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Body language cards teach workers non-verbal cues that position them for hiring

LOS GATOS, Calif., Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --  Your body language during an interview may be revealing things to a potential boss that you didn't know. The interviewer's body language also can reveal what he/she is thinking. Learning how to use and read non-verbal cues can give job seekers a clear advantage over other contenders.

"Job seekers invest a lot in preparation for an interview: new clothes; perfect hair and nails; company research, and role playing the interview so they have all the right answers. But knowing how to use non-verbal cues and communication to build trust and confidence is just as important," said Gil Shermeister, behavioral zoologist that 12 years ago co-invented the Body Language Cards, a method used in the training of executives, sales forces and professional security personnel.

Shermeister's top six interview tips include:

1. When entering, people tend to create an imaginary barrier to protect themselves by clutching a handbag or crossing their arms. To the interviewer this "says" insecurity. Keep an open body stance (no crossed arms or legs) and maintain eye contact.
2. Avoid making the upper hand handshake which indicates a need to dominate.
3. If interviewed by several people, always identify the decision-maker. This is the person others glance at when they are finished talking. Direct comments/replies to the decision-maker.
4. Under stress people instinctively tend to protect the main artery. In modern society it is manifested by touching the tie or playing with a necklace (image) Don't fidget with jewelry or garments in this way.
5. The interviewer may reveal a need for more information by putting an object in his/her mouth or motioning with a pen or the tip of the glasses (image). Take the cue and provide more details.
6. If the interviewer puts his fingers together (pyramid-like), this may indicate an attempt to "connect the dots" (image). Another good sign is when the interviewer rubs his hands together. Both gestures indicate satisfaction.

"Having worked in the careers/employment industry for more than 30 years, I know that many job seekers inadvertently sabotage their own searches because they don't understand the messages that their body language communicates," saidWendy Enelow, with Career Thought Leaders Consortium. "The moment I saw the Body Language Cards, I knew that I was looking at something special."

To learn body language secrets for acing interviews and creating a positive professional image, visithttp:www.bodylanguagecards.com.

Body Language Cards (www.bodylanguagecards.com) are part of the "Skill in a Box" series developed by Gil Shermeister,Dan Rolls and Liat Zohar. Body Language Cards are available on the web for $24.95 as an accessible instrument for quickly learning and recognizing non-verbal gestures and cues. They are published in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hebrew and German and may be customized for use by corporations and groups worldwide.

First impressions are lasting, especially in the career world, when an interview or a pitch can be your single shot at success. Your stage presence speaks volumes about how you are perceived, from the board meeting to the coffee shop. Since your audience forms an opinion before you even open your mouth, your body language conveys more than half of what you are communicating. You have control over the way you carry and comport yourself and these mannerisms can help you own your self confidence.

Here are five essential strategies to ramp up your professional poise:

1. Stand tall and use good posture when sitting in a board meeting, making a presentation or even grabbing a snack in the company break room. Good posture is healthy, conveys confidence, and can make you look 5 pounds thinner. Now that's my kind of dieting!

2. Analyze your speaking voice. Be sure to speak slowly, clearly and keep your volume constant throughout your statements. A strong landing or dismount is very important and can make or break the effectiveness of a statement. Use proper grammar and work towards eliminating filler phrases such as: "like", "um" and "you know." Be aware that "you guys" is not an appropriate way to address a group in a professional setting, especially if the party includes women.

3. Dress the part. Take stock of your professional wardrobe and make sure you are neatly groomed and wearing clothing that reflects the culture (and decade!) of your work environment. Ill fitting and sloppy clothing sends an immediate negative message to your clients and colleagues. Shoes should be polished and allow you to walk comfortably and well balanced. Ladies - the killer heels look great for a night on the town but they will not serve you well if you are wobbly on your feet during the company tour or interview.

4. Have a positive attitude and avoid work place gossip and politics. Positivity is infectious and can impact how you perform on the job. Pay-it-forward with an upbeat mindset and watch your colleagues follow suit.

5. Be mindful of the rules of etiquette whether you are hosting a client for a business lunch or a guest at your boss's holiday party. Retool your etiquette know-how so you can be comfortable eating and socializing in a professional environment.

Distinguish yourself with professional poise and gain confidence and self esteem by ramping up your stage presence on the job. Owning the role of the polished professional will show the world you mean business.

Caroline Dowd-Higgins pens a career transition blog called "This Is Not the Career I Ordered" (www.notthecareeriordered.com). She is also the Director of Career & Professional Development at Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

What are Communication skills?

Communication skills in the context of the nonverbal communication describes the process of transmission meaning in the form of non-word messages. Research shows that the more than 90% of our communication is non verbal and body language. Some of the non verbal communication includes gesture, body language or posture; facial expression and eye contact, object communication such as clothing, hairstyles, architecture, symbols infographics, and tone of voice as well as through an aggregate of the above. Non-verbal communication is also called silent language and plays a key role in human day to day life from employment relations to romantic engagements.

We can develop our communication skills by learning the secret of the body language. for example, interview starts the moment you step into the room. Walk in tall, with a smile on your face. Make sure your hands are free and offer it to the interviewer. Make the handshake strong and firm, pumping hands once or twice, then releasing.

Entering with long strides characterizes a person with long-term goals and the willingness to take risks.

Remember that we never get a second chance to make the first impression.

Sharpening your Skills

Written by Francisco Matos – Director Broward Programs- & Sean T. Kenny – Director Palm Beach Programs  

You may find that sharpening your skills may be cost prohibiting and difficult to schedule due to work competing priorities, budget cuts, career transitions, and/or lay off events. However, make no mistake that owning your employability requires you to “re-tool” and acquired skills and knowledge by leveraging your South Florida PMI Chapter sponsored education, guest speakers, collaboration and knowledge base tools listed below.

Learning body Language wasn't never so easy and effective!

Faces belong to bodies, From our encounters with others, we are just as familiar with emotional body language as with facial expressions.