Eye Contact is the Most Telling Nonverbal Cue at Interviews
Toronto, ON -- When it comes to landing a job, what you say to a prospective employer may sometimes be less important than how you say it. In a recent survey by staffing firm OfficeTeam, senior managers said 17 per cent of candidates display negative body language during interviews.
Respondents identified eye contact as the most telling nonverbal cue when meeting with applicants, rating it a 4.41 on a scale of one to five (with five indicating the highest significance). This was followed by both posture and handshake, which tied at 4.26.
Senior managers were asked, “On a scale of one (not much) to five (a lot), how much do the following nonverbal cues tell you about a candidate during an interview?” Their responses:
|
Eye contact |
4.41 |
|
Posture |
4.26 |
|
Handshake |
4.26 |
|
Hand gestures |
4.15 |
|
Facial expressions |
4.14 |
|
Fidgeting/habitual movements |
4.09 |
What Are You Really Saying During Job Interviews?
According to senior managers, 17% of candidates display negative nonverbal cues during interviews.
On a scale of 1 (not much) to 5 (a lot), how much do the following nonverbal cues tell you about a candidate during an interview?
| 4.41 Eye contact |
| 4.26 Posture |
| 4.26 Handshake |
| 4.15 Hand gestures |
| 4.14 Facial expressions |
| 4.09 Fidgeting/habitual movements |
Source: OfficeTeam survey of 300 senior managers in Canada
© 2017 OfficeTeam. A Robert Half Company.
“While being able to verbally express your skills and experience is an essential part of a successful interview, candidates must also be aware of the lasting impression their body language can leave,” said Koula Vasilopoulos, a district president for OfficeTeam.
“The way that you carry yourself should reflect your enthusiasm for the position, and project an engaged, confident and professional attitude.”
OfficeTeam offers job seekers five tips for putting their best body language forward during interviews:
- Get hands-on. Aim for a handshake that’s firm, but doesn’t crush the recipient. Limit the duration to a few seconds.
- Break out of that slump. Subtly mirror the interviewer’s body language and posture. Sit up straight and lean forward slightly to show engagement and confidence.
- Put on a happy face. A genuine smile demonstrates warmth and enthusiasm. Conduct a mock interview with a friend to find out if you’re unwittingly sending negative nonverbal cues.
- Keep your eyes on the prize. Maintain regular eye contact during the meeting, but look away occasionally. Staring may be perceived as aggressive.
- Don’t fidget. Resist the urge to shake your legs, tap your fingers or twirl your pen. It’s fine to use hand gestures, as long as they’re not distracting. Keep your arms uncrossed to appear more open and receptive.
About the Research
The survey was developed by OfficeTeam and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from more than 300 senior managers at companies with 20 or more employees in Canada.
About OfficeTeam
OfficeTeam, a Robert Half company, is the nation’s leading staffing service specializing in the temporary placement of highly skilled office and administrative support professionals. The company has 300 locations worldwide. For additional information, visit roberthalf.ca/officeteam. Follow @RobertHalf_CAN on Twitter and the OfficeTeam Take Note® blog at roberthalf.com/officeteam/blog for career and management advice.
For further information contact: Naz Araghian, (416) 865-2140, [email protected]