The Importance of Non-Verbal Communication in an Interview

In a job interview, it’s all about how you answer the questions, right? That’s only half the story. Most candidates would be surprised to learn how much non-verbal communication (body language, facial expressions, etc.) matters.

Some studies have shown that people form first impressions based 55% on body language and only 7% on actual verbal content. Actions really can speak louder than words. You start making a non-verbal impression from the moment you walk in the lobby door until the moment you leave. Some non-verbal mistakes can ruin your chances of a job offer — even if your answers to the interview questions are impressive.

PREPARING TO MAKE A GREAT IMPRESSION

Let’s start with the basics: Your first impression. Beauty is only skin deep, but you will make a visual impression within seconds of meeting your interviewer — before you get the opportunity to say a word. You can immediately turn an interviewer off if you look (or smell) unprofessional, slovenly, or nervous.

How You Look: Make sure that you are dressed properly from top to bottom. It’s not about looking beautiful, it’s about presenting a professional, confident persona.

How You Smell: This may sound obvious, but it’s essential to avoid making a bad olfactory first impression. Don’t walk into your job interview smelling like you’ve bathed in cologne or perfume, reeking of cigarette or cigar smoke, or emanating eau de locker room or dirty laundry hamper.

What You Bring: Don’t forget to bring a few hard copies of your resume (at least one for each of the people you’re scheduled to meet, plus an extra or two just in case). Bring your portfolio and work samples, if appropriate, and make sure that they are organized professionally. Be prepared for emergencies by adding the following to your job interview survival kit: gum or mints, tissues, safety pins, a mini-lint roller, and make-up for touch-ups (if you wear it).

WAITING IN THE LOBBY

Make a point of greeting the receptionist professionally before taking a seat to wait for your interviewer. Be polite, but not overly friendly. You never know who might be watching you while you wait, so don’t slouch in your chair and read Us Magazine or sing along to your iPod. Don’t take phone calls or obsessively check your Blackberry or iPhone as if you have better places to be. Sit down and wait patiently. Review your interview preparation notes or any company materials displayed in the lobby.

GREETING YOUR INTERVIEWER

Walk confidently to greet your interviewer, make eye contact, smile, and offer your hand. This is your only chance to make a first impression.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

Your Posture: When you take your seat, be sure to sit up straight and avoid slouching. You can lean forward a little to show your interest. The goal here is to appear natural, confident, and enthusiastic. Avoid any body language that could be construed as showing disinterest or desperation. Don’t lean back (you’ll look too relaxed or lethargic) or fidget (you’ll look nervous or immature) and don’t invade your interviewer’s personal space (you’ll look like a stalker).

Your Hands and Feet: Keep your feet on the floor and your hands positioned naturally. If you’re not sure what to do with your hands, keep them folded loosely in your lap or on the tabletop.

Eye Contact: Maintain eye contact in a natural way. Just don’t stare fixedly at your interviewer. That can seem creepy or robotic. Listen carefully and smile and nod as appropriate.

WRAPPING UP THE INTERVIEW

Once the interview is over, when you thank your interviewer politely for her time, shake her hand professionally and smile.

Then it’s time to walk confidently out the door, secure in the knowledge that you’ve made a winning non-verbal impression.

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Behavioral Interview: An Overview

What exactly is a behavioral interview? It’s a job interview that focuses on questions about how the candidate has behaved in the past in specific work situations.

Most job interviews include at least some behavioral interview questions. By asking you about your past behavior, hiring managers try to get a sense of how you might respond in similar circumstances in the future.

Behavioral interview questions are probing questions about your background. How and when have you used the skills that they have deemed most important for the job in question? How have you responded to challenges similar to those you would likely face in the new role? Behavioral questions often ask you to get into very specific detail.

Behavioral Interview Questions: Examples

  • Tell me about a time you took responsibility for a task outside of your job description.
  • How have you previously used your analytic skills to determine a solution to a problem?
  • Describe a challenging goal that you set and explain how it was achieved.
  • Tell me about a time that you had to sell an idea to senior management.
  • Describe a situation in which you had to work under pressure. How did you handle the stress?
  • Have you ever had to work with a difficult manager or coworker? How did you respond?
  • Tell me about a mistake that you made. How did you address it?

Getting Prepared for a Behavioral Interview

Before any job interview, you should take the time to practice responses to behavioral interview questions tied to the top themes in the job description. If a job description stresses qualities such as “organized” and “detail oriented,” you can bet that you will be asked about past experiences managing time, projects, and details. Likewise, if the job description is all about “people skills,” you’re sure to be quizzed about your approaches to managing people, handling conflicts, and working on a team.

To prepare for a behavioral interview, read the job description carefully and make a list of the top 5-8 qualifications and/or skills required. For each of these, brainstorm to come up with stories and examples that illustrate your strengths and accomplishments.

The PAR Approach to Behavioral Questions

Use the PAR approach in constructing these stories. P is for Problem. A is for Approach. R is for Resolution. Briefly describe the problem or situation, then talk about your approach to solving/addressing  it, and end with a description of the positive resolution.

Take the time to practice these stories with a friend or in the mirror. Get comfortable talking about your past behavior in a way that highlights your abilities. This is no time to be modest. If you’re shy, practice is even more important. With enough repetition, you’ll be able to sing your own praises in a natural way that won’t come across as bragging.

During the Behavioral Interview

If you do your homework, you’ll be ready when faced with a behavioral question during the interview. If you get a question that stumps you, it’s okay to pause and collect your thoughts. Ask for clarification if you’re not sure what the interviewer is looking for — or if you need another moment to think.

There is no one “right” answer to a behavioral interview question. The interviewer wants to learn more about you, your experience, and how you approach work. This will allow her to see if you’re a good match for the job opportunity.

A winning behavioral interview is one in which you are able to show a history of performance and results in the key responsibility areas for the job that you want. Just don’t forget to show a little of your personality, too. Employers want to hire the best person for the job, but they also want to hire someone that will be pleasant to work with. Your behavioral interview answers can help you give the interviewer a sense of what it would be like to work with you.

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February 14, 2010

Overview – Job Interview Thank You Notes:
After every job interview, it’s critical to follow up with a thank you note to the person that interviewed you. Thank you notes are not just common courtesy; they are essential elements of the interviewing process.
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February 9, 2010

Job Interview Advice Series: Myths & Mysteries
The daunting task of finding a good job has become even more difficult with so many qualified candidates available due to layoffs. That’s why it’s so important to find ways to stand out from the applicant crowd and make a great impression in the job interview.
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February 9, 2010

Job Interview Dressing – An Interview Attire Guide:
On a job interview, your attire choices can mean the difference between a great first impression and a negative one. Your interviewer will make a first judgment about you before you get to say a word. That’s why it’s so important to convey a professional appearance and choose [...]

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