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The Non-Verbal Interview
By Ellen Corsi
It feels great receiving an invitation for a job interview with the job market being so competitive these days. When you are preparing for an interview, it is important that you stand out from the rest of the "crowd" so that you are noticed and become a strong contender for the job. There are many non-verbal ways to get this attention from a would-be employer, and here are a few.
First of all, dress the part. Depending upon what type of job you are applying for, it is best to walk in the door looking like you belong there. If it is a law firm, wear a suit. If you are applying for a manufacturing job, business casual will work, unless it's a management position. By dressing for the part, visually the employer will gravitate toward you without realizing at first why. When you look like you already belong in the job, it gives you an excellent boost even before the interview starts.
It can be a little unsettling at times navigating through an interview situation, especially when there is more than one person in the room conducting it. It is important that you have a positive attitude and show flexibility in your approach to their questions. Make eye contact with each person in the room, and be direct and thorough when answering their questions. However, no one wants to hear an interviewee rambling on and on about what they might do in a certain situation to fix a problem, for example.
When meeting a potential employer for the first time, it is important that your confidence level is there and at the right level. Being under confident will make the potential employer wonder if you can really perform the job at hand, and being over confident could really get on their nerves. You want them to like you as a person as well as having the ability to perform the job. Confidence is a good thing to have, but the right level of confidence is even more important.
When you walk into an interview, smile cordially at the potential employer, no matter how nervous you may be. A pleasant look when walking into a new situation can help break the ice. When you think about it, they don't know you, either.
Sitting up straight (remember your mother always telling you this) and leaning a little forward will show in a non-verbal way your interest in talking with them about this job opportunity. Let them run the interview, and nod to them that you understand what they are saying to you.
Your mannerisms during an interview can tell a potential employer much about you, such as if during an interview, you are fidgeting. This gives the impression that you are nervous, which you may be, but it is best to ensure that any nervous habits are left at the door. You want to display professionalism and confidence during the interview, and show them that you are in control of yourself and can handle some pressure.
Sometimes interviews go very well, and sometimes you realize that the job really isn't what you are looking for, so look at it as a meeting when both you and the potential employer can get some idea as to whether you are right for the job, and they are the right employer for you.
Toward the end of the interview, the potential employer will almost always ask if you have any questions. It is always a good idea to have a couple of questions in the back of your mind before you get to the interview so that you are ready for this. Some new questions may come to mind as you go through the interview as well. By asking a few questions the potential employer feels that you have some genuine interest in working for their organization.
Lastly, at the conclusion of the interview, it is important to make sure that you express your thanks for their time with you. It is always impressive after an interview to send a thank you note in the mail, in your own handwriting, expressing your appreciation for their time in seeing you. This is a great opportunity to reiterate that you are very interested in the position as well. It is a professional approach to a would-be employer and shows courtesy toward them.
You may go through many interviews before you find the right fit for both you and a potential employer. Interviewing is a skill and some people are better at it than others. The important thing is to do your best and don't get discouraged if you aren't hired right away. There is an abundance of competition out there, so if you don't get hired right away, don't lose hope. Just move on to additional opportunities. With the global job market as it is today, it has never been easier to find job openings and go after them!
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