Learn To Read A Job Candidate’s Body Language If You Want To Make Smarter Hiring Decisions

Today you have a task – pay attention to the body language of the people that you interact with. Body language is a universal form of communication that conveys feelings, attitudes, traits, and other things. It usually takes place at a subconscious level and can be a very revealing way to see what a job candidate is really like.

Job candidate sitting at shiny desk during job interview

The body sends all sorts of non verbal cues that can provide useful insights for a hiring manager. A simple twitch, blink, shift, or scratch could indicate confidence, aggression, sloppiness, honesty, social skills, attention span, energy level, engagement, enthusiasm, nervousness, or some other noteworthy trait.

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Body language provides subtle hints into how a job candidate could behave in the workplace once hired. It’s something that can easily be observed, but requires a keen eye to positively identify. That’s why it takes practice.

Here are a handful of non verbal body language cues to watch for during the hiring process:

Appearance
Handshakes
Posture
Eye Contact
Voice Pitch and Volume
Facial Expressions
Folded Arms
Blank Stares
Shaky Legs
Sweaty Palms
Rubbing The Face
Gestures

It’s kind of crazy to think that by reading a job candidate’s body language it can make or break their chances of getting hired. While body language may reveal interesting things about a job candidate, it may not be wise to use body language cues as the determining factor in your hiring decisions. It is possible that you read a person’s body language incorrectly.

Also bear in mind that the job interview is a bit of a rehearsed environment. Monster.com suggests that as an interviewer you should test a job seeker’s true body language by taking them on an unexpected tour of the office and introducing them to different people on the team. This “walkabout” can reveal a job candidate’s true nature.

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As an HR professional, you need to be aware of a job candidate’s body language during an interview. It speaks volumes about the candidates personality. Explore the world of body language and see if it will ultimately help you hire better job candidates in the future.

It only takes a few moments to make a first impression. Learn to read a job candidate’s body language, but also be aware of what your body is saying to the world too.

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