Latin, it’s all Greek to me…but everyone understands body language.
Nowadays we have more ways than ever of communicating. Radio transmission verbal, e-mail, mobile phone, text, satellite to mention a few. There is one way of communicating that hasn’t changed. It’s a silent type of communication skill that is equally important. In fact a lot of this particular way of communicating hasn’t changed in hundreds perhaps thousands of years. I’m talking about body language of course. One of the leading proponents of body language, Allan Pease, really speaks to me when he puts it this way…“Charlie Chaplin and many other silent movie actors were the pioneers of non-verbal communication skills;
they were the only means of communication available on the screen.”
Allan Pease
Luckily when you attend an interview you don’t have to do mimes/charades to get your point through. So what part does body language play in an interview?
Plenty!!!!
Before a word is spoken your clothing, grooming and body language send a powerful message to the interviewer. Your posture, smile and handshake are part of your body language and are an important factor in your overall first impressions.
My body doesn’t mean what I am saying (incongruency)
It is possible to say one thing while sending a completely different message to the interviewer with your body language. For example telling the panel that you are a
motivated individual while leaning forward with your head on the table and yawning is probably not going to convince them. Similarly, sitting on the edge of the chair wringing your hands while telling them that you are a serene, meditative person may send the opposite message to what you are saying.
For this reason, it is important to realise that what you say with your words should be matched with what you say with your posture. Make sure you lean slightly forward on your chair and look interested.
If you don’t believe body language is relevant, then consider the Cathay Pacific cocktail party where your interaction with each other and company management during the course of the evening is observed.
Drawing the interviewer to you
By leaning forward slightly and nodding as you speak you support and add meaning to your words. By tilting your head slightly and looking at the person talking to you, you show interest in what the person is saying. These two techniques are very effective in drawing the interviewer towards you. In day-to-day social conversation your interest level will wax and wane. The same occurs, to a lessor degree, during the interview. Using this technique will help you stay focused and in control of your listening and response skills.
Be aware that body language also applies to the interview panel. If they shake their heads, sigh or fold their arms, this may be a sign of their displeasure at your response.
If you are nervous and feel that your body language is conveying that then tell them, “After all the study and effort that I put in I am surprised I am so nervous.”
By telling the panel that you are nervous will often make them more empathetic towards you. Be prepared for a statement, “that’s OK it’s really just an opportunity to get to know you and then ask a couple of tech questions”, following this
There is much more to body language but if you understand the importance of good posture, being interested and alert then you are on the right track and for that reason I will not spend any more time on it. Just be aware that it can be a factor for not getting the job if you do not pay attention to it. If you want to know more see the recommended book resources (page 101).
In an interview I attended, I experienced first hand the importance of body language.
The interview room consisted of four panel members who were seated behind a table. Beside them seated at a table were two psychologists. Their table was placed at right angles to the front table and formed an ‘L’ shape. The candidate was seated between them facing the four panel members. In effect you were out in the open. This layout was deliberate and allowed the psychologists full view of you and your body language (because there was no table present at the applicants chair) while the interview was in process.
6.2.1. The Handshake
Does a handshake really matter? Think back to the last time you got a limp handshake or a bone crusher. What impression did it make on you? Was it distracting? Disgusting? Shocking? Whatever your reaction, you probably weren't feeling positive about the other person.
What a sloppy handshake says about the person behind the hand is that he or she just doesn't have things together. And if you're the sloppy shaker, you're telling the client, boss, or interviewer that you have problems. That conclusion can lead him to make a subconscious decision that he doesn't want to do business with you — or that you won't make a good representative of his company.
On a Personal Note
The handshake is the physical greeting that accompanies a verbal greeting.
Because the handshake is used universally in business, knowing when to shake hands and how to shake hands confidently is vital.
Getting the right form
What is a proper handshake? The act seems so simple, yet people get confused over how to do it.
Not shaking hands is a very clear form of rejection and is extremely insulting to the other person. In Australia and most western cultures, you're expected to offer a firm handshake and make eye contact at the same time. A firm handshake with good eye contact communicates self-confidence.
Be mindful that different cultures have different boundaries. In Asia and the Middle East the grip is much gentler. A firm grip could be interpreted as aggressive.
An appropriate handshake begins at the introduction:
1. Extend your hand and grip the other person's hand so that the webs of your thumbs meet.
2. Shake just a couple of times. The motion is from the elbow, not the shoulder.
3. End the handshake cleanly, before the introduction is over.
Important Tip #11 To shake or not to shake…
Important Tip #12 Name Tags CAUTION
If you're wearing a name tag, place it close to your right shoulder because that's where a person's eye naturally wanders when shaking hands.
If you want to count, a good handshake is held for three or four seconds and the hands gently pumped two or three times; no more. Shaking hands can be awkward in some situations. Should you be introduced to someone when your hands are full, carrying files or other packages, don't try to rearrange everything.
Simply nod your head as you respond to the introduction.
Understanding the protocol of handshaking
When someone makes an introduction, always remember to stand (if you're seated at the time) so that you can shake hands on an even level. That goes for women as well.
6.2.2. The Jacket
At the commencement of the interview I was often told to “feel free to take your jacket off”.
Arthur Caruana, former Sydney Flight Operations Manager for Regional Express, suggests that you take a moment to notice whether the panel have their coats on or off and to follow suit. (No pun intended)
6.2.3. The Mobile
Yes people actually do answer them during the interview. (They don’t get the job) Important tip #13
Coat on or coat off?
Important tip #14
Mobile Telephone – Turn it OFF
6.2.4. Time Keeping
I haven’t mentioned it yet, so now is a good time. Make sure you know where you have to go and allow plenty of time. It is OK to turn up 15-20 minutes early no sooner (waiting can be a daunting experience).
As a pilot you are expected to have a good grasp of the importance of time. Not only because of the requirement to meet your ‘position reports’, but also its effect on your passengers and meeting company scheduled flights.
The bottom line is DO NOT BE LATE!
Research shows that this goes against the candidate.
At one interview I was particularly nervy. I really wanted the job and was really keen. After I answered each question, I would ask the panel, “Does that answer your question?” Needless to say I didn’t get the job and, as much as I hate to admit it, they were right on the money. When I had allowed myself twenty four hours of misery, I collected my thoughts and gave myself an honest appraisal. I realised that, had I been on the other side of the interview panel, having the candidate ask “Does that answer your question?” each time would have had me wondering if the candidate was uncertain about either the context of the question or the suitability of the answer – maybe lacking in confidence. I could have said anything and they would have agreed with me!!!!
A good interviewer will let you hang yourself. They’re not trying to be nasty or mean, they simply want to get a look at the person they
Important tip #15 To be or not to be …late
CAUTION
On a Personal Note
Don’t talk yourself out of the job. (Control the urge to let out too much information. Answer the question and only the question.)
Note:
You are a major investment. Spend some time and have a think about what it costs to train you. Try to look at your employment from the companies’ point of view.
All good interview panels will make allowances for nerves.
Remember that simply by the airline asking you to attend the interview you are being give the message, “We consider you of such a standard that all that stands between you and employment with us is... you!!”
I’ll leave the last word to Captain Andrew Wilder. “If you want something badly enough you will be nervous…accept that, if your not nervous you probably don’t want the job.”