7 Ways of Decoding Non-Verbal Behaviors of Interviewees

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7 Ways of Decoding Non-Verbal Behaviors of
Interviewees
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According to a study conducted by College
Journal, interviews constitute 55 of body
language, 7 verbal communication and 38
paralanguage. These statistics prove that
non-verbal communication is not just essential,
but exceptionally vital to ace the process. They
say that answering all the questions while
effectively selling yourself in the interview can
fetch you the job. But little do people know that
merely answering the questions is never enough to
get you hired. While it is imperative to
articulate properly, an interview comprises of
several other aspects as well which can make a
world of a difference between pass and fail. And
this is where non-verbal cues come into the
picture.
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• With the advancement in technology, the life of
  recruiters has become somewhat easier with the
  introduction of video interviews. The great thing
  about this form of interview is that it provides
  a convenience to the recruiters as well as the
  candidates to stay at remote locations and still
  complete the interview process. It is a very
  user-friendly way of conducting interviews and is
  not at all costly. You only need a good internet
  connection, a working PC and a webcam.
• Recruiters often look for different non-verbal
  cues to determine whether a candidate is an ideal
  match for the vacant position in the organization
  irrespective of the type of interview conducted.
  This is no different in a video interview. If you
  have been a part of the recruitment world since
  the last decade chances are you might have gained
  mastery in observing the non-verbal cues during
  the interview process. But, if you are new in
  this field and want to decode the different
  non-verbal cues pertaining to candidates during
  the interview process then this blog has been
  written just for you. Without wasting any more
  time, let us now look at the different non-verbal
  cues to decode during a video interview

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Body Posture

• By observing the body posture of the candidate
  you can have a fair idea about how the candidate
  feels about the conversation taking place. If you
  observe slouching it can be an indicator that the
  candidate lacks confidence and respect for you.
  If the candidate is leaning forward while
  speaking with you, it indicates that he/she is
  interested in the conversation. In case, if
  he/she leans back in the chair it would indicate
  that he/she is totally disengaged during the
  conversation.
• If the candidate is sitting on the chairs edge
  and leaning forward it shows that he/she is
  totally eager and interested in whatever is being
  said. If he/she leans backward on the chair it
  usually means negative while if he/she suddenly
  leans back it may show that they are getting
  defensive while listening to your question.
• Even shoulder movements can help you to know
  whether the candidate is positive or negative
  during the video interview. If a candidate
  answers your question with the help of flamboyant
  words but remains stiff or moves only a single
  shoulder, it can indicate that he/she is either
  lying or uncertain about his/her answer.

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Poor Eye Contact

• This non-verbal cue is obviously useful when you
  are having a one-on-one video interview live with
  the candidate. If the candidate looks into your
  eyes directly while answering the question it can
  indicate honesty and high confidence. In case the
  candidate is looking somewhere else while
  answering your question it can indicate either
  lack of concentration or trust. If the candidate
  is looking into your eyes constantly it can be
  considered to be a rude behavior. While in case
  they look away for a moment when trying to think
  or remember something it is a natural thing.
• The next time you plan to conduct video interview
  on candidates do remember to practically decode
  the non-verbal cues described in this blog. Who
  knows you will thank us for giving you such a
  valuable piece of information to make the right
  hiring decision.

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Fidgeting In Seat

• Much like how playing with your hair, nails, or
  jewelry is distracting, moving around in your
  seat detracts from the power of your words. If
  you notice a candidate delivers a response while
  twirling in their chair, take this nonverbal
  behavior into consideration. Think about the
  impression theyd give off should you bring them
  on client meetings or ask them to interface with
  high-powered executives within your company.

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Using Too Many Hand Gestures

• Many people talk with their hands without fully
  realizing it, but going overboard with hand
  gestures makes it hard to focus on the message
  the person is delivering. A few hand motions for
  emphasis every now and then is acceptable, but it
  shouldnt become distracting.

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Failure To Smile

• A job interview should be taken seriously, of
  course, but that doesnt mean that smiling is
  forbidden. You want a candidate who seems
  genuinely excited and enthusiastic about the
  opportunity in front of them. One way to
  determine this is by looking for someone who
  answers their video interview questions with a
  warm, natural smile.

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Fiddling With Hair, Nails, or Jewelry

• As common nervous habits, you might see
  applicants tucking hair behind ears, twisting
  rings around their fingers, playing with
  necklaces, or picking at their nails. They may be
  unaware of these tics, which can signal a lack of
  self-confidence. These issues may go away should
  this person land the job and become more
  comfortable with you. However, they could be
  damaging if the individual is in a client-facing
  role and will continue to find themselves in
  high-pressure situations where they need to make
  a positive impact right away.

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Mirroring

• It is natural human psychology to subconsciously
  mirror movements and mannerisms of their opposite
  person while having a conversation. This makes
  them feel that they can be easily trustable. For
  example if you are smiling while asking a
  particular question or crossing your arms while
  asking the question and the candidate repeats
  that gesture it means that they are trying to
  create a good impression on you. But, there is a
  catch in this situation. If they are doing it on
  purpose it can indicate that they are trying to
  manipulate you. So, watch out for this non-verbal
  cue properly while conducting a video interview.
• Learning how to decode body language makes the
  video interview process more informative for
  those looking to add to their team. Watch out for
  these interview red flags and youll be able to
  make a thoughtful hiring decision that ensures
  this new team member is part of your staff for
  the long-haul.

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