Nonverbal Communication Says a Lot: Part II, Employer

Nonverbal communication is an important part of the interview process for a job opening. It says a lot about the job candidate, which is why the employer needs to know what to look for and how to interpret the nonverbal communication. Knowing what signs to look for during a job interview will help the employer get a strong feel for the candidate and whether or not they are right for the company.

 

The Common Signs

Every interviewer knows of the common nonverbal communication signs to look out for when meeting a new candidate. These include a firm handshake, strong eye contact, a smile and good posture. These common signs are usually practiced by job candidates so they get it right on the day of the interview, especially if they get overly nervous when interviewing for jobs.

 

Nervous Ticks

Many job candidates cannot handle the nerves associated with an interview, which can lead to some nervous ticks shining through during the meeting. These candidates could begin to sweat, their hands could shake, their eyes could blink rapidly, the might stumble over their words and they might even struggle with a high-pitched voice. Make sure you do not judge these candidates too quickly. Even though you might think they are trying to deceive you with their answers, it could just be their nerves showing through.

 

Perform a Walkabout

A walkabout is an excellent way to analyze the reactions of job candidates when meeting various employees at your company. This should occur at the end of the interview as you walk them towards the front door of the office. Introduce the candidate to three different levels of employees and monitor their reaction to each situation.

You should be looking for the following items when performing the walkabout:

  • Does the candidate shake hands with the employee? Does he or she make eye contact for too long? Do they come across as being comfortable meeting these various employees?
  • Does the candidate appear to have the traits and attitude required for the position he or she is interviewing for with the company?
  • Try to watch how the employees interact with the candidate and how the candidate’s behaviors affect those he or she meets during the walkabout.

The walkabout is very important to the interview process because it cannot be rehearsed or practiced by the job candidate. You will be seeing their natural nonverbal communication responses to new situations.

Speak with an experienced staffing professional from Halpin Personnel today to discuss your staffing needs.

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