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Job Interview Skills

Delivering great answers to the interviewer's questions is the main skill in impressing people and getting the job; but let's not underestimate the importance of the body language you use to get your nose in front.

MATCHING AND MIRRORING

Interviews are like speed dating. You quickly eye each other up and decide whether or not you're interested in taking things further. So you need to be able to build rapport with your interviewer as quickly and effectively as possible. You never have a second chance to make a first impression.

The key skill to use here is mirroring. Mirroring body language is based on the theory that we are more at ease, subconsciously, with people who are similar to ourselves. It's a bit like dancing. You can mirror most things Posture, for instance. If they're upright, so are you. If they cross their legs, so do you. If their arms are on the table, so are yours. If you're sitting opposite someone with their right leg crossed, you cross your left leg to make a mirror image. You're making the person feel comfortable that they're talking to someone with similar behaviours to theirs.

Listen to the tone and speed of their voice. If they talk quickly, try to answer at the same speed. Vary your tone in the same way they do. Is the language they use concise or detailed? If they ask long questions they're going to be more comfortable with you giving a detailed answer.

Pick up on their mood, whether it's humorous or serious. You will notice, of course, how formally or casually they dress and conduct themselves.

You can mirror their use of gestures to accentuate a point. If they change their posture, you change yours. (People who are brilliant at this technique claim to match the speed at which a person's eyes blink, but beginners shouldn't try this lest they look like a mole emerging into sunlight.) Don't mimic them or copy their gestures too quickly. Mirroring is a subtle technique and interviewers who are not NLP proficient should not consciously notice what you're doing.

They will just get the warm feeling that comes from dealing with someone on the same wavelength.

We all use this form of body language when we're relaxed with our friends. Watch people in a restaurant or a pub and you'll see how mirroring helps the group to feel comfortable in each other's company. Or maybe it's the other way round: when you're with someone you're entirely comfortable with, it's quite hard not to do it.

ANCHORING

You're never at your most confident when you're about to try to be tested, professionally and personally. Anchoring can be very helpful in removing the signs of nervousness and helping to give you the confidence to give of your best. Anchor yourself to a memory of a time in your life when you felt really confident. Before the interview, perhaps outside the door, pause and bring that experience of total confidence into your mind. Hold it there, remember how you felt and what you saw and said. This reminds your brain of how to feel and look confident. At times of pressure in the interview, recall the situation again and you'll adjust your behaviour back to expressing confidence.


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