I always get nervous with job interviews. Well, interviews in general. Your resume gets you in the door, but the interview gets the job. What are some of the signs you can be tuned into that give a favorable impression that you have a good chance of landing that job? These are not hard and fast rules that you will get the job. After all, there are no guarantees. However, if you don’t see these signals, you won’t get your hopes up. Body language speaks louder than words. So here we go.
10 Signals That the Job Could be Yours
- Smiling when you smile.
- Consistently open and warm body language.
- Relaxed forehead.
- Maintaining eye contact and paying attention to what you are saying.
- Nodding when you are speaking.
- Leaning toward you.
- Seeming more enthusiastic midway through the interview.
- Offering to show you around after the interview.
- Walking around desk to shake your hand when leaving (no barriers).
- Walking you all the way to the reception area and lingering while you leave.
I have to admit, in my own personal experience, whenever I was given a bit of a walk-around and shown the location and the people of where I would be working, I received a call shortly thereafter of a job offer. However, I have been walked to the entrance with conversation and not necessarily landed the job (although I do believe I was one of the top candidates). Also, the jobs I was offered, the employer processed through the interviews in the same day. I would be asked if I could be an hour later or later in the day to meet with another interview.
I remember one day having gone on four interviews in the same day. Keep in mind four interviews in a day is really exhausting! It’s way too much to be talking about yourself (this is where you get to brag about your accomplishments) and it is physically exhausting and stressful on the body.
Back to point… Nevertheless, I was actually only booked for one interview that day. It was early in the morning. After the first interview, I was scheduled to come back later that same day for a second interview. I then received a call for an impromptu interview for a different department in the same building. Finally, I was called for a last interview for a quick meet and greet with the hiring manager from the impromptu interview, who actually offered me the job on the spot.
Rarely does hiring on the spot happen, but it still happens. Also, when the initial call comes in for an interview, I try to get a time slot that is at the back end of the interviewing process. Management is exhausted with the process, already itching to make a decision, having seen the unskilled and unprepared, and ready for that final great interviewee. That would be YOU! You’ve come prepared, dressed professionally, calm, centered, confident (but not cocky), and pleasant to interact with.
What experiences have you found that could be an encouraging signal to a job offer? What tactics do you use to prepare to be the best candidate and shine in an interview? What traits do you believe stand out in a solid candidate? Do you have a surprising tale of where you felt like you had the interview from hell and was actually offered the job? Share your story. Funny, sad, enlightening, crazy, goofy. Would love to hear from you.
To your success!
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I’m noticing a trend here. I write quite a bit about style. Not necessarily a sense of fashion style, there’s that, but the style in your writing, presentation, mannerisms, and attitude. I get some feedback that maybe stepping up your game in style isn’t really that necessary. Personally, I think you’re taking away some great opportunities if you don’t pay attention to your style. I’m not suggesting a sense of conforming, I believe everybody has their own style. It’s just a matter of bringing your style up notch and making the impression that you want.
I would like to share a couple of great resources that I have and some that I have recently come across that are written so well, it inspires you.
- Secrets Of Nonverbal Communication
- Manliness: The Baby and the Bathwater
- Dress Smart Women
- Dress Smart Men
- The Power of Body Language
- Style Guide – For Business and Technical Communication
These are only a couple of really good resources. Don’t forget to leave a comment of some resources you think no person should be without. What style tips would you give that you think makes a big impact for you? Do you think society has gotten too comfortable or just lazy about their presentation and style? Would you like to see the attention to style and presentation of the bygone era return? Would you like to see people dressing appropriately to functions and events, such as church, weddings, anniversaries, and such, as well as going out to a nice restaurant and the theater (I’m speaking of the theater that you would see Phantom of the Opera, not the movie theater)? Would love to hear your thoughts.
Body language says a lot about a person, whether we like it or not. Some things we do, we do unconsciously. If you find yourself meeting resistance when interacting with others, it might be a signal to evaluate what your visual presentation is conveying.
Here are some things to avoid:
- The tentative entrance. Walk with purpose, confidence, and that you belong. Otherwise you will either 1. appear to be lost or that you don’t know what you are doing there, or 2. just won’t be noticed at all.
- The downcast look. Eye contact is important or you will come across disinterested or, worse, dishonest.
- The lowered chin. This posture comes across aggressive and makes eye contact impossible.
- The dead-fish handshake. This conveys lack of self-confidence and, an offense, disinterest.
- The death-grip handshake. Just makes the other person uncomfortable. Not a good first impression.
- Fidgeting. Other people catch onto it whether you realize it or not making others nervous, frustrated, and eager to leave.
- Sighing. Suggests that the situation calls for despair. You really aren’t that negative and depressing, are you?
- Yawning. Be attentive and interested.
- Head scratching. Equals confusion.
- Lip biting. Nervous, anxious.
- Rubbing the back of the head or neck. This gestures conveys frustration and impatience.
- Narrowing of the eyes. Very negative gesture suggesting disagreement, resentment, and anger. Squinting just suggests you are absolutely clueless.
- Raised eyebrows. This act conveys that you do not believe or trust what the person is saying, disbelief.
- Peering over the top of your eyeglasses. Same thing as raised eyebrows.
- Crossing arms in front of your chest. This is a message of defiance and being close minded. The tighter and higher, the more elevated the aggression.
- Rubbing eyes, ears, or the side of the nose. These tell others that you doubt what is being said by either yourself or someone else.
I realize that I have a tendency to fuss and fidget having been in a car accident that fractured the length of my spinal column in my back, neck, and skull. So I make every effort to take deep breaths and, literally, shake it off (I do this somewhere I am alone before going into a room to interact). Yoga and meditation also helps to keep me limber and reduce the build up of stress in my muscles. Nevertheless, I realize that I do this and have taken steps to reduce it so as not to make other people uncomfortable.
Have you ever watched the TV series “Lie to Me?” This is a great show to learn how our mannerisms, expressions, and reactions disclose what we think and feel. A great resource to check out.
These tips were brought to you by a book that I am currently reading called The Unofficial Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder by Jack Griffin.
I look forward to hearing your comments and your own stories.
