Body language consists of non-verbal cues. Your posture, eye movements, facial expressions – they all contribute to the ‘vibe’ that you give off. Unfortunately, many people are painfully oblivious to what their body is saying, even when it’s sending entirely the wrong message. This is partly why some people do well on phone interviews and yet do poorly in person, or vice versa. It’s the presence (or absence) of body language.
Some people might complain that taking such subjective matters into account opens the door to loads of other subjective factors. I could deny that, but then I’d be lying. Fact it, for better or for worse it’s impossible not to consider subjective factors.
So just how do body language and other subjective factors affect an interview? Speaking strictly for myself, here are things I look for in a candidate.
- Firm handshake – no “limp fish”.
- Sharp, alert, and focused – basically “on your game”.
- Enthusiastic about the job and the work.
- Confident without being arrogant.
- Smiles without faking it.
Conversely, here are things that turn me off:
- Arrogance.
- Slouching in the chair and behaving casually.
- Gestures that indicate dishonesty. I won’t give these away, but you can do your own research.
Once again this is just my own viewpoint, and other hiring managers may brush off some of these things as trivial and inconsequential. Horses for courses, as they say. But if it’s your choice to engage in the positive behaviors, why not give yourself the advantage?
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