ABC of Body Language
19 October 2012
Read by 2097 persons
First impressions are crucial. Generally, the impression a candidate makes on a recruiter doesn't depend so much on what they say, but rather on their behavior, their attitude, therefore how they present themselves and their charisma. Gestures and facial expressions are important "sympathy vectors".
The pistol transforms into a porcupine. First, the young woman puts her hands together on her knees, her index fingers placed parallel to each other, forming a pistol. Then she also spreads the other fingers, the palms of the hands remaining joined - this is a porcupine. For Viennese pantomime artist Samy Molcho, who has been training managers in the principles of body language for 30 years, these two gestures express mistrust and defensiveness. Shortly before the end of her probationary period, the young recruit must prepare a new presentation at a trade fair. She is apprehensive, although her superior presents the task as a great opportunity. The young woman is right: the project entails many extra hours - unpaid, of course.
It is by showing this type of scene in his workshops that Molcho highlights how much the body "speaks" as soon as a person opens their mouth. "Body language is the key to everything we sell," he declares.
Shining from the inside out
"Body language can be learned," says Samy Molcho, convinced, "provided it goes hand in hand with the individual's inner attitude and ideology." Simply kissing the frog won't turn it into a prince. Transposed to the situation of job applicants, this means that body language training is only the second step, the first being that the person becomes aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, the experiences they have had, and the goals they have set for themselves. Molcho advises candidates to imagine that they are "not presenting themselves to the recruiter to get something, but that they are going to the company to offer something, namely their performance, their skills and abilities, their talents and their diligence."
If you go to the job interview with confidence, you've almost won! However, it shouldn't be forgotten that the packaging must match the content; otherwise, candidates are not "authentic." It goes without saying that verbally formulated lies should also be avoided, reminds Sabine Mühlisch, a consultant and trainer in Cologne, Germany: "Any omission, however unconscious, will be conveyed by your body. In this way, anyone trying to say something using only their body without being inwardly convinced will be discovered."
Attention to attire!
Body language training does not aim to teach participants to perform feats of dramatic art, but to teach them to become self-aware and self-controlled, important skills for that famous "first impression" during a job interview. Recruiters unconsciously sense, in less than 150 milliseconds, whether a candidate is likeable or not, psychologists have discovered. "Keeping your cool" is a skill that can be learned: straighten your back, hold your head high and straight, smile.
Then make a dynamic entrance: "When you enter a room, don't shyly remain stuck on the doorstep. The person in the room would get the impression that you would rather flee," says Monika Matschnig, a trainer in Neufahrn near Munich and author of several manuals on body language and self-marketing. "Take a few steps into the room, orient yourself quickly, then head towards your goal with a decisive step, whether it's a seat or a person." The length of the steps should correspond to the person's height, the speed should be "normal." In Germany, Switzerland, and France, it is customary to shake hands with your interlocutor, without crushing it. Sit comfortably, without being too relaxed. Place your hands, slightly crossed, on the table, insofar as this can be done without having to lean too far forward. Otherwise, place your hands on your thighs. Once you have followed this little "staging," the job interview can begin.
Set your alarm
In the next phase of the interview, the attention of both interlocutors shifts from non-verbal to verbal information. However, a discerning interlocutor immediately notices when a candidate who started well "falls out of character" and reverts to their usual behavioral patterns. This is why trainers recommend, for example, each time a new subject is raised, to use an "imaginary alarm clock" which, if necessary, "calls to order" in terms of posture and concentration.
This helps to correct contradictory body signals, one of the most frequent sources of error. A candidate who claims to be "open" and who makes a fist with their fingers is not very credible," explains Monika Matschnig.
Hidden signals and their meaning
Eyes, face
A gaze that sweeps the room shows insecurity or lack of interest. Maintain eye contact, without staring. Avoid frowning and wide eyes. Smile.
Upper body
Adopt an upright posture, leaning slightly forward: this will show your open-mindedness and commitment. If the interview atmosphere is particularly pleasant, you can lean back slightly without adopting too relaxed a posture.
Arms
When greeting, when shaking hands with your interlocutor, get close enough to avoid stiff arms; this would create an unpleasant distance. Crossing your arms in front of your chest expresses opposition, defense, or insecurity - or all three at once. Ideally, place your hands relaxed on the table or your thighs.
Hands
Fluid and well-measured gestures can emphasize what you are saying. Don't wave your hands or arms, don't make threatening gestures (e.g., pointing). Don't touch your face (this would indicate stress).
Legs
Position your legs side by side. Don't spread your legs; this is not well-mannered. Don't stay fixed in your posture; change positions from time to time, but don't fidget. Don't fidget or twist your legs around the legs of your chair: this is a sign of confrontation or refusal.
Christoph Steh.
Monster.ch
Posted October 19, 2012.
The pistol transforms into a porcupine. First, the young woman puts her hands together on her knees, her index fingers placed parallel to each other, forming a pistol. Then she also spreads the other fingers, the palms of the hands remaining joined - this is a porcupine. For Viennese pantomime artist Samy Molcho, who has been training managers in the principles of body language for 30 years, these two gestures express mistrust and defensiveness. Shortly before the end of her probationary period, the young recruit must prepare a new presentation at a trade fair. She is apprehensive, although her superior presents the task as a great opportunity. The young woman is right: the project entails many extra hours - unpaid, of course.
It is by showing this type of scene in his workshops that Molcho highlights how much the body "speaks" as soon as a person opens their mouth. "Body language is the key to everything we sell," he declares.
Shining from the inside out
"Body language can be learned," says Samy Molcho, convinced, "provided it goes hand in hand with the individual's inner attitude and ideology." Simply kissing the frog won't turn it into a prince. Transposed to the situation of job applicants, this means that body language training is only the second step, the first being that the person becomes aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, the experiences they have had, and the goals they have set for themselves. Molcho advises candidates to imagine that they are "not presenting themselves to the recruiter to get something, but that they are going to the company to offer something, namely their performance, their skills and abilities, their talents and their diligence."
If you go to the job interview with confidence, you've almost won! However, it shouldn't be forgotten that the packaging must match the content; otherwise, candidates are not "authentic." It goes without saying that verbally formulated lies should also be avoided, reminds Sabine Mühlisch, a consultant and trainer in Cologne, Germany: "Any omission, however unconscious, will be conveyed by your body. In this way, anyone trying to say something using only their body without being inwardly convinced will be discovered."
Attention to attire!
Body language training does not aim to teach participants to perform feats of dramatic art, but to teach them to become self-aware and self-controlled, important skills for that famous "first impression" during a job interview. Recruiters unconsciously sense, in less than 150 milliseconds, whether a candidate is likeable or not, psychologists have discovered. "Keeping your cool" is a skill that can be learned: straighten your back, hold your head high and straight, smile.
Then make a dynamic entrance: "When you enter a room, don't shyly remain stuck on the doorstep. The person in the room would get the impression that you would rather flee," says Monika Matschnig, a trainer in Neufahrn near Munich and author of several manuals on body language and self-marketing. "Take a few steps into the room, orient yourself quickly, then head towards your goal with a decisive step, whether it's a seat or a person." The length of the steps should correspond to the person's height, the speed should be "normal." In Germany, Switzerland, and France, it is customary to shake hands with your interlocutor, without crushing it. Sit comfortably, without being too relaxed. Place your hands, slightly crossed, on the table, insofar as this can be done without having to lean too far forward. Otherwise, place your hands on your thighs. Once you have followed this little "staging," the job interview can begin.
Set your alarm
In the next phase of the interview, the attention of both interlocutors shifts from non-verbal to verbal information. However, a discerning interlocutor immediately notices when a candidate who started well "falls out of character" and reverts to their usual behavioral patterns. This is why trainers recommend, for example, each time a new subject is raised, to use an "imaginary alarm clock" which, if necessary, "calls to order" in terms of posture and concentration.
This helps to correct contradictory body signals, one of the most frequent sources of error. A candidate who claims to be "open" and who makes a fist with their fingers is not very credible," explains Monika Matschnig.
Hidden signals and their meaning
Eyes, face
A gaze that sweeps the room shows insecurity or lack of interest. Maintain eye contact, without staring. Avoid frowning and wide eyes. Smile.
Upper body
Adopt an upright posture, leaning slightly forward: this will show your open-mindedness and commitment. If the interview atmosphere is particularly pleasant, you can lean back slightly without adopting too relaxed a posture.
Arms
When greeting, when shaking hands with your interlocutor, get close enough to avoid stiff arms; this would create an unpleasant distance. Crossing your arms in front of your chest expresses opposition, defense, or insecurity - or all three at once. Ideally, place your hands relaxed on the table or your thighs.
Hands
Fluid and well-measured gestures can emphasize what you are saying. Don't wave your hands or arms, don't make threatening gestures (e.g., pointing). Don't touch your face (this would indicate stress).
Legs
Position your legs side by side. Don't spread your legs; this is not well-mannered. Don't stay fixed in your posture; change positions from time to time, but don't fidget. Don't fidget or twist your legs around the legs of your chair: this is a sign of confrontation or refusal.
Christoph Steh.
Monster.ch
Posted October 19, 2012.
