Inner view of the job interview

• Source: Global Times
• [21:48 November 19 2009]
• Comments

By Liu Meng

Fidgeting, restless hands, nervous ticks – they're almost unavoidable while interviewing for a job you really want.

But employers are increasingly reading body language as much as resumes. Everything from the more obvious mobile phone etiquette to less conscious tightening of the lips, wandering eyes, head scratching and nose itching, HR experts are calling our attention to our body language, pointing out that non-verbal signals like these are the telling signs interviewers look for while interviewing applicants.

In a report released on October 26 by the University Students Psychology Advisory Committee surveying both graduates and HR departments of major enterprises in ten Chinese cities, revealed that 82 percent of first time job hunters make telling non-verbal signals during the interview process.

"Seventy percent of information is conveyed non-verbally during an interview. A relaxed attitude usually gives interviewers the impression one is confident, experienced or in possession of good social skills," said Ouyang Hui, director of the human resource research center at China HR, one of China's leading employment websites.

The report also revealed that only 60 percent of job hunters were aware of committing non-verbal no-nos while being interviewed.

Mao Xin, a graduate majoring in English at a university in Chongqing, attributes her nervousness to her placing too much importance on the result of the interviews.

"If I can just see it as a chance to gain some experience, I would be much more relaxed," she said.

Gu Li, a sociology grad student at Peking University, said that she chronically fidgets with her pen when nervous.

"Now that I know non-verbals are so important that I'll prepare and try to be more confident next interview," said Gu.

Song Anying, director of human resources at China HR, said that most graduates put so much pressure on themselves that they are already at a huge disadvantage before they even walk through the door.

"If they can treat the interview as a conversation with their parents, they'll do a lot better," she suggested.

Tang Haibo, director of the Psychology Health Center at Central South University, suggests that although such body language during an interview is natural, all it takes is a little practice to make improvement.

"Students should cultivate their social skills in daily life, which can help them become more easygoing in unfamiliar situations," said Tang.