Passage 2: Body Language: non-verbal communication

PASSAGE -2-

BODY LANGUAGE: NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Communication between people takes place in various ways. Most people think that the most popular way of communication is by speaking. What they don't know is that actual verbal communication, accounts for only 10% of a message. We really cannot determine the truthfulness or sincerity of people by what they say alone. Very often words transmitted verbally do not reflect what people really feel. The only way you can determine their true inner feelings is by reading their body language. It is difficult to question a person directly because even his/her replies may not indicate what s/he really feels or thinks. What then should we do?

Read his/her body movement and gestures. Here are some examples of non verbal behaviour and their interpretation.

Body Language during an Interview

When you appear for an interview it is important to remember that besides your resume you are going to be watched for the clothes that you wear and how you present yourself during the interview itself. After all before a word has even been spoken, your body language will have already given people their first impression of you. Based on your body language they would be able to assess if you come across as insecure or self assured. It can also show if you are an assertive or a quiet type of person. It helps give an impression whether you are speaking the truth or not. Body language can show if you are prone to stress or not. It can show others how enthusiastic you are and if you are a nice person, someone who will take work seriously and yet has a sense of humour. The committee may ask you a question but they will pay attention not only to what you say but also to how you say it. Body Language will determine whether you “Click”. Everybody uses body language but it takes place mostly at the subconscious level. By becoming more aware of your own body language and recognizing the body language of others you can definitely improve and increase your chances of getting the job.

During your job interview try to adopt a posture that shows interest but still comes across as being relaxed. You can do this by sitting up on the chair at the beginning of the interview with your back against your chair. If you slouch it might give the impression that you are not interested in the job. If you sit at the edge of a chair you come across as being tense and uncomfortable. You can change your body posture during the interview. For example, when someone says something, it is good to turn a little with your shoulders towards the speaker and to lean forward a little. This shows that you are talking interest in what the other person is saying. It is also important to pay attention to the posture of the person who is interviewing you.

Sometimes your hands are an obstacle during a job interview rather than a useful means of communication. In a difficult situation we fold our arms across our body. During a job interview it is better not to do this because it can be interpreted as a defensive gesture. It is better to let your hands lie on your lap or place them on the armrest of your chair. From these positions it is also easy to support your words with hand gestures. Hand movements also help to liven up the interview. It indicates that you feel at ease and you are relaxed. However, it is better not to make too many hand movements as it may be a distraction. Do pay attention to inadvertent movements that you may make sometimes due to nervousness. For example, shuffling your feet or kicking against the leg of a table can be very irritating to other people. Drumming with your fingers is also a distraction.

It is also important to show through your body language that you are listening to the people interviewing you. Looking directly into somebody's eyes or looking away actually serves as the dots and comas in your spoken sentences. When one of the committee members explains something or poses a question, keep looking at the person for as long as she/he is speaking. This shows that you are listening. When you answer a question you should look first at the person who asked the question, but while you answer you should take turns looking at the other people on the interview panel.

Success at the interview also comes from paying attention to the body language of the people interviewing you. Acceptance and irrigation of the panel can be noted through their body language. So do be conscious of the body language of the members of the interview panel.

To conclude, do remember that knowledge of body language can help you in many ways to improve your own body language during an interview. Keep yourself updated on issues relating to body language to make a success of your career and your life. 

Adapted from an article “Body Language During a Job Interview" by Frank van Mar Wijk. 

ACTIVITY-1

ACTIVITY-2

Use the following words in sentences so as to bring out their meaning