Body Language Influences Hiring Decisions

The body language of interviewees can have a major influence on hiring decisions. Hiring managers are interested in something other than your resume and what you have to say -- the way you project “body talk,” including your posture, hand-waving and other non-verbal language, can make a far greater difference than many job-seekers may realize. According to a new survey from CareerBuilder, a significant percentage of hiring managers say job candidates often significantly hurt their chances with their gestures and physical presence. “In a highly competitive job market, job seekers need to set themselves apart in the interview stage,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder. “All that pressure, though, may have some job seekers making body language mistakes that don’t convey a confident message.” Fortunately, CareerBuilder has some easy tips to help you avoid sending out bad-body vibes. More than 2,500 hiring managers took part in the survey. Here’s what they had to share: