People evaluate one another using the three Vs, visual, vocal and verbal. That is by your appearance, what you say and how you say it.
However, 93 percent of finding whether the communication is effective or not is determined by non-verbal signs. Your body language is a crucial part of whether the communication is having its desired effect. Everything from your posture, the way you shake hands, your eye contact are all subconscious cues to evaluate how the communications are moving.
Most interviewers will judge you within the first 30 seconds of your interview and the opinion that they frame of you, within this brief period, is perhaps what they will carry for the rest of their association with you. Making a good first impression is exceedingly vital, because you only get one shot at it.
Just keep these first 30 seconds in mind when you go for the interview and remember that the interviewer may be drawing conclusions about you before you've even gotten to the real interview.
Examine these scenarios:
Scenario 1 – How Not To Do It
A candidate is extremely nervous and he allows his nervousness to show through his body language. He is tapping his foot rapidly, moving around restlessly and seemingly talking to himself. He is continually taking swigs at his bottle of water and staring into open space, as if lost in a world that has no place for the likes of him.
Upon seeing the interviewer walking towards him, he remains slouched in his chair and wipes the sweat of his forehead and fakes a faint smile. He gets up as the interviewer approaches him and as he stands the sports magazine that was on his lap falls to the floor. He says a hurried apology and bends to pick it up, knocking down his portfolio, in his haste and his documents spiral all over the place.
The interviewer, says, it’s all right and moves on. The signals portend bad news for the candidate – his fate has probably been sealed before he has answered his first question.
Scenario 2 – How To Do It
In another case, a candidate is well prepared and confident and waits patiently for his turn in the lobby. He is self-assured and his demeanour, clothes and self-belief, exude from every pore of his body. He knows he is well-prepared and is concentrating on selling himself as the ideal and best solution to the employer’s problems.
As the interviewer approaches him, he stands and continues to smile, looking him directly in the eyes. He extends a solid hand and as the employer accepts it, he gives it a firm shake. What do you think are the thoughts carousing in the interviewers mind? This man is confident and sure of himself. He deserves a better look. The right first impression has been made – it’s positive and affirmative.
Seven Steps To Success Or The Two-Minute Drill
The following seven steps, or "two-minute drill," will be instrumental in fine-tuning you for the ideal interview.
- Understand that appearance counts. If you look good, you will feel good. Always be well groomed. Just as you take extra care of a new book, or a new appliance, a neater and cleaner you will command more respect and attention.
- Your clothes and accessories should be conventional and traditional rather than fashionable and loud. Stay away from ostentatious watches and jewelry. Keep in mind, that the gift wrapping makes the presentation of the gift packed inside attractive, ensure that your clothes, that are your packaging, do not take attention from the main product that is you.
- Nonverbal communication is extremely important and probably a more truthful indicator of who you really are. More often than not it will convey a stronger message than what you to say. Those who slouch convey that they are lethargic, those who fidget, show that they cannot focus and given to lapses in concentration. Sit up straight and when you stand, make yourself as tall as possible: shoulders back and head held high. Your posture will make a difference.
- Maintain eye contact and always wear a smile. It indicates an upbeat and positive attitude.
- While shaking the hand, offer it first. If it’s a lady, whose interviewing you, wait for her to offer her hand. Make sure the handshake is firm. Carry an anti-perspirant if you are prone to sweating. A wet and clammy handshake may not be liked by the interviewer.
- Your voice and the volume of your speech is one of the most powerful impressing instruments. Don’t speak too loudly or too fast. Speak with enthusiasm and in measured tones. Talk sense. Never crack jokes or indulge in loose talk.
- Do your homework. Learn about the industry you are intending to make your workplace and throw in some statistics about it during the interview. Never use slang and use words that are not grandiloquent and overbearing, but what others would normally not use. The words you use will convey your communication skills and impress upon the interviewer that you will be good at communicating with people.
