will be extremely useful in an interview.
Maintaining eye contact shows you’re interested and is also a key way to get feedback. The frequency of eye contact will always tell you whether the interviewer is interested in you or not.
Eye contact is important, but it’s even more important not to overdo it. Not only is too much eye contact bad, it’s even worse than too little.
A well-known trick here is to stare long enough to detect the interviewer’s eye color before looking away.
If you find it difficult to look the recruiter directly in the eye, here’s a tip: Draw an imaginary triangle around their eyes and mouth. Every five seconds, move your eyes to a different point of the triangle. This will make you appear interested and excited about the conversation.
Be consistent in your blinking – blinking too much can make you appear stressed or lying, while blinking too little can look creepy and forced.
Maintaining eye contact and blinking consistently builds trust and bridges the gap between listening and speaking.
Audio Modulation
So much of the impression you make in an interview is determined not by how you speak or what you say, but how you say it. The delivery of your voice can have a big impact on perceptions of your confidence and abilities. Tone of voice helps judge your situation and is a great way to convey your enthusiasm for the job.
Make sure your speech is fluent and warm – your interviewer should find you approachable and easy to talk to.
Try to match the pace and volume of your interviewer. Mirroring is the most effective way to promote healthy communication.
Pay attention to intonation, rhythm and pronunciation.
Always be mindful of the number and speed of your messages. Express your thoughts in short, simple sentences and allow a short pause for your message to be understood.
Never use words like “um,” “er,” “for example,” or “as you know.”
Finish your thoughts. Expressing a thought fully shows your confidence in the idea and your ability to follow through.
Impressive tips
Let’s admit it! We talk about non-verbal cues, but they’re hard to implement in real time.
But here are some tips to help you ease your nerves and perform brilliantly in your interview.
Before the interview
Dress appropriately for the interview. Wear formal, modern clothing. Avoid bright colors. Plan a few days in advance. Choose clothes that fit well, are cleaned, and are ironed.
Don’t forget the little things: polishing your shoes, checking your hems for looseness, and keeping your nails clipped and clean.
Avoid wearing jewelry, cosmetics, and especially perfume.
Please keep your hair in order. Hair obscuring your face is a big negative.
Please make sure to cover any tattoos or piercings.
Bring multiple copies of your resume to the interview, and if you like, you can bring work samples and a portfolio as well, but make sure everything is professionally organized.
Learn more about the organization. Find out more about the company on their website and understand why they founded the company.
During the interview
Shake hands firmly, but not so hard that you break the bone.
Do not chew gum in front of the hiring committee, it is rude and disrespectful.
Please do not bring mobile phones, iPods or other devices.
Listen carefully, observe carefully, and pay attention to details.
Avoid negative comments, keep it positive when sharing your experience.
Don’t move your hands frantically while reciting.
Avoid moving, stomping, tapping your fingers, or continually touching your hands or face.
Don’t interrupt the recruiter.
Never badmouth or speak ill of your previous employer. This is very important.
Prepare interesting questions to ask the employer.
Before ending the interview, be sure to thank the interviewer for their time and patience.
Remember that an interview is a conversation: prepare well, exude professionalism through your body language, and you’ll be successful!
