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Do You Know What The Hiring Interviewer Is Really Thinking 
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As
the candidate in a job interview, you�re aware that you�re being
assessed for competence, confidence and candor. But what about the
interviewer? Is he or she being totally upfront with you?
Here
are 10 clues that will tell you what the interviewer really thinks:
- If the
interviewer says he "could go on talking with you all day," but his
feet are pointed toward the door, he�s really telling you that he is
finished with the interview.
If
someone is sitting with ankles crossed and legs stretched forward, they
are probably feeling positively toward you. But when you see feet
pulled away from you or wrapped in a tight ankle lock or wrapped around
the legs of a chair, you would be wise to suspect withdrawal and
disengagement. And if they are pointed at the exit, it�s a sure signal
they are ready to be elsewhere.
- If the
interviewer begins to mimic your gestures, she feels you are a kindred
spirit and you�re likely to get her stamp of approval.
When
talking with someone we like or are interested in, we subconsciously
synchronize our body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and rate of
speech to match that of the other person � mirroring that person�s
nonverbal behavior and signaling that we are connected and engaged.
- If the
interviewer shrugs one shoulder as he tells you about the company�s
great work environment, it�s probably not that great.
A
partial (abridged) shoulder shrug usually indicates that a person lacks
conviction about what he is saying.
- If the
interviewer says she's not sure you're right for the job, but keeps
glancing at your resume, she's sending a strong signal that she is
interested.
In
general, people tend to look longer and with more frequency at objects
they are drawn to. The interviewer may be trying to appear
noncommittal, but her eyes will keep returning to the object that
attracts her. If, in addition, you see her eyes open wider or her
pupils dilate, you know for certain that she has a much greater
interest in your resume (and you) than she is letting on.
- If you ask
when you'll know if you got the job, and he replies, "Um, uh, er . . .
soon," you'll never hear from him again.
For
most people, the act of lying is stressful. One of the signs of stress
is the use of verbal hesitations and false starts.
- If the
interviewer tilts her head as you�re speaking, she wants to hear more.
The
head tilt is a universal gesture of �giving the other person an ear.�
It is a signal that someone is interested, curious and involved in what
you are saying.
- If the
interviewer�s handshake is offered palm down, he is showing that he
feels superior.
People who offer a sideways hand to shake send a nonverbal
message of
equality. But when someone offers his hand with the palm faced
downwards (or twists his hand downward during the handshake) it sends a
message of superiority � a nonverbal sign that he literally feels he
has the upper hand.
- If the
interviewer�s entire body -- head, shoulders, hips and feet � is
oriented toward you, she is totally engrossed and focused on you.
When
people are engaged, they will face you directly, �pointing� at you with
their whole body. However, the instant they feel uncomfortable, they
will pull back or angle their upper body away � giving you �the cold
shoulder.�
- If the
interviewer suddenly sits up straighter and takes a deep breath, he is
excited about the possibility of hiring you.
One
way that people show their emotions is by shifts in the chest. The
heart, brain, and nervous system are so closely interlocked that you
can often tell whether someone is happy or depressed by simply
observing how he breathes. When people are excited and happy, they fill
up with those good feelings. Look for a sudden upper body shift --
usually upward and forward -- and a big inhalation.
- If the
interviewer uses expansive, welcoming gestures that seem to flow
naturally, she is already embracing you as a likely candidate.
When
someone reaches toward you or uses a lot of open-hand gestures, it is
usually a positive signal of engagement and receptivity. By contrast,
people who are defensive or angry may protectively fold their arms
across their chests, clench their fists or tightly grip their arm or
wrist.
By
the way: If the interviewer stops in the middle of your conversation to
practice golf swings (yes, it's happened), there is absolutely no
chance that you will ever be offered a position with that company!
About the AuthorCarol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D. is a keynote speaker,
leadership presence
coach and media expert on body language in the workplace.
She�s the author of "The Silent Language of Leaders: How Body Language
Can Help - or Hurt - How You Lead.�
[email protected]
www.CarolKinseyGoman.com
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Article Published/Sorted/Amended on Scopulus 2016-07-15 16:18:37 in Business Articles
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