Face-to-face Communication Skills

In-person communication skills go beyond verbal tone to include body language. You may be saying one thing, "I work well as a team member." while your body language is saying something different to your listener: "arms crossed, face tense, appears aggressive and uncooperative. Eyes are not looking at me, appears uncertain."

Eye contact is important in good communications. Looking someone in the eyes while you listen or speak gives the other person a sense that you are attentive and that you believe your statements are truthful. Looking furtively to the corners of a room or down at your hands while speaking can indicate a lack of confidence in your responses. Not looking your interviewer in the eyes when they are speaking denotes a lack of interest in what they have to say or a lack of concentration.

Other negative body postures include: slouching, fidgeting, foot jiggling or finger drumming (signs of nervous energy), leaning to the left or the right against the arm of your chair (in an over-relaxed position), leaning back (leaning forward indicates interest and attentiveness), looking at your watch (don't you want to be here?), talking through your hand, crossing your arms (an appearance of being closed or aggressive), resting your head in the palm of your hand (I'm bored, or worse, you're boring), etc.

When you speak to someone, their eyes are generally focused on your eyes and mouth (if they are really listening to you). This means the obvious, no gum chewing, but also means that you need to take particular care of the appearance of your mouth and teeth. This may sound silly, but if you are currently employed and planning to hold an evening interview after work, you may want to consider taking a toothbrush and toothpaste to work with you. This is more for your level of comfort than for the benefit of your listener, because if you are concerned that your teeth or mouth are in any way unclean, you are going to avoid smiling or speaking openly. Dry mouth can also be a problem if interviews make you feel stressed. An easy solution to this is to chew a stick of gum (which increases salivation) immediately prior to the interview. Just make sure you get rid of it before you arrive.

Just as with a mock phone interview, have a friend or someone you otherwise respect hold a mock in-person interview with you. Hold this mock interview in a public place or office, rather than at someone's home. Dress for the interview and go through all the general motions, just as if it were the real thing. Have your "interviewer" rate your communication skills and responses, including body language.

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