Non-verbal communication is as essential in any interview as the words you say. In fact, it tells more about you. But there are a lot of interviewees who get jitters and nerves before the actual meeting thus causing them to convey it through their actions.
People usually get nervous because of the panic they feel in the thought of meeting the interviewer. The main reason for this is mostly because we are already thinking of the outcome of the interview, worried if we can give the right answers and anxious about the questions. Most people don’t realize that we are already building an impression even before the start of the interview proper from the time we open the door until the time we walk out of it.
These non-verbal languages we convey may affect our interview so we really have to be cautious in how we act in front of our potential boss.
Build Your Confidence
It doesn’t matter whether you are in Jakarta, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Hongkong, Europe or America to know this: being called for an interview is a big opportunity. It means you have been evaluated and are a step from being hired. They wouldn’t entertain you if you are worth nothing to them.
Focus
You will need to have a goal and focus on that. Review the most commonly asked questions during an interview the facts that you want to share about yourself and the information you have gathered about the company. Remain professional throughout the process.
You should also prepare for your physical appearance. Choose an outfit that best suit the company’s feel without compromising your own taste. Overdoing your outfit may make you look dull and boring but if you are applying to a big, corporate company, wearing a flowery dress or comfort shoes may not be appropriate.
The Interview
During the interview, be alert on what your interviewer is saying and consider these important non-verbal factors:
1. Eye Contact
- Remember that eyes are the windows to one’s soul. Maintaining eye contact with your interviewer during the whole course of your interview is essential but make sure you don’t creep them out. If you look away while you are talking, it shows that you lack confidence or might send the impression that you are a fraud; if your interviewer is talking and you are looking around the room, it shows that you have a very short attention span and might offend the one speaking.
2. Facial Expression
- Eliminate any negative features. If you are sad or tired during those times, throw them out of the window and smile. It will not only give the impression that you are a happy person but may also lift all your heavy feeling. A genuine smile can be very contagious. You do not need to plaster that smile all throughout the interview but always remember to keep coming back to it.
3. Posture
- This one imposes confidence and power. Stand tall, walk tall and sit tall.
4. Gesture
- Hand gestures while we talk are normal to human beings. We just need to manage it. Usually when a person is nervous, he is overly conscious of himself to the point that his gestures are already not connected with the other parts of his body. Make sure that your gestures are natural and meaningful.
The most important aspect of interviewing is your attitude. If you want to rise above others with better experience, better grades, or better anything, you will need to work on developing a highly positive work attitude. The way most employers differentiate at the entry level is by candidates' attitudes toward the job.
About Axis Human Capital Group
Axis Human Capital is a group of professionals who aim to enhance personal talents especially in Ghana, Africa. We work with job seekers to map out their potential and career paths. Since its inception in 2008, Axis group has built a reputation for recruiting high-caliber candidates for employees and has assured our employers against fraud or scam.
