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September 2004 : Issue 27
Editor: Tara West
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In This Issue
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> Welcome
> Article: Body Language During an Interview
> Quote
> Writing Your Résumé - Part 13 – Key Technical Skills
> Subscribe / Unsubscribe Information
> Contact Information
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Welcome
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Welcome!
We are often asked for information about interview techniques, and alas we
don’t have a good source of information. A strong advocate of body
language, I was delighted to come across Frank’s website, Bodycom, and even
more-so when I discovered an article on Interviews. Frank has kindly
granted permission to re-print his article which I’m sure you’ll find just
as fascinating as I did!
Read it, read it again, and then carry out a mock interview; putting into
practice everything Frank suggests… I’m sure you’ll see the benefits of
observing and using positive body language.
If you’re thinking “mock” interviews might seem a tad silly, they’re
not. I remember doing this myself years ago (without Frank’s tips, of
course!), and I certainly reaped the benefits as I got the job. I hope you
too have the same success.
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Until next time, keep smiling.
Tara West
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ARTICLE:
Body Language During an Interview
by Frank van Marwijk
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Letter, interview and body language
The rules as regards applying for jobs have been subject to enormous changes
lately. In the past, people preferred a hand-written application letter. It is
becoming more and more common these days to find a vacancy on the Internet, and
to apply for it via the Internet as well. Quite often it is sufficient to place
your C.V. on the web. Because of this, the application procedure often goes
quicker, and now you can find yourself invited for a job interview before you
know it. You can find information on the Internet about how to apply for jobs.
Information can be found about how to write your application letter, the clothes
that you should wear and how to carry out the interview itself. The importance
of body language is often mentioned, but doesn't always get the attention it
deserves. After all, before a word has even been spoken, your body language will
have already given people their first impression of you.
What type of person are you?
By using words you can explain what type of education you have received and
what experience you have gained since then. You can also show through words that
you know what you're talking about and you can answer questions to clarify
matters. At the same time however, your body language will also give out a lot
more information. Based on your body language it can be seen if you come across
as insecure or self-assured. It can also show if you are a busy or a quiet type
and it helps give an impression of whether you are speaking truthfully or not.
Body language can show if you are not prone to stress. It can show how
enthusiastic you are and if you are a nice person, someone who will take his
work serious, but also someone who has a sense of humour and can enjoy a joke
from time to time. The members of the application committee will ask you
questions, but your answers won't only be oral. The committee will not only pay
attention to what you say, but also to how you say it! Body language will
determine first if it 'clicks', and sometimes all it takes is just a few
seconds. Everybody uses body language, but it takes place mostly at a
subconscious level. Through becoming more aware of your own body language, but
also through recognising the body language of others, you can definitely
increase your chances of getting the job.
Pay attention to time!
It might be a cliché to talk about arriving on time for a job interview, but
I think it is still important to bring it to your attention anew. Your attitude
or attention to time will also send out non-verbal messages. An interview for a
job is seen as a very important appointment, and showing up too late for your
appointment is therefore absolutely unacceptable. Missing the bus or getting
stuck in a traffic jam are pretty lame excuses. After all, for an important
appointment like this you should have taken that into account. It's much better
to arrive way too early than even a little too late! If you are too early for
your appointment you don't have to go in immediately. Sometimes it's better to
walk around a little in the neighbourhood, because waiting for a long time in a
hallway or a 'sweatbox' will not do your nerves any good. If it is very cold
outside, it might be wise to go back inside about ten minutes before your
appointment because it can be very unpleasant to have to shake an ice-cold hand.
The first meeting
After you have announced yourself at the reception or to an employee of the
company, you will often be asked to take a seat. After awhile someone will come
to lead you to the interview area. Do not jump up immediately and offer this
person a handshake. It's better to let the other person take the initiative.
Shake hands firmly, but not too powerfully and look straight at the other
person. After this you will be introduced to the (other) members of the
application committee. During this introduction it is better to walk around the
table to shake hands with the committee members, instead of leaning over the
table. With each greeting look directly at the other person, and say your name.
Except for an internal application, don't assume that the other people know your
name.
Choosing the right seat
After the initial introduction you will usually be directed to take a seat.
If you are left to choose a place yourself, choose a place from where you can
clearly see all the interview participants, and from where they can also see
you. If someone is sitting half behind you, and you can't really see him, he may
not get such a good impression of you because of this.
Tune your body posture
During your job interview try to adopt a posture that shows interest but
still comes across as being relaxed. You can do this by sitting up straight in
your chair at the beginning of the interview, with your back against the back of
the chair. If you slouch or hang sideways in your chair, it might give the
impression that you are not that interested in the job. However, sitting on the
edge of your chair can come across as being a little tense and might give the
impression that you feel uncomfortable.
You can change your body posture a little during the interview. For example,
when someone says something it is good to turn a little with your shoulders
towards this person and to lean forward a little. This shows an interest in what
the other person is saying. You can emphasise this by tilting your head a
little. It is also important to pay attention to the posture of your interview
partners. In some cases you can achieve mutual tuning by adopting the same
posture as the other person.
What to do with your hands?
Just the same as when you are giving a presentation, many people often regard
their hands as obstacles during a job interview rather than a useful means of
communication. That is why people often ask what to do with their hands. In a
difficult situation we are often inclined to fold our arms across our body. This
helps to give us a more secure feeling. During a job interview it is better not
to do this, because folding your arms can be interpreted as a defensive move. It
is better to let your hands lie loosely on your lap or place them on the
armrests of your chair. From these positions it's also easy to support your
words with hand gestures.
Movements: a dynamic interview?
Nodding your head while speaking is a good way of supporting your words or
adding meaning to them. Hand movements can also help to liven up the interview.
The fact that you dare to make movements with your hands during an interview
might indicate that you feel at ease quickly. In most cases it is better not to
make too many hand movements at the start of the interview but add them slowly
throughout the interview. As regards this, pay attention to your interview
partners as well: if they use their hands a lot to make things clear, you can
definitely do this as well. When they don't make many movements, it is better if
you don't either. Just the same as with body posture, it is important to tune
your movements to those of the other person. Also pay attention to inadvertent
movements that you may make sometimes due to nervousness. For example, shuffling
with your feet or kicking against the leg of a table can be very irritating for
other people. Drumming with your fingers or clicking with a pen also won't be a
great contribution to the interview. So pay attention!
When should you look at whom?
During the job interview it is important to look at all the interview
partners to an equal extent. By looking directly at the other person we are
giving them a sign of trust. By looking directly at people we are also in
control of the conversation. Looking directly at somebody or looking away
actually serves as the dots and commas in our spoken sentences. When one of the
committee members explains something or poses a question, keep looking at this
person for as long as he or she is speaking. This shows that you're listening.
While he is speaking he may also look at the other people, but every time he
wants to emphasise something he will look at you again. You can then nod to
encourage him to continue talking. At the end of his question, he will keep
looking at you and then tilt his head up a little to invite you to give an
answer. When you answer a question, you will look first at the person who posed
the question, but while you answer you should take turns looking at the other
interview partners as well. You should direct yourself again to the person who
posed the question when you want to emphasise something and at the end of your
answer.
Also pay attention to the body language of your interview partners
Apart from paying attention to your own body language, it is also important
to see how your interview partners are behaving. The postures and movements of
other people can give you an impression of how you are coming across to them.
This can serve as a warning at an early stage that you might be doing something
wrong that you are not being aware of. For example, when the committee members
are of the opinion that you hold the floor for too long or you annoy them with
your interruptions, they will show their irritation at first through their body
language. When the committee members shake their heads, sigh or fold their arms
and lean back, you can take this as a sign of displeasure. Usually it is not yet
too late to change this. You see, it also applies to your interview partners
that their body language takes place subconsciously. However, don't wait too
long because then their irritation will transfer to their consciousness.
Do not worry too much about tension
Knowledge of body language can help you improve the mutual tuning during the
interview. You can use this knowledge to hide your nervousness a little, but
actually this is something you shouldn't worry about too much. Many applicants
are nervous during an interview and of course they would much prefer not to let
this nervousness show. However, it's not such a bad thing to be nervous. The
committee members will understand this. Your nervousness may even show that you
feel this job is important to you. If you weren't nervous, and therefore sit a
little nonchalant, it might indicate that you are not that interested. Also
realise that the job interview is more than just a means for the employer to
determine which of the candidates is most suitable for the job. The job
interview especially is a moment of mutual acquaintance. It's a first meeting
with people that you might soon work together with. Therefore the boss should
actually be just as nervous as you!
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text: Frank van Marwijk.
translation: Suzanne van Leendert
© Bodycom
Lichaamscommunicatie, The Netherlands
Bodycom Lichaamscommunicatie
Voorschoten, The Netherlands, K.v.K. Leiden 28088572
http://www.bodylanguage.nu
e-mail: info@lichaamstaal.nl
telephone: 06 16024219
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QUOTE
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“Set your sights high, the higher the better.
Expect the most wonderful things to
happen, not in the future but right now.
Realise that nothing is too good.
Allow absolutely nothing to hamper you or
hold you up in any way.”
~ Eileen Caddy ~
Co-founder of the Findhorn Foundation, Scotland
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WRITING YOUR RÉSUMÉ - PART 13 – KEY TECHNICAL SKILLS
Each month we'll be providing specific tips on what information you could be
including in your résumé.
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This area of your résumé generally applies to IT related roles or roles
requiring a high degree of competency in various machinery. For non-IT related
roles your “computer skills” should be demonstrated in Key Competencies.
Include your skills and knowledge in areas such as programming, platforms,
software, databases, hardware, etc., and ensure you include every proficiency.
For instance, if you are a Helpdesk Officer and you have stated Microsoft
Office as one of your key technical competencies, this doesn’t really state
what part of Office you are proficient in. Are you a whiz with Excel,
conversant with Access, etc? This will also ensure that your skills are
“matched” with the requirements of the role. There’s no point in
letting the hiring manager second-guess your skills. Worse still, a hiring
manager who isn’t 100% sure what Office encompasses.
In most instances, don’t include your level of proficiency (on a scale of 1
to 5), nor how many years experience you have in each. This can be
subjective – your own rating may differ to that of an employers. It can also,
at times, work as a negative. If need be you can expand upon this at
interview.
To find out what to include and how to structure your résumé, visit Aussie
Résumés at www.aussieresumes.com
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