COMMUNICATION
VERBAL NON-VERBAL
Communication can be broadly classified into two categories: Verbal
communication and Non-verbal communication. Verbal communication consists
of all the messages that we send and receive through the use of language, either
spoken or written. Non-verbal communication consists of the sending and
receiving of messages and thoughts using one’s body language and gestures.
Now, what exactly do we mean by body language and gestures? When two or
more people interact, a host of hidden signals are sent, either consciously or
unconsciously, by each of them. These signals may come together, in ‘clusters’,
or individually. The sum of all these signals is called body language. Gestures
are particular signals that the person may consciously or unconsciously be using,
like waving one’s hands to illustrate one’s point.
In other words, body language is the way people unconsciously telegraph their
private thoughts and emotions through body movements – the way in which they
fold their arms, cross their legs, sit, stand, walk, use their hips, eyes, and even in
the subtle way they move their lips.
The ‘medium’ of body language is, of course, the body. Body language can
include any reflexive or non-reflexive movement of a part or all of the body to
communicate an emotional message to the outside world. It is the basis from
which we draw our non-verbal conclusions.
Body language is a ‘universal’ language – except for specific cultural variations –
used by people all over the world with gestures commonly interpreted by most
people everywhere, as well as gestures that have cultural overtones and are
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understood by the people of the respective cultures. For instance, almost anyone
can tell just by looking at a person whether he is happy or sad, angry or calm, or
nervous or composed.
Of course, the study of body language is not similar to that of other languages,
like French, or Spanish, or English, because it goes beyond verbal
communication. Even if we do not know a foreign language, we can
‘communicate’ rather well through body language because it is ‘read’ and
interpreted by people all over the world.
Some may claim, and rightly so, that they already know and use body language,
so how will further study help. It is true that we have all been using body
language since infancy. But is our knowledge complete and comprehensive? If it
is, then this presentation has hardly anything new or extraordinary to offer. But it
could help in another way. It will sharpen our perception by enabling us to ‘label’
and ‘vocalize’ what we already know in non-verbal communication, and make our
observation more deliberate and detailed for greater efficiency and more
accurate interpretation.
Body language covers a range of aspects of the body, including the following:
Posture
Facial Expressions & Eyes
Gestures
Physical contacts/ Territorial Zones
Non-verbal Vocalizations
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GESTURES
Gestures mean individual signals which a person consciously or unconsciously
sends to others. They may be sent individually, or in groups known as ‘clusters’.
Gesture clusters help in identifying the true feelings and thoughts that a person
may be trying to hide. We will be dealing in particular with hand gestures.
THE HANDS
Hands play a vital role in non-verbal communication. It expresses gestures in the
form of handshakes, hand positions, etc. The hands express what a person
thinks and has to say, it is a dead give-away. It helps the other person to
understand what is being conveyed. The following are a few common hand
signals:
Restless Hands: If a person is uneasy, nervous, or jittery, his hands will be
rather active and restless; picking, biting or sucking the fingers is quite
common in such circumstances.
Clenched Hands: It signifies extreme emphasis, vehement
declaration, fierce determination and desperate resolve. They also often
indicate tension and frustration (the sense of having one’s hands tied) and
even anger. Hands clenched in front of the face, clenched hands placed on
a table, or on the lap while seated, and hands clenched in front of the crotch
while standing reveal a persons feeling of negativity. This gesture
sometimes also indicates the person’s need for reassurance.
Wringing Hands: It means to twist and compress; to strain and turn
violently; to squeeze or press out causing pain. This gesture denotes
discomfort and tension when facing a trying situation or an overbearing
person.
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Fists: The clenched fist signifies determination, anger and possible
hostile actions. It is generally made by males. A person gesturing with his
fist may cause a heated argument or may cause the other to display
hostility.
Steepling: Some people join their fingertips and form what might be
described as a ‘church steeple’. It designates the confident and sometimes
smug, pontifical, egoistic or proud gesture. It immediately communicates
that a person is very sure of what he is saying.
Rubbing Palms Together: People rub their palms together to non-
verbally communicate some positive expectation; for instance, when a high
jumper is about to attempt his qualifying jump, or a carom player is about to
take his final shot, which he knows is easy, and will bring him victory.
Standard Arm Cross: Both arms folded across the chest is a
universal gesture that signifies defensiveness or negativity. It signals an
attempt to hide from an unfavourable situation. This gesture can also signify
disagreement, discomfort or discontentment. A forced smile at times serves
as a ‘cover-up’ for these emotions.
Reinforced Arm Cross: This is the standard arm-cross gesture but
with the fist tightly clenched. It signifies a hostile or an offensive attitude. It
may be accompanied by a gesture cluster like flared nostrils and gritted
teeth. This person is about to attack – verbally, at least!
Arms Behind Back: Holding one arm behind the back and clenching
the hand lightly, while the other grips the wrist or arm, is a gesture that
people use to disguise the emotions of anger, frustration and fear. It is a
gesture of self-control. A worker or salesperson who is made to wait outside
the boss’ cabin may make this gesture out of nervousness. The further up
the other hand is gripping the arm, the higher the self-control being exerted.
If the hand is unclenched, and the other hand is at the wrist, this is a gesture
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of superiority and confidence. The person is exposing vulnerable areas like
the stomach, heart and throat, unconsciously showing fearlessness.
Putting Objects in Mouth: When busy with something, it is not
uncommon to see people putting things in their mouths, or chewing or biting
objects around them. This gesture clearly indicates that the person is under
great pressure and is procrastinating. It could also indicate that the person
is ‘hungry’ for more information. Children sucking their thumbs, people biting
their nails, biting pens or pencils, cigarettes or pipes, all reflect an inner
need for reassurance.
The Neck Scratch: Scratching satisfies a physical need; it also
signifies that the person is not psychologically comfortable at that point. A
slow, sustained scratch on the cheek, chin or neck followed by the eyes
looking up, down or away means that the person is trying to recollect
something from memory. The scratch could also mean that the person has
just realized that he has made a fool of himself in front of others and is
embarrassed.
Palm To Back Of Neck: When a person places his palm to the back of
his head, it indicates that he is on the defensive or has acknowledged
defeat in the argument. Women may disguise this gesture by the motion of
setting their hair.
Collar Pull: People make the collar pull gesture when they are telling a
lie or when they feel their lie has been detected by the other person. This
gesture is also used by an angry or frustrated person, where he needs to
pull away the collar from the neck so as to allow cool air to circulate around
it.
Head in Hand: The head supported at the cheeks by one or both
hands can signify despair, bereavement, prolonged thinking, interest, or at
the other end of the spectrum, extreme boredom. It is the accompanying
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eye gestures that reinforce the message. If the head is fully supported by
the heel of the palm, with eyes half closed and drooping, it indicates
extreme boredom, but a desire to indicate otherwise.
Hands on Hips: This common gesture is generally used to
communicate an aggressive attitude – which is its more basic meaning – or
to show readiness or the ability to do a job. The person indicates that they
are in a demanding mood, or annoyed, or expecting a better response. Men
use this gesture as a non-verbal challenge to other men, while women use it
to look more appealing. A child who challenges his parents’ authority may
also use this gesture.
HANDSHAKES
Our styles of handshakes are generally governed by our attitudes. There are
basically three main attitudes – dominance, submission & equality.
The Manly Handshake: Here the other person’s hand is gripped,
squeezed firmly and released. It indicates that the initiator considers the
other person an equal.
The Palm-Down Thrust: In this handshake, when taking the
receiver’s hand, the giver turns his hand so that his palm faces downward,
though not necessarily parallel to the floor, while the receiver’s faces up. A
variation of this gesture is to offer the hand with the palm facing downward.
It signifies dominance and aggression.
The Glove Handshake: This is also recognized as the ‘politicians
handshake’. It is done by grasping the hand with the right hand and cupping
it with the left, to communicate that one is trustworthy and honest.
The Stiff-Arm Handshake: Here the arms are kept stiff, thus
placing the receiver at ‘arm’s length’, literally out of one’s ‘intimacy zone’. It
is generally used by aggressive people.
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THE FACE & THE EYES
THE FACE
The face is the most expressive part of the body. In our daily interaction with
people it is the face that first draws our attention, since it is directly observable.
Researchers of non-verbal communication have found that in a normal one-to-
one encounter people look longer at the face than at other parts of the anatomy.
Therefore, what we ‘read’ in the face is of great importance in the communication
process.
In the movies and TV serials, actors exaggerate and prolong certain gestures so
as to make an impression on the audience. In real life our facial signals are all
too fleeting; they appear and disappear, in a fifth of a second.
The flashes of facial signals are generally spontaneous reactions which a person
finds difficult to hide. It is for this very reason that they are so quick and
instinctive that they reflect one’s true feelings, which may or may not match with
what a person is saying. When someone is telling a lie, for example, his
subconscious will betray him by letting surface a fleeting emotional reaction on
his face, which any perceptive person will notice as contradictory to his words.
SMILING
Smiling and frowning are two major facial expressions. The smile tends to
convey the general states of acceptance and agreements; the frown of rejection
and disagreement.
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The smile is the most universally recognized non-verbal signal. It has enormous
power to defuse tense situations, smoothen customer service, raise the level of
teamwork, and communicate friendliness. A genuine smile can convey pleasant
emotions such as happiness, acceptance, and appreciation. The following are
the types of smiles:
Simple Smile: This is when the teeth are not exposed. We generally wear
the simple smile when we are watching something interesting or pleasant
but are not physically involved in the action. We smile to ourselves.
Upper Smile: This, as the title indicates, exposes the upper set of teeth. It
is a friendly smile, usually when we greet someone. It is accompanied by
eye contact.
Broad Smile: This smile exposes both sets of teeth, and is usually
accompanied by laughter.
LAUGHTER
Laughter is composed of a broad range of gestures and sounds. One can
distinguish a burst of laughter from average horselaugh which is characterized by
an open mouth and exposed teeth. The vocalized smile is the softest form of
audible laughter.
All of us develop habits of some sort or another. In the same way, we develop
our own particular style of expressing ourselves non-verbally. Where laughter is
concerned, some have the habits of laughing automatically or spontaneously,
while others strictly guard their vocal expressions. The latter reserve laughter
only for social occasions. The following are the varieties of laughter:
Humorous Laughter: This may be regarded as an overt
expression of rebellion against social pressure, codes ad institution, of
which all of us are victims.
Social Laughter: This means of expressing friendship
and liking, gaining social approval, and bolstering group cohesiveness.
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Ignorance Laughter: Ignorance laughter we recognize
that a joke has been told but wish to conceal our ignorance or inability to
comprehend it. So we laugh with everyone else in the group so that we are
not left out or look stupid.
Embarrassment Laughter: Here we laugh because we
are not quite sure what the other person’s comments mean or whether his
intentions towards us are amicable or hostile.
Anxiety Laughter: Tension in social encounters stems
from anxiety as well as embarrassment. Anxiety laughter is a manifestation
of the release of tension from a specific anxiety-provoking situation. We may
laugh with a feeling of relief when a period of acute tension comes to an
end.
Joyous Laughter: This is a pure expression of
excitement; a spontaneous reaction to pleasurable and exhilarating
activities and particularly characteristic of children at play.
THE EYES
The eyes are a part of the face, but on account of their critical role in non-verbal
communication they merit special treatment. “The eyes of men converse as
much as their tongues, with the advantage that the ocular dialect needs do
dictionary, but it is understood the world over,” said Emerson.
Eye contact is one of the most important aspects of dealing with others,
especially when people two people have just met. Maintaining good eye contact
shows respect and interest in what they have to say.
The eyes can be steely, knowing, mocking, piercing, shifty… They can level a
‘burning’ glance, or a ‘cold’ glance or a ‘hurt’ glance! Or, again, they can be wise,
knowing, inviting, scary, disinterested, and so on. A variety of metaphoric
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expressions are used for the kind of look and attitude the eyes convey: ‘to look
daggers at someone’, ‘to have big, baby eyes’, ‘to have shifty eyes’, or ‘inviting
eyes’, or ‘a gleam in the eyes’.
In UK they tend to keep eye contact around 60-70% of the time (however, there
are wide cultural differences, so be careful in other countries). By doing this you
won't make the other person feel self-conscious, like they've got a bit of
vegetable stuck between their teeth or a dewdrop hanging from the nose…
Instead, it will give them a feeling of comfort and genuine warmth in your
company. Any more eye contact than this and you can be too intense, any less,
and you give off a signal that you are lacking interest in them or their
conversation.
GAZING
Gazing means looking intently. It is a non-verbal signal which concerns the act,
duration and manner of looking. We gaze in order to perceive the expressions of
others, especially those of their faces. The duration of eye contact can vary
considerably across individuals and cultures. The normal gaze for individual
conversation should be 5 – 15 seconds, and while talking to a group one should
gaze at specific individuals for 4 – 5 seconds.
There are different types of gazes. They include:
Mutual Gaze: It gives off a feeling of intimacy, mutual attraction
and attentiveness. The mutual gaze plays a central role in the complex
sequences of non-verbal communication involved in greetings and partings.
Business Gaze: When one gaze directly at the area between
the eyes, near the bridge of the nose, one has a look of seriousness on
one’s face. It makes the other person realize we mean business.
Social Gaze: To create a social atmosphere, the gaze must drop below eye
level. Generally one looks at the triangle between the eyes and the mouth.
Intimate Gaze: The intimate gaze area extends across the eyes
and below the chin to other parts of the person’s body. It indicates interest
in the other person.
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Eye Dart: This happens when the person is nervous or under a
great deal of pressure. The eyes tend to dart in all directions.
EYE CONTACT
Eye contact signifies awareness and acceptance, which sometimes precedes
conversation and involvement. Lack of eye contact communicates a lack of
interest. The varieties of eye contact are:
Polite inattention: When we encounter individuals we are
unfamiliar with, we avoid staring at them, but we also avoid ignoring them.
So we glance at them deliberately, with ‘polite inattention’. That is, you look
at a person just long enough to make it obvious that we have seen him, and
then we turn our eyes away.
Exchanging Glances: When we pass a stranger on the street,
we may exchange a glance with them. If we look directly at the other
persons face before looking away it indicates the message, “I trust you. I am
not afraid of you.”
The Look-and-Away Technique: This is often used when we
face persons of repute, or those physically disabled. It is an assurance to
them that we respect their privacy and not intrude upon it by staring.
Awkward Glances: In certain situations we find that our
glances are awkward appendages. Awkward eye contacts also happen in
crowded places – for instance, in a bus, train or elevator. Here we sneak
glances and then look away at once before the eyes can lock glances.
EYE FEEDBACK
There are number of ways in which we receive feedback from eye movements. In
negotiation situations, if the other person hardens the lower eyelids and sets
them rigidly, we can surmise that we have lost him, he will not yield to us. In the
course of a conversation, if the other person’s eyes start wandering around the
room, or he begins to look at his watch, he has lost interest. When the other
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person’s eyes go dull, it means we have said something he does not understand
or which does not appeal to him.
Eye contact also reflects our self-confidence and many of our other personality
traits. Moreover, it expresses the numerous emotional elements that are a part of
our personality at any given time, such as surprise, joy, satisfaction, sadness,
shock, disappointment, anger, curiosity, warmth, respect, strength and pride.
POSTURES
Body postures are important in non-verbal communication because they reveal
attitudes and emotions. Here are a few postures, and the meanings they imply:
SITTING POSTURES
The legs play an active role in body language, particularly so in sitting postures.
The way they are positioned (crossed, close together, held apart) can convey
relaxation, tension, modesty, seduction, and so on. Shaking one’s foot can reveal
impatience, anger, or nervousness, while stamping can reveal authority,
arrogance, or contempt. Both feet placed firmly on the floor can indicate the one
feels one is on firm ground, secure and confident.
Crossed-leg Posture: Crossed legs signal a negative or defensive
attitude. People often sit with the legs and/or arms crossed to indicate
discomfort, withdrawal, or resistance against anyone’s reaching them.
Getting such a person to uncross his legs and/or arms results in his taking
an open attitude in communication with others.
Standard Crossed-leg Position: In this position, the European or
‘standard’ legs cross, one leg is crossed neatly over the other, usually the
right over the left. A person taking such position may be nervous,
withdrawn, or on the defensive. But there are also positive aspects of this
position during lectures, or when they have to sit on comfortable chairs for
an extended period.
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Ankle-lock Position: Sometimes, while sitting or standing, people lock the
ankles of their feet. This is usually coupled with the clenched-hand gestures.
These gestures together signify a ‘holding back’ of strong feelings, attitudes,
and emotions. They spell out a defensive, negative attitude. The ankle-lock
position could also display tension, for instance, in people waiting outside a
doctor’s clinic, or those waiting for a job interview.
The ‘Lincolnesque’ Position: Sitting in a chair with both the feet
planted firmly on the floor and apart, and arms resting flat on the arms of the
chair, signifies an open attitude. For instance, two people seated facing
each other in this manner will be agreeable to each other’s ideas. There will
hardly any resistance; hence neither will feel threatened by the other.
Legs Over the Arm of the Chair: At first we assumed that it was a
comfortable position from which a person communicated by his openness a
certain amount of cooperative spirit. However, we soon discover that
despite that seemingly relaxed position, the person ---- even if sometimes
has a slight smile on his face--- is not cooperative, he is generally
unconcerned about or hostile to the other person’s feelings or needs.
Straddling a Chair: Straddling a chair, that is, sitting with the chair
around so that its back faces the other person, is a show of dominance or
aggression, although to al outward appearances it gives the impression that
one is only being informal and cooperative.
Sitting on the Edge of a Chair: Those who move to the edge of
the chair indicate that they are ready to compromise, cooperate, accept or
agree, or conclude, reject or abandon. It is a gesture that is very obvious
and leads to action
Rocking or Swinging in a Chair: Some people are used to
rocking in a chair, either forward or backward, or from side to side. This
movement indicates that the person feels that he is in full control of the
situation, and is confident that things will work out in his favour.
Hands Behind the Head: This gesture is commonly used by
professionals or people who are feeling very confident, dominant or superior
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about something. Non-verbally, this signal gives the message, “I have all the
answers.” or, “Maybe one day you’ll be as smart as I am.” or, “Everything’s
under control.” It is also a gesture used by ‘know-it-all’ people, which most
people find very irritating.
STANDING POSTURES
‘Standing tall’ has to do with the upper part of the body, which is held straight and
upright, and indicates self-confidence. Some people can change their feelings
from depression to determination merely by squaring their shoulders and
straightening the back. In contrast, a body not properly held may strongly convey
a person’s feeling of low self-esteem.
The lower part of the body often tends to be neglected. Some people are in the
habit of positioning themselves with one hip pushed back while they are standing
and conversing. This stance often lowers their impact on the other person. It
sends a non-verbal message of ‘I don’t want to be here’, and literally distances
them from the other. Other variations of this gesture are rocking from side to
side, going back and froth on one’s heels and toes, and pacing.
The Correct Posture: There are no right or wrong ways to stand or
move. The posture most acceptable is the one in which the body is erect and
exudes self-assurance. It is important to lean slightly towards a person in
order to indicate that one involved and interested.
WALKING POSTURES
Each person has a distinct walk; often we identify people by their walk. Our walk
is shaped on the basis of our individual body structure and emotions. These
control our pace and length of stride, and our posture.
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The following are some walking styles:
Arms Swinging: A person with quick stride and arms swinging
freely is identified as being goal oriented and on a definite mission.
Hands in Pockets: People who tend to walk with their hands in
their pockets may possess a character that is prone to being critical and
secretive.
Hands on Hips: Walking with hands on hips is the typical mark or
a ‘rusher’ – one who wants to be up on the move with out wasting time.
Meditative Walk: People who are preoccupied with some problem
may tend to walk at slow pace with their head down and hands clasped
behind their back.
Confidence Walk: This is the walking style of a ‘strutter’ – chin
raised, arms swinging exaggeratedly, legs somewhat stiff, and the pace
impressively deliberate and calculated. This style exudes confidence.
Leadership Walk: This refers to people who ‘set the pace’ of
walking. They walk with deliberate steps, clearly indicating that they are
headed towards a specific, desired goal; hence, other may take the cue and
follow, if they so wish.
Pacing: This is walking with measured steps and with a particular
gait. People pace up and down a limited area: a room, a veranda, or a
courtyard. They resort to pacing while attempting to solve a complex
problem or when faced with a difficult decision.
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TERRITORIAL ZONES AND SPACES
We have an invisible space around us which we treasure as our own possession,
which we carry along with us wherever we go; i.e. we walk around inside a
private bubble, which represents the amount of space we feel we must have
between others and ourselves. In our dealings with people, we either approach
them or keep a distance, as required, either deliberately or unconsciously.
By avoiding eye contact or turning our face away, we send out signals that a
stranger is to either keep out of the invisible space around us or enter at their
own risk. If the person does not take the cue and invades our space, we may act
nasty or cold and indifferent in order to drive him away.
SPATIAL REQUIREMENTS
Emotions have a direct effect on the size of our territory. The space bubble of a
person who is angry or under stress expands and the person needs more space.
Stress as a result of overcrowding is cumulative; people are more tolerant of
crowds early in the day, but owing to the stress they accumulate in the course of
the day, their tolerance level decreases, and by the end of the day, they begin to
lose their temper if pressured by crowds.
DEFENDING PERSONAL SPACE
People are highly sensitive to any intrusion of their personal space. If a person
stands too close, the first instinct is to back up. If that is not possible, the person
withdraws on the spot, with the muscles tensing up. If that does not work, the
next move is to use physical barriers like briefcases or anything else in one’s
hand. If all efforts at ‘cueing’ the other person fail, the person may move to
another spot.
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PERSONAL DISTANCE SCALE
There are four basic distinct zones. They are as follows:
Intimate Distance Zone: This zone can be categorised into ‘close’
and ‘far’. The close intimate zone may entail actual physical contact and
extend to about six inches, and understandably is reserved only for those
who are emotionally close, like friends, family and lovers. The far intimate
zone ranges from six to eighteen inches, within touching distance. It is
crossed in crowded areas.
Personal Distance Zone: Personal space is the area one
maintains around themselves in which others cannot enter without causing
discomfort. The close area ranges between one and a half and two and a
half feet. The far area ranges between two and a half and four feet; this
affords some amount of personal space.
Social Distance Zone: The close social zone is between four and
seven feet; this is the distance generally maintained in routine business
transactions and at casual social gatherings. The far social zone is between
seven and twelve feet, and is used in formal relationships – social and
business.
Public Distance Zone: The close phase is between twelve and
twenty-five feet; this is suitable for a conference or a lecture. The far phase
is twenty-five feet and more; this is the distance maintained by, say, a
politician, for security reasons, and by actors on a stage. In this stage, facial
expression is difficult to see, a louder voice is required and body
movements need to be exaggerated.
BODY LANGUAGE AND JOB INTERVIEWS
At a job interview, a skilled interviewer may be trained to ‘read body language;
but even an unskilled interviewer learns much about the interviewee through his
body language. The body as we have seen, betrays attitudes and feelings that
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we would much rather keep to ourselves. Interviewers carefully observe
responses and body language in order to pick up clues that will get them as close
as possible to the truth of what the interviewee is saying.
As an interviewee you must remember the dictum, “The first impression is the
last impression.” It would be to your advantage to make an extra effort to ensure
that the first impression that you make is good. For this, here are some tips that
will help – depending on the setting and the situation, of course:
After you enter the interview room, close the door gently behind
you.
Glance at the interviewer with a smile of acknowledgement and
walk steadily to the chair provided for you.
Be prepared to shake hands if the interviewer initiates it.
Look the interviewer in the eye and smile. At a panel interview, do
the same with each interviewer as they are introduced. If their names are
mentioned, try to remember them, as you can impress them by using them
later.
Wait to be asked to sit down.
POSTURE
At an interview, you must adopt a posture that reflects interest and gives the
impression that you are relaxed and confident. The following are some non-
verbal characteristics that give a clue to the interviewer about your inner feelings.
You must be aware of them and avoid them at an interview.
If you sit with your back very stiff, or if you grip the arms of the chair
tightly, the interviewer can tell that you are nervous.
If you are restless, shifting about in your seat constantly, again, you
portray nervousness, boredom, irritation and impatience.
If you fidget, drum your fingers, tap your pencil, rock your chair, you
will indicate lack of interest and attention.
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If you sit sprawled in the chair with your legs crossed you could
give an impression of over-confidence or lack of interest.
If you have your hands folded tightly over your chest or stomach it
may indicate insecurity, tension, or an aggressive nature.
If you have your arms raised, with the hands placed behind the
head, it may signal superiority or over-confidence.
If you sit with legs crossed, it can indicate defensiveness.
In short, avoid shifting your posture (like swaying or wriggling in your seat), or
sitting too rigid. Choose a position that is comfortable; this will help you relax. At
the same time it should not look sloppy. Regardless of what kind of chair you are
offered, try to sit upright and lean forward slightly (this shows you are interested
and attentive. Avoid tugging at your clothes or playing with your fingers. Try to
stop your hands creeping into your pockets.
EYE CONTACT
Eye contact is crucial in an interview. It shows that you are confident and honest.
The following are some tips on eye contact:
Establish eye contact when you first meet the interviewer to
indicate acknowledgement.
Do not avoid the interviewer’s gaze.
Look the interviewer straight in the eye, but do not stare.
Maintain eye contact most of the time the interviewer is talking (this
shows you are being attentive), and periodically when you are talking (to
reinforce the communication).
When you are being interviewed by a panel, make eye contact with
each member, and watch the non-verbal communication among the
members. Try to identify the person on the panel who holds the most
important position and is worth making particular responses to.
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Remember that like your facial expression, eye contact is only an automatic
reflection of what you are feeling inside. If you are feeling relaxed and confident,
you will naturally show it in your eyes.
SHOWING SELF SONFIDENCE
Most interviews are also aimed to assess self-confidence, humility, and
intellectual honesty. It is also essential to display a feeling of self-confidence in
an interview. It is not possible to show confidence if in fact you are feeling
nervous. Thus it is necessary to feel confident at an interview. Overconfidence,
on the other hand does not appeal to anyone but only acts against you.
Confidence is shown by a firm and steady voice, and a relaxed manner and
posture.
In conclusion, one must watch one’s body language in a job interview. We must
send the proper signals of interest, attention and above all confidence. The
secret to cracking a job interview is to remain calm, feel confident, be honest,
and above all else, BE ONESELF.
THE END
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