Body Language Can Make or Break a Job Interview

Are You Looking for a Job? You Have to Use Your Body

By Robert Ordona, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Savvy job seekers know how important choosing the right words is when communicating with prospective employers. But what about nonverbal communication?

"You could be saying how great you are, but your body could be giving your true feelings away," says Alison Craig, image consultant and author of Hello Job! How to Psych Up, Suit Up, & Show Up. Mark Bowden, author of Winning Body Language, agrees with Craig -- and with the highly regarded Mehrabian communication study, which found that if what's coming out of your mouth doesn't match what your body is saying, your audience is more likely to believe your body.

Here's some expert advice on how to effectively let your body do the talking in a job interview:

Making a Great Entrance

Craig and Bowden agree that the interview starts even before you get to the interview room."You don't know who could be in the parking lot with you, looking at you from a window or standing next to you in the elevator," says Craig. "Your body should tell anyone who might be watching that you're confident and calm. It's not the time to be frantically searching through your portfolio for printouts of your resume."

Show Your Good Side

Hiring managers often ask receptionists for their take on people who come to the office for interviews, so Bowden suggests letting them observe you without letting on that you know they're watching. "Sit with your profile to them," he says. "It makes them feel comfortable, and if they're comfortable, they're more likely to form a good impression."

Craig suggests trying to predict the direction your interviewer will come from, so you can sit facing that direction. It'll make the greeting more graceful.

First Impressions

While waiting, don't hunch your shoulders or tuck your chin into your chest, which will make you seem closed off. Sit with your back straight and your chest open -- signs that you're confident and assertive. "But don't take this to the extreme," cautions Bowen. "Elongating your legs or throwing your arm across the back of the chair can make you appear too comfortable, even arrogant."

Also, says Craig, don't have so much stuff on your lap that you're clumsily moving everything aside when you're called. You want to rise gracefully, without dropping things, so you can smoothly greet the person coming to get you.

Shake It -- Don't Break It

Job interviews mean handshakes -- so what are the secrets to the perfect handshake? The overly aggressive shake, or "death grip," as Craig calls it, can be as off-putting as the limp handshake, so practice with a friend before the interview to find the right balance.

You're going to be shaking with your right hand, so prepare by arranging your belongings on your left side. Offer your hand with the palm slightly up so that your interviewer's hand covers yours. "It's a sign that you're giving them status," says Bowden. And never cover the other person's hand with the hand you're not shaking with -- it can be interpreted as a sign of domination.

Important Steps

The walk to the interview is the perfect time to use body language. Always follow that person, whether the person is the hiring manager or an assistant, to show you understand the protocol. You're saying, 'I'm the job candidate, and you're the company representative -- I follow your lead.' Bowen adds that you should try to "mirror" that person's tempo and demeanor. "It shows you can easily fit into the environment," he says.

At the Interview Desk

In the interview room, it's OK to place a slim portfolio on the table, especially if you'll be presenting its contents, but put your other belongings on the floor beside you. Holding a briefcase or handbag on your lap will make you seem as though you're trying to create a barrier around yourself, cautions Craig.

Avoid leaning forward, which makes you appear closed off, Bowden says. Instead, he advises sitting up straight and displaying your neck, chest and stomach area -- to signal that you're open.

When gesturing with your hands, Craig says, you should always keep them above the desk and below the collarbone. "Any higher and you're going to appear frantic," she says.

Bowden advises that you keep your hands even lower, in what he calls the "truth plane" -- an area that fans out 180 degrees from your navel. "Gesturing from here communicates that you're centered, controlled and calm -- and that you want to help," he says.

It's fine to sit about a foot away from the table so that your gestures are visible, he says.

The Art of Departing

At the end of the interview, gather your belongings calmly, rise smoothly, smile and nod your head. If shaking hands with everyone in the room isn't convenient, at least shake hands with the hiring manager and the person who brought you to the interview space.

You may be tempted to try to read your interviewers' body language for signals about how the interview went, but don't, cautions Bowden -- because they're likely trained not to give away too much. "Don't allow any thoughts into your mind that may [cause you to] leave the interview in a negative way," he says.

Customize Your Cover Letter to the Ad

By Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert

Found the perfect job through an ad? Before you whisk off your resume and cover letter, study the ad to determine how your qualifications match the employer's requirements. Armed with this information, you can craft a cover letter that positions yourself as the ideal candidate.

For example, look at this sample job ad:
______________________

Outside Sales Rep

Our client, a fast-growing, Staten Island, NY-based software company has an opening for an outside sales professional.

Requirements:


* A minimum of 3 years' outside business-to-business experience selling enterprise software
* The ability to develop a list of prospects, build a pipeline of opportunities and close business
* A proven background working within a quota and exceeding sales targets
* Ability to demonstrate software and manage a complex sales cycle
* Strong verbal and written communication skills
* Availability to travel at least 50%
* Bachelor's degree preferred

Compensation:

* Competitive base salary plus commission and company car.
* Average first year income $85K+.
* Full benefits
* Quarterly sales contests

If you are a true sales hunter and an energetic self-starter with the desire to be part of a fast-growing software firm, submit your resume and cover letter to Brandon Marks at BMarks@somedomain.com. Reference #28903888.
______________________

A job posting’s Requirements section provides a roadmap you can address point-by-point in your cover letter to build your case to get called for the interview.

Let’s take a look at a cover letter, written by Susan, a fictional job seeker. See how she leverages information from the job posting, and then get to work on tailoring your own cover letters in similar ways -- the extra work can make a big difference in your job search.

How to handle a new boss

Written by Jeanne Calitz and published on 19 January 2009

How to handle a new boss During the course of your career, you are bound to land in the situation where your current boss is replaced with a new superior. Whether it is an internal shuffle or a new appointment from outside, chances are that the new boss will take some getting used to. Many employees are very resistant to this type of change, when it is actually a fine opportunity for you to create a great impression and to foster a beneficial working relationship with your new employer. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how to best approach the arrival of a new manager. Be smart Try to gather some information about your new boss beforehand. What is his background? What can you find out about past projects he has worked on, and past successes? What can you gather about his management style? Be prepared for change You can bet your boots that the new boss will want to change a few things. A new boss generally means new priorities and new ways of getting the job done. And of course, the boss will want to put his own stamp on the department or the organisation, so you can be sure that there will be some changes. Be prepared for this and keep an open mind with regards to any new developments. Be neutral The arrival of a new manager is bound to ruffle a few feathers. For example, say the previous manager left under less than friendly circumstances. Chances are there will still be some of his cronies around, ready to stir suspicion about the new arrival. Or perhaps there is someone within the firm who was coveting the newly filled position? Whatever the case may be, this is not the time for you to pick sides. Keep your opinions to yourself and do your job as best as you can. Be helpful and courteous This is a fine line to tread – you want to introduce yourself to the new manager, and to impress upon him that you are ready to get cracking. On the other side, you don’t want to come across as too eager, which tends to make people suspicious. Be friendly without laying it on too thick. Be proactive How does he want to communicate with his employees? Does he prefer face to face interaction, or would he rather you e-mail him with questions and feedback? How often does he want you to report back to him? How does he view the role of management? Does he want to be kept informed on every little detail in the office or about every project, or is he more concerned with bigger business imperatives? Is he a stickler for rules, regulations and proper administration – or does he advocate the use of initiative and experimenting? The best way to gather this kind of information is to simply meet with the boss and to ask him outright how he prefers to get the job done. Be an excellent employee When all is said and done, the best way to ensure a positive relationship with your new boss, is to make sure that the quality of your work is above reproach. Don’t fall into the trap of relying on past successes or on the reputation you built up before the new superior arrived. The new boss will be looking at what you are doing, he won’t be studying your past performance reviews in great detail. The key is to prove early on that you are dependable. It is recommended that you focus on quick successes and to keep your superior well informed thereof. Don’t sit around waiting for work to fall in your lap. Take the initiative to get involved when you hear of a new project that is coming up, or volunteer for small tasks that nobody else wants to do. It is also a good idea to keep your boss well-informed about what you are busy with at the moment, and how you are progressing. Furthermore: Be punctual, enthusiastic and on your best behaviour. Be clear An important step in creating an atmosphere of trust between you and your boss, is to meet with him as soon as possible. The goal of this meeting would be to clarify expectations. Ask your new superior to express his expectations of you. What does he want you to focus on? What does he want you to achieve? What is the career path he envisions for you within the firm? Also take the time to explain how you normally do things, the rationale behind that, and what your own expectations of this position are. Sources: Build a great working relationship with your boss – Peter Vogt, www.monster.career-advice.com. Dealing with a new boss – www.askmen.com. Secrets of Success with a new boss – Patricia Wallington, www.cio.com.

The importance of the cover letter

That tired old saying ‘first impressions last’ has never been more accurate than when it is applied to the use of a cover letter when applying for a position. In this day and age – given the fact that most communications happen over the internet via e-mail – lots of job seekers tend to think that the cover letter has become redundant. This could not be further from the truth. The reality is that while many recipients do skip reading the cover letter, most of them notice when it is not there. The result is an immediate impression that the job seeker does not really care for the job, otherwise he or she would have made the effort, right? The same goes for a sloppy and unoriginal cover letter – this one page introduction (which should include a snappy summary of why you would be perfect for the job, given your excellent track record) is the first glimpse the recruiter will see of you. A bad cover letter can completely ruin your chances of even getting an interview, much less the job. So, brush of those writing skills, and let’s get started. Some general advice: Before you start typing, it is advisable that you do your homework in two very important areas. Your first task will be to study the advertisement for the position in question in the smallest detail. It is crucial that you take a very good look at this job description, so that you can figure out exactly what the company wants from the suitable candidate. The second area where you need to do some research is finding out as much as you can about the company and its place in the industry. A little bit of research could take you a long way, especially if you can work some of your new found information about the firm into your letter. Say, for instance, the firm has opened a new branch in an area close to you – it would be beneficial to mention that you have taken a closer look at the new development (if indeed that is the case) and that you would be interested to see where it goes and how you could contribute to its success. A word on format Many a cover letter gets tossed because the applicant simply did not write the letter in a professional manner. For example, it is very important that you include your name and occupation, contact details and address in the letter. The best way forward is to use a standard business letter format. First off, start by addressing the person in question and stating which position you are applying for. Include a reference number if applicable – remember that big companies may be advertising a bunch of positions simultaneously. It is also a good idea to address the letter directly to the human resources manager, if you could fish out his or her name somehow. Introducing . . . Next on your list will be the introduction. This should consist of a brief paragraph, a sentence or two, in which you introduce yourself and describe your current occupation. Most importantly, your introduction should explain why you would be perfect for this job. Add some body Now we get to the interesting stuff. The body of your cover letter should amount to about two paragraphs in which you get to deliver your sales pitch. This is your chance to list – in bullet format if you want – your core competencies and achievements, and how you imagine this would be the ideal fit with the company’s requirements. Try to ensure that every item on your list corresponds directly to the company’s needs (as expressed in their advertisement). Remember to be as specific as possible. Don’t fall for the temptation of filling your cover letter with fluff. Try to provide concrete examples of your skills and of what you’ve achieved. In conclusion Be sure to end your cover letter on a positive, decisive note. For example, you could state that you hope to hear from the firm in question, seeing as you view it as a dynamic market leader (again, if that is indeed the case), and that you would value the opportunity to contribute to their success. And finally . . . For goodness sake, have someone with some language skills proof read your cover letter before you send it away. Don’t let spelling and grammar mistakes scuttle your chances.

What To Expect After An Interview

Candidates must realise that interviewers usually are not there to hire anybody immediately...

Do Not Expect To Be Hired On The Spot.
Candidates must realise that interviewers usually are not there to hire anybody immediately. They are only trying to make a screening decision to determine whether the company should talk with you further. By the end of the interview, most companies will try to spell out as clearly as possible what to expect next. (Whom any further action will come from and when.)

How Companies Tell You They Are Interested
Even when interviewers think a candidate is highly qualified, they will rarely promise anything because they canot be certain what their company might decide later. They may encourage you to try to build interest in working for the company, but they will not make promises. A candidate under active consideration can usually expect an invitation to a second interview, usually at a company location, or a request for more information within a short time.

How You Can Tell Them You Are Interested
If you have a strong interest in a company, you may write to the interviewer confirming that interest. You should mention the interviewer's name, time and date of the original interview, plus any important points discussed. Another good way to demonstrate interest in a company is to demonstrate knowledge of it. Candidates, especially those already invited to a second interview, should research the company on the web, read the annual report, company literature, and anything they can find about the company if they have not already.

How They Tell You "No!"
During an interview, it sometimes becomes obvious that a candidate's interests and a companys opportunities simply do not match. A good interviewer will frankly, but courteously tell the candidate, saving each party time.

In many cases, candidates who are not offered a job will be informed within a few weeks of the interview. In other cases, candidates may not receive any further correspondence unless a suitable position is identified before their date of availability.

A negative reply may dent your ego, but almost everybody hears a "No" or two before they land a job.

Source: Sunday Times

How To Conquer Rejection

Muhammad Ali said "A champion has to be able to take a good punch." And this is especially true for us when looking for a job...

And this is especially true for us when looking for a job. Not many of us have what it takes to make a champion boxer but in an aggressive, competitive economic environment job-hunters have to be able to "take a punch" emotionally and psychologically.

When we experience a set-back, whether it's just a cancelled appointment which we've spent hours preparing for; or going for 3 interviews to the same company, getting our hopes up and then losing out at the end; or perhaps having sent out 200 CVs without a reply - we need to find the strength, no matter how often it happens, to get up off the canvas and "fight another day". How? Here is one huge tip which will never fail you. Use it and see how much better you'll take that punch:

Fill Up Your Diary!
Avoid having all your hopes ride on one appointment, interview or opportunity. Stay busy meeting lots of people, network with friends, family and others in the community. This way there is never a black-hole ahead of you. Your full diary will be a positive reminder of the fact that there is hope elsewhere when the punch hits. And as long as you are talking to people, believe me, there is always hope. Who might have gone through a similar situation? Enlist their help and ask their advice.

There is a tendency (certainly in me) to want to crawl up and feel really sorry for oneself when a disappointment strikes. Staying busy with positive things is invariably a good remedy. Go for a run, re-organize your desk, set-up some more networking appointments. These are all good ways to bounce-back.

It's the age-old sales principle that should guide us: every "No" brings us closer to a "Yes". Build a pipeline of prospects and when one falls apart another one succeeds. So by staying busy and keeping our diary full we'll be able to take the punch.

Author: Gerard le Roux

CV Preparation

A CV is an advertisement of yourself and should portray only the best. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind...

Keep It Simple
Simple and concise, that is (two pages, maximum). Information should be factual and accurate. Work history should always be set out in chronological (date) order working backwards (starting with current or last position).

Avoid First Person
Don't use the word "I" in your CV or go into too much detail (for example "I was responsible for managing accounts for the administration department and I also carried out secretarial duties..." and so on). Rather list the duties in point form giving brief descriptions. This way is more succinct and professional looking.

Triple Check It (Twice)
Grammar and spelling should be absolutely correct. Anything less than faultless knocks points off immediately. Ensure that your CV is totally free of typos. Triple check it with a fine tooth comb. Get family members and friends to check it over for you too. Don't rely on your spell check facility as it picks up misspelled words only and not typos. For example, you may have typed you instead of your which spell check will not identify. Name, address, telephone numbers, post codes etc. of the company to which you are applying should be carefully checked to ensure that details are accurate. Double check tricky names, for example McDonald (Macdonald?), etc.

Back Your Facts
If you're going to summarise aspects of your experience, make sure that you back them up in your work history. For example, a statement such as "Computerised Bookkeeping" in the summary should also be detailed as one of your work responsibilities such as: Managed accounts to trial balance using Pastel.

Other Tips

• Your CV should be flexible. Keep it on your hard drive or a stiffy disk (if you don't have your own computer) so that you can tailor it to suit different jobs. Develop the art of minimising skills and experience not applicable and highlighting those which match the position you're after.
• If you've little or no work experience be sure to include information relating to school or community involvement which may show skills such as leadership, teamwork etc.
• Include as many contact numbers as you can. Fax numbers and email addresses are always useful to have on a CV. If you don't have a fax number or email address, ask a friend who has one if you can use it, or use a fax receiving service.

Author: Lee Currie

Lee Currie is a freelance journalist who also writes and publishes training manuals. Ms Currie is a certified resume writer (Professional Resume Writer's Association, USA ) and has spent two years managing a resume writing service in Canada.

For more information visit www.cvsthenewway.co.za.