Lesson 21 — Activity 1: Non-Verbal Communication
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Lesson 21 — Activity 1: Non-Verbal Communication
If you have worked hard to search for a job, filled out application forms, and sent out your résumé and cover letter, you may be asked to come for a job interview with an employer.
As you learned earlier in this course, non-verbal communication is a very important part of communication. This is very true in job interviews. Employers may learn as much about you from your non-verbal behaviour as they do from the conversation they have with you.
Consider these important pieces of advice about non-verbal communication when you are preparing for job interview.
As you learned earlier in this course, non-verbal communication is a very important part of communication. This is very true in job interviews. Employers may learn as much about you from your non-verbal behaviour as they do from the conversation they have with you.
Consider these important pieces of advice about non-verbal communication when you are preparing for job interview.
1. Personal Appearance
- You should know enough about the place you want to work at to have a good idea about the "dress code" that they require. You will present a good first impression if you dress in the manner you expect the person interviewing you to be dressed. As well, you should be sure that you take extra care with your personal grooming so you look neat and clean. When you meet the employer or have an interview, you should avoid drinking coffee, smoking, chewing gum, eating, or doing any other distracting activities that make you look as though you would rather be doing something else.
2. Time
- If you want to show you are interested in the job, you should be 10 or 15 minutes early — and definitely not late! It is a good idea to time how long it takes to get to the interview location a few days before the interview. Then you will know how to get there without getting lost and so you can plan for any potential traffic delays. Do not rush through the interview. Be sure to allow extra time in case the interviewers are behind schedule or in case they want to spend extra time reviewing your résumé or talking with you.
3. Personal Space
- You want to appear confident but not pushy, so be respectful of the interviewer's personal space by not sitting too near or too far away. The interviewer will likely offer you a place to sit. Do not sit until the employer has asked you to do so.
- You can help yourself to appear more confident and comfortable in the job interview if you stand and sit tall and straight. You also want to offer a handshake, which you can practise with a friend before the interview.
- While you do not want to stare or be rude by overdoing eye contact, you want the interviewer to know that you are listening to what is being said. A good way to do this is to focus on the interviewer and look at him or her when you are answering questions. Sometimes you may be interviewed by more than one person at the same time. If so, try to make eye contact with all the people present. However, focus mainly on the one who is speaking or whose question you are answering.