You Can Say Too Much Without Even Speaking – this is so true. This article dovetails nicely with our Sales Traits Series posted earlier today. From CareerJournal.com:
No matter what a job candidate might say, using the wrong body language can make them appear disinterested or even deceitful to recruiters.
I sat through an interview recently with a candidate who maintained eye contact without blinking. Ok, that may be an overstatement, but I was quite put-off by his intensity. Thankfully, I don’t think is mattered much to our customer.
That faux pas just happens to be the first one listed in this article:
1. Maintain the right amount of eye contact.
2. Don’t fidget.
3. Be conscious of posture while standing and sitting.
4. Avoid “closed” body language.
First, a quote straight from the article on point #1:
“People who don’t break from eye contact enough give me the willies,” says Mr. Moyer.
I couldn’t agree more. Now, in case you were wondering what “closed” body language is:
Body language such as crossed arms and clenched fists show defensiveness and tension, says Mr. Yate, who adds that they are physically closed positions.
…
Crossing your ankle over your knee with hands locked behind your head in what Mr. Yate calls the “rebel without a cause” look can make you look like unruly or difficult to work with, he says. “It’s the way an angry 17-year-old sits,” says Mr. Yate.Instead, sit with your ankles crossed or feet flat on the floor and use open hand gestures which suggest friendliness, he says.