Nonverbal Interview Behavior

Non-verbal interview behavior can drown out your verbal self-presentation.

Practice interviewing in front of a full-length mirror or, better yet, videotape yourself if you have access to such equipment. Turn the sound down and watch yourself carefully.

How do you sit in your chair? Upright with an aura of energy and enthusisam or slumped as if you no longer care? Do you maintain good eye contact or look down at your hands when a question is difficult to answer? Do you lean forward to make a connection with the interviewer or appear distant and disconnected? Do you use your hands for an occasional gesture, to emphasize a point, or are they always in motion, as distractible as those ex-jocks on TV who constantly flail away regardless of what they are saying?

Can you cross your legs at the ankle and stay still or do you constantly shift in your chair and irritate everyone in the room? Do you have unconscious habits or mannerisms that distract from your professional demeanor such as twisting your hair, rubbing your nose, licking your lips, or cracking your knuckles? How is your voice? Is it monotonous, clear, nasal, or shrill? Do you smile - at appropriate moments not constantly like a beauty contestant on the runway?

Being aware of all that you are presenting to a potential employer can make your verbal presentation more effective and increase your chances for a successful outcome.

Virginia Bola operated a rehabilitation company for 20 years, developing innovative job search techniques for disabled workers, while serving as a Vocational Expert in Administrative, Civil and Workers' Compensation Courts. Author of an interactive and supportive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker's Edge, she can be reached at http://www.unemploymentblues.com or http://layoffblues.blogspot.com

---

Cover Letter Sample -- For the Corporate Flight Attendant

Writing a cover letter to send with your résumé can... Read More

It is Still Possible to be Upwardly Mobile in America!

Yes, it's still possible to be upwardly mobile in America:... Read More

Retirement: Is It A Career Change Option?

Retirement might be the answer when you ask yourself "why... Read More

Telephone Phobia: Make the Phone Your Job Search Friend

You're pretty comfortable using the phone. It's something you do... Read More

Are You Sabotaging Your Career?

My experience working with thousands of leaders world wide for... Read More

Resume Writing - Importance of a Professional Summary

The Summary is the preview of your entire resume. This... Read More

Job Interview Mistakes To Avoid

By avoiding these 8 simple mistakes, you can improve your... Read More

Dazzle Interviewers With Your Achievements

Attention Job Seekers: Tasks and Responsibilities are BoooringHo hum. The... Read More

How to Survive in Business Long Enough to Win

As a former human resources professional it has always intrigued... Read More

Fact or Opinion?

"You ain't going nowhere, son. You ought to go back... Read More

Career Search from Within

Seeking meaningful and fulfilling work can become a discouraging, confusing... Read More

Strange Jobs Still Pay The Bills

Strange jobs? How do we define that? Years ago I... Read More

So You Want To Be a Nurse When You Grow Up?

You're interested in becoming a nurse. How do you get... Read More

10 Tips to Help You Ace the Interview and Get the Job

The interview is the "beauty contest" part of the job... Read More

Working as a Knowledge Worker in the Information Age

The old adages: "It's not what you know, but who... Read More

Is Your Job Search Guided by the Controller or the Controllee?

I'll define what I mean by these terms. "The Controller"... Read More

Your Value Proposition: A Critical Component To Having A Successful Job Search

Your value proposition is a series of statements defining your... Read More

Job Interviews -- The Real Reasons Why You Need to Follow Up

Effective follow-up after a job interview is often a key... Read More

Assess Your Transferable Skills

One of the most important parts of a job... Read More

The Chicken or the Egg?

Even before I checked my calendar on Monday... Read More

So, What Do You Do For Work?

I remember being asked this question a lot when I... Read More

Update Your Resume Today

A friend was just promoted to a position of vice-president... Read More

A Look At Some Out of the Ordinary Jobs

What do you want to be when you grow up?... Read More

The Recruiting Truth...Time Is Not On Your Side

In today's marketplace things are constantly changing and so are... Read More

How to Work Effectively With Recruiters

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T / find out what it means to me" is... Read More

The Secrets to Interview Success

Many well qualified and extremely able candidates fail at job... Read More

Ask Me No Questions, Ill Tell You No Lies

If only there were no questions involved in getting a... Read More

The Top 10 Ways to Manage Your Career

Many people in the last decade have experienced either a... Read More

Pair Your Powerful Resume with a Great Cover Letter

Every great resume deserves a great cover letter.A cover letter... Read More

The Six Figure Job Search

Before we start discussing how to search for a six... Read More

How To Establish Trust, Credibility and Enthusiasm To Your Interviewer

If you use your voice to get attention, you use... Read More

5 Ways to Profit From No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (No Child... Read More

Confidence Is Critical to YOUR Success....

Make EYE contact when you look at another person. Look... Read More