The Lion’s Pride:Interviewing

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The Lion’s Pride: Interviewing

Body Language 101

Experts agree that what you say is only fraction of what you’re communicating. While statistics vary widely, most studies show your body language is AT LEAST as important as your verbiage. In fact, many hiring managers say job hunters kill interviews by negating their words with their bodies.

Don’t let this happen to you. Here’s a quick primer:

Eye contact. Have you ever talked to someone whose eyes rarely land on your own? They might look down, to the side or even up – anywhere but directly at you. This conveys a lack of confidence and even dishonesty; you’ll be seen as either shifty or a mouse. Most employers shy away from dishonest and timid people. Practice looking people in the eyes when speaking to your friends, family and contacts. It will carry over to your interviewing skills and make you a more attractive candidate.

Flying to the moon. This goes beyond the clichéd “defensive” and “open” positions (crossed arms and/or legs=defensiveness). I took a public speaking class back in college and our speeches were videotaped. Before our prof would let us watch ourselves in real time, she played our speeches in fast forward. Our arms appeared to flap like wings. It looked like we’d pace a rut into the floor. Her point was simple: when you’re speaking, any movement should serve a purpose. If you’re moving during your interview, it should be for one of three purposes: 1) you’re mirroring the interviewer; 2) to appear more relaxed; or 3) to gesture. Other movements should be limited, as they may be viewed as fidgeting.

Where your head’s at. You likely already know that hanging your head low projects an air of defeat and/or low self esteem. But did you know cocking your head to one side or another projects an image of confusion? Likewise, if you lay your head to one side when you talk, you will be seen as submissive. You should keep your head relatively steady, facing forward.

IN THE CARAVAN: Increase your interview effectiveness by bringing your body language in synch with your words.

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Interviewing

Negotiating Pay / The Questions You Hate to Answer / Nerves? Schmerves! / Pre-Interview Prep / Dress the Part / How to Show Your Portfolio / Speaking Of Pay... / All Shapes and Sizes / Interview Practice / What To - And NOT To Reveal / Andre's Answers and Roger's Requests / Practice Like The Karate Kid / Building Rapport 101 / Be a S.T.A.R. / Worst...Interview...Answers...Ever. / The Five Most Important Questions for You to Ask / Reflecting for Rapport / 18 Questions You're Bound to Hear / The Phone Interview / Negotiating With Mr. Smith, Part I / Negotiating With Mr. Smith, Part II: My Pete Rose for Your Reggie Jackson and Matchbox / Negotiating With Mr. Smith, Part III: Smith vs. Jones vs. Greene / Remove Thy Foot from Thy Mouth / Body Language 101 / Interviewing Disasters / Hire Your Boss / Keeping Your Cool Under Pressure / Returning the Question / The Dinner Interview / What You Want? Baby, You Know I Got It! / Know Your Industry / You Don’t Need to be a Psychic / Training / The Hippo Technique / Dropping Names / Marking Your Territory / The Walk-On Role / Body Language: The 15 Signals Hiring Managers Send and How to Read Them / You Have GOT to be KIDDING Me! / Taking a Drop: Re-Interviewing After the Fact / Proposing Your Own Job / Answering Self-Employment Questions: The Self-Employment Paradox