IMPRESSIONS: Continued

Submitted by: Ross Roberge, Director of Business Development In my previous blog, I touched on personal appearance during an interview. This time I’d like to talk about communication. Communication is often thought of as writing or talking, however there are many more ways in which we communicate. While written (resume/cover letter) and verbal communication play a large role in the interviewing process, nonverbal communication also plays an equally important role when you are presenting yourself. First let us touch on the easy one, verbal communication. When speaking during an interview SPEAK UP! By speaking in a clear, confident, volume appropriate voice I am a lot more likely to listen intently. Nothing is more painful in an interview than listening to someone who looks at their feet and speaks just above a whisper. By maintaining eye contact you are not only showing interest and confidence, you are projecting your voice towards the listener. I do not place any candidate that cannot speak confidently and maintain eye contact during our interview. Nonverbal communication is just as important as verbal communication. I already touched on eye contact in the previous paragraph; however it belongs here as well. Eye contact conveys confidence and knowledge but it also allows you to judge the reaction(s) of the interviewer. Another hint, sit up straight! Slouching is often found more frequently in the younger applicants I interview. If it looks like you are lazy during your interview you can bet I won’t take you seriously as a candidate. Sit up straight, cross your legs at the ankles (women it is acceptable to cross your legs). Fold your hands and set them on your lap or on the table in front of you.