Is your body 'talking right' at interviews?

Written by Goh Mei Yi - 4 October 2006

During an interview, what you say is not the only thing that matters - how you present yourself is just as crucial. Make sure your physical actions and gestures convey the same message as your answers.


Walk tall, stand strong

Astute HR managers can size up candidates at a glance. When you enter the room, walk purposefully towards the table, smile and greet the interviewers. If the interviewers are the ones coming into the room you are in, then rise and greet them.

Before the interview, whether you are in a reception area or inside a room, sit "at attention" and don't spend the time adjusting your clothes or daydreaming.


The handshake test

It is business manners to shake hands during introductions, and at the start or conclusion of a meeting. When shaking interviewers' hands for the first time, it's generally safe to let them establish the length and firmness of the handshake and follow their lead.

How do you give a good handshake? Grasp the hand firmly and squeeze gently. Hold the hand for about two seconds as you make eye contact and exchange pleasantries. To get the perfect handshake, try it out on a few friends, and get their feedback on your timing, grip and technique. Keep a handkerchief in your pocket in case you need to dry wet or sweaty palms.


Exit gracefully

Don't lose your focus after the interview has concluded. Give a firm goodbye handshake and leave the room in a confident manner. Keep going until you are safely out of sight of the building, then you can take that huge sigh of relief.

Here are some do's and don'ts to bear in mind during the interview itself:

Do:

1. Pay attention to your posture. Sit up straight and lean slightly forward in your chair to project confidence and active participation.
   
2. Keep an interested expression on your face. Also make body expressions that demonstrate interest, such as nodding, tilting your head, or smiling.
   
3. If more than one person is interviewing you, make and keep eye contact with all interviewers. But turn your attention to the person who posed the question when you are giving an answer.
   
   
4. If the interview is interrupted, refrain from staring at your interviewers during the interruption. Offer to leave the room if they need privacy.
   

Don't:

1. Touch your hair, nose or any part of your body. Even if it's really itching, just bear with it.
   
2. Sit with your arms folded across your chest. This gesture indicates defensiveness, resistance, aggressiveness or a closed mind.
   
3. Shake your legs, tap your feet, wring your hands or bite your fingernails. All of these actions demonstrate insecurity and can be extremely distracting.
   
4. Gesticulate wildly. It is all right to use your hands to express yourself while you talk, but no orchestra conductor moves, please.

Say goodbye to your old job diplomatically

Written by Goh Mei Yi - 1 August 2006

No matter how much you hate your current job, never leave on a sour note. Don't tell irritating colleagues what you really think of them. As much as you may want to, resist the temptation. The world is much smaller than we think, and you never know when you will encounter your ex-boss or colleague again.

Spare yourself from future embarrassment by parting ways in a friendly manner, or at least a civil one. Here are some things you should and should not do when you hand in your resignation.
DO

1. Announce your intention to leave the company in a professional manner. Maintain a courteous tone.
   
2. Tell your direct supervisor first. Then inform other colleagues in your department.
   
3. Write a professional letter of resignation. There's no need to launch into a lengthy explanation, just a simple statement that you are leaving and your last day of service.
   
4. Give your employer enough notice so that they can find a replacement in time. Work with your current and future employers to set a date both sides are comfortable with.
   
5. Finish your work. If it can't be completed, provide a list of outstanding tasks and inform your supervisor.
   
6. Offer to train your replacement. If you leave before a replacement is hired, make yourself available to answer questions in person or over the phone.

DON'T

1. Boast to colleagues about your new position, salary or perks. Thank them for their support and friendship, and exchange contact information to stay in touch.
   
2. Leave your work area a mess. Organise your materials and label files and documents clearly so that they can be easily located.
   
3. Take it easy and slack off. Remain a contributing member to your team during your last days at work to leave a good and lasting impression.
   
4. Bad-mouth the company and rant about your boss during the exit interview.
   
5. Filch office supplies for your home or new office. Unless you paid for it, leave it behind for your successor.

Maintain your privacy at work

Written by Goh Mei Yi - 30 August 2006

Like it or not, more employers are monitoring staff activities because of increased technology available to employees, such as e-mail and Internet access. Observations can also be made via surveillance cameras and outgoing phone calls.

While some people may feel that keeping tabs on their actions and whereabouts violates their privacy at work, many employers feel that employees must follow company policy regarding personal use of technology since it belongs to the company.

Don't forget that your purpose in the office is to work, so use your discretion when it comes to personal stuff.


Read the staff handbook

Most companies will have a list of policies pertaining to e-mail and Internet usage. If in doubt, always check with HR.


Limit company e-mail for private use

Don't assume your office e-mail is yours to read alone. Someone in your organisation, usually the network administrator, has the authority to watch the e-mail traffic coming and going out of your e-mail account.


Don't send an e-mail you might regret

Technology has made it so easy to spread information. Err on the side of caution when you compose an e-mail, as your recipient might hit the "forward" instead of the "reply" button. If you have something confidential to communicate, call instead of sending an e-mail.


Keep your password private

If you don't want others to gain access to your computer while you're away, keep your login password to yourself. Avoid an easy-to-guess password like "abcdefg".


Don't visit certain websites

Each time you open a web page, you leave an electronic fingerprint which indicates that your computer visited a particular website. But more embarrassingly, your colleagues might catch a glimpse of what lingerie styles you are buying online.


Activate screensaver password

Adjust your computer setting to require a fresh login after a period of inactivity. Don't give others the opportunity to read your mail while you are away from your desk.


Be punctual

If you use a security pass to enter your office building, management can easily trace the time you entered the premises and reported for work. They can use this information to implicate tardy employees if they have to.