Introduction – Job Interviews
The authors of this article live and work in Melbourne, Australia in a major IT Recruitment Company, ADAPS. This article was created to rectify issues that our Client Managers experience with candidates who seem to have great technical skills but present poorly in interview situations.
This article accompanies other articles on TechCareers called Living and Working in Australia, as well as Behavioral Interview Techniques and Resume Tips. ADAPS aim is to expand our search (internationally) for highly skilled IT Professionals interested in moving to Australia for high paying IT contracts.
Job Interview - Body Language and Image in Interviews for Technical Professionals
After all your effort in selecting the right role and sending off your brilliant cover letter and resume comes the time for the actual interview.
Our industry leading IT Client Managers (recruiters) have already provided you with tips on the Behavioural Event Interviewing (BEI) process on this site. However, this paper discusses the often overlooked and equally vital issues of Body Language and Image in a job interview. In a technical industry such as IT, some candidates are prone to being disadvantaged by wearing inappropriate dress and having poor body language - which is often caused by nervousness. This document is applicable to both IT recruiter interviews and Client (future employer) interviews. So please read this easy to follow practical advice on these subjects and increase your success rate of getting an offer.
The Importance of Body Language and Image in the Interview Process
Did you know that Body Language (non-verbal signals) are approximately five times as effective as the spoken word? And that visual ‘first impressions’ make the biggest contribution to an interviewer making their mind up either positively or negatively about you, usually within the first five minutes.
This is what makes your attention to detail about your ‘image management’ vital to your success. Everything from your entry into reception to how you engage in conversation with recruiters and potential employers is being subconsciously and consciously evaluated. This is why it is important to project yourself confidently, with a positive tone. Not brashly, not arrogantly, but by being prepared (researched), appearing interested and upbeat about the role AND meeting the interviewer. The interview should not be viewed as a trial, but as a chance for a pleasant mutual information transfer.
Initial interviewer impressions include: your entrance, handshake, eye contact and physical appearance. All of these facets comprise the impression you will make, and can often convey a stronger message than what you actually say. Because once a bad impression is made the interviewer is likely to tune out or look to closing down the interview early. Your job here is to make a strong early connection with the interviewer so they want to listen to you and put you forward.
Job Interviews - The Components to Success
The components that an interviewer makes judgments on when first meeting someone includes, but is not limited to:
- Posture
- Eye contact
- Personal Grooming
- Clothes
- Body Language
