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.

YVW7HBW3QYV2

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.

The problem is that there is so much contradictory interview advice floating around that it’s easy to get confused. Here are five myths commonly associated with job interviews, each exposed individually.

Job Interview Advice – MYTH #1:  Memorize your answers to interview questions.

Yes, entering an interview without being prepared is a recipe for disaster, but don’t get too hung up on memorizing responses. First of all, memorized responses usually sound stiff and rehearsed. Don’t let a script stand in the way of building rapport and letting your personality shine through.

It’s also important to realize that you can’t prepare for every possible question. Most interviewers will try to keep you on your toes with challenging queries.

Do your research and practice your talking points (descriptions of your strongest qualifications for this particular gig), until you feel comfortable discussing the job, the company, and your background and accomplishments in a natural way. If you practice enough, you’ll be ready to address any question that the interviewer poses and steer the conversation back to your key strengths.

Job Interview Advice – MYTH #2:  Inform them of your wage demands.

Most of us have been trained not to discuss salary and money in polite society. That may be why salary talk is so awkward for many interviewees. Luckily, a candidate doesn’t have to — and shouldn’t — answer with an exact dollar amount when asked about their salary requirements.

A good response to a question about salary expectations  is to state that you’re willing to consider a competitive offer and  politely ask how much the company is prepared to pay for the position you are applying for. Let the other guy be the first to name a number.

Another option is to diplomatically put off the salary discussion. Express your enthusiasm for the position and your willingness to negotiate after an offer is extended.

Job Interview Advice – MYTH #3:  Show weakness, get shown the door.

We all have flaws. Strutting into an interview like a narcissist is a sure way to sabotage your chances. Most interviewers will ask you to identify a flaw or weakness and if you struggle to name a single thing wrong with you, you’ll come across as deluded, arrogant, and/or unable to accept criticism with any grace.  That’s why it’s important to develop and practice an honest but positively-framed response to the “greatest weakness” question.

Pick a flaw that won’t be seen as a major dealbreaker for the position at hand (saying you’re disorganized in an interview for a project manager job, for example, is unwise). You should also avoid  cliched responses that the interviewer has heard a million times (and sound smarmy to boot). For example:  “I care too much” or “I work too hard.”  This approach can flag you as unoriginal — or worse, dishonest.

Willingly describe a flaw, coupled with an explanation of how you’re working to address it, and then move on. This is one of the toughest questions in any interview,  so take the time to practice and get feedback on how your answer comes across from a friend or coach.

Job Interview Advice – MYTH #4:  If you show your strength, you will be shown your new office.

Yes, the hiring manager wants to know all about you, but her main interest is in learning how your skills and background can benefit her and her company. It is common for job seekers to ramble on and on in an interview, listing every positive quality they possess. Every interviewee is a “people person,” “team player,” and “hard worker.”

Instead of inventorying every accomplishment since your sixth-grade science fair win, focus on the key qualities that are MOST relevant for the job and back up your claims with stories and examples.

This may sound like common sense, but it’s surprising how many candidates neglect to present their strengths effectively in job interviews. Before each interview, take time to research the job requirements and focus on crafting speaking points to support the  three or four strengths that make you a good fit for the job. If you manage this, it will carry much more weight than a dozen  positive traits with no substance, and it should separate you from the rest of the pack.

Job Interview Advice – MYTH #5: The employer is in total control.

Although the employer is obviously the one who decides who to hire, you may have more influence on the final decision than you realize. Instead of waiting around in limbo for a call, reach out to the recruiter or hiring manager to reiterate your interest in joining the team and ask if you can provide additional information.

This type of follow-up is not standard (fear of  rejection holds many back) and that’s precisely why you should do it.  If you communicate in a polite and businesslike manner, it will show initiative and help you stand out from a crowd of similarly-qualified candidates.