Nonverbal Communication for Business, Part 3: The Job Interview
Introduction:
Imagine telling an interviewer, “Hey, by the way, I’m really smart and everyone likes me.” While I wouldn’t recommend making a comment like that, you can and should effectively communicate this message non-verbally.
When it comes to job interviews, nonverbal communication plays an important role in making a positive impression.
In Part 1 of this series, we introduced the importance of learning nonverbal communication. In Part 2, we went deeper and explained the fundamentals of nonverbal communication. Now let’s incorporate this into an approach to a real-world job interview. While I plan to write tips for Zoom and phone interactions in a future post, this one will focus on the classic, in-person job interview.
Overview:
Your body language, attire, and ability to read and respond to the interviewer will influence how you are perceived. Your goal is to come across as not only competent and valuable but also someone they will like being around.
In this blog post, we will explore valuable tips to help you project confidence, likeability, and professionalism during a face-to-face interview.
Be Prepared to Boost Your Confidence:
In order to display confidence, you will want to be comfortable.
To be comfortable, you need to prepare in advance. Research the company, its values, and the role you're applying for. Practice responses to common interview questions. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview, showing your interest and engagement. The better you prepare in advance, the more relaxed you will be when it’s showtime.
Being confident also means being outcome-independent.
Overinvesting in any one opportunity can make you appear needy and tense. Your mindset should be that if they don’t want you, you would rather be somewhere else anyway. You would rather keep looking to find a workplace and culture that aligns with your values as well. Confidence is felt and demonstrated through knowing that you’ll be fine no matter how this interview goes.
Dress for Success:
Your attire sends a powerful message about your competence, professionalism, and attention to detail.
Dressing appropriately for the interview is essential. Consider the company's dress code and industry norms when choosing your outfit. While formal attire is a safe choice, be aware that different colors can convey different messages.
For example, navy blue conveys trustworthiness, while red can symbolize power and authority. Select colors that align with the image you want to project. Read more about color choice here.
Master Nonverbal Body Language:
When you enter the room, begin with a firm (but not too firm) handshake. Touch helps establish trust and confidence. Be sure to handshake on the way out as well.
Optimal seating arrangement for an interview.
Proper seating can help aid conversation too. Your classic job interview setup puts the interviewee across the table from the interviewer. This setup breeds tension and stress. It’s confrontational. If the table or arrangement allows for it, you want to sit diagonal from the interviewer. This seating fosters collaboration and allows for both parties to relax.
Here are some nonverbal cues to keep in mind:
A great smile and correct neck alignment.
Maintain good posture: Sit upright and avoid slouching to project confidence and attentiveness. Don’t let your head hang forward. Stay relaxed and keep lots of distance between your ears and shoulders.
Smile: A warm smile can instantly create a positive impression and establish rapport with the interviewer. Even when not smiling, relax your face and avoid furrowing your brow or other signs of tension.
Make eye contact: Maintaining eye contact shows that you are engaged and attentive. However, be mindful not to stare, as it may come across as intimidating (or creepy).
Use open gestures: Keep your arms relaxed and avoid crossing them, as this can signal defensiveness or disinterest. Use open gestures to convey openness and approachability.
Moderate hand gestures: While using hand gestures can enhance your communication, excessive movements may appear distracting. Strike a balance and use gestures naturally to emphasize key points. Showing your hands is important for establishing trust, so don’t bury them under anything or hide them behind a table.
Important Note: Don’t out-alpha the boss. In any one on one interaction, one person will be more dominant than another. You are not trying to be the dominant person. Your confident body language needs to be paired with warmth (smiling relaxed face) and trust (keeping your hands in view). Speak more than the interviewer to reassure that you answer to them and not the other way around.
Open body language and showing the hands
Read and Respond to the Interviewer:
Pay close attention to the interviewer's verbal and nonverbal cues to gauge their reactions and adapt accordingly:
Active listening: Nodding occasionally and maintaining an engaged facial expression demonstrates that you are listening and interested in what the interviewer is saying.
Pausing after you are asked a question is ok. You should be listening and then contemplating your answer after the question is asked. Don’t feel pressure to be sitting on your response. Pausing is another indicator of confidence and competence.
Mind your verbal ticks. “Uhs” and “likes” should be minimized. One or two is not going to kill you, but when you hear yourself make an off-key sound, use it as a reminder to clean it up in your next answer.
Mirror their body language: Be careful with this. But subtly mirroring the interviewer's body language can create a sense of rapport and connection. This is why you can always spot the two people at the bar or coffee shop having the best conversation. Their bodies and behaviors are mirroring each other. Be careful not to mimic them identically though, as it may come across as insincere or manipulative.
Adapt your pace and tone: Match the interviewer's pace and tone of speech within reason. This can help establish a sense of harmony and understanding.
Conclusion:
Mastering nonverbal communication in job interviews is a powerful tool to leave a lasting impression. By projecting confidence, using appropriate body language, and adapting to the interviewer's cues, you can enhance your likeability and demonstrate your professionalism. You will also set yourself apart.
Congratulations on nailing the interview and getting the job! In our next post, we will delve into nonverbal communication tips for team meetings.