7 Ways of Decoding Non-Verbal Behaviors of Interviewees

1. 7 Ways of Decoding Non-Verbal Behaviors of Interviewees

2. 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.

3. 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:

4. 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 chair’s 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 they’d give off should you bring them on client meetings or ask them to interface with high-powered executives within your company.

7. 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 shouldn’t become distracting.

8. Failure To Smile A job interview should be taken seriously, of course, but that doesn’t 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.

9. 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.

10. 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 you’ll be able to make a thoughtful hiring decision that ensures this new team member is part of your staff for the long-haul.