DK Employability Group (DKEG) Kossacks working together to improve skill-building, training, and employment prospects regardless of circumstance
Another recent diary commented on the Arron Sorkin movie, Dave which while a commentary on the superficiality of the image of POTUS, it did comment on the notion of the value of employment since Dave did work as an employment agency counselor. We're not all blessed with the symmetric good looks of cinematic celebrities so as the first in what one hopes is a series of group diaries on the larger issues of employability and self-help in what has been a challenging century so far for finding work of any type, non-verbal messaging seems to be a useful place to start. While there are cliches about wardrobes and proper appearance and of course entire media segments and cottage industries devoted to make-overs, it is the more subtle of such messaging that is less about what is bought off the rack and how one communicates non-verbally. In the interview context, assuming that one has done most of the preparation that the manuals advise, there are the social and cultural nuances that often become problematic in the one-on-one interview.
Remember that the image the interviewer has of you when he or she first meets you is the one that is going to last. If you’re slouchy or overly aggressive it won’t matter how well you answer the interview questions. You are not going to get the job. In job interviews or job fairs, make sure to practice the best nonverbals, get someone to provide you with constructive feedback when you practice, work on improvements, and then use the right nonverbals during the job search process. It could be just what clinches the job for you.
Nonverbal behaviors
Your nonverbal persona starts while you wait for your interview.
The first few minutes are really important.
Practice a firm handshake — not one that is sticky, sweaty or wimpy.
Limit hand gestures.
Make eye contact, but not too much.
Lean in.
Avoid nervous gestures,
Keep your facial expressions positive or thoughtful — and smile.
Don’t crowd your interviewer.
Use the right tone of voice.
Use the mirroring body language technique.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
All of these seem like wise pieces of advice but preparation and practicing or even unlearning so many potentially counterproductive behaviors could make one more neurotic than usual in the interview situation.
What has become more common are the use of video teleconferencing software such as Skype" to conduct interviews and unfortunately the backdrop and your camera makes the same non-verbal message advice more critical if only because your interviewer will bring a bias influenced by media exposure to the interview as well. It certainly is reciprocal as a panel of interviewers of European ethnicity certainly gives an impression to a POC. In the case of Up in the Air, downsized employees are fired using such software, presumably to reduce the possibility of workplace violence.
Like Office Space, there are more classic or mythological commentaries on these matters albeit some about being fired like Working Girl or more subtle comedies like Up in the Air but to get us started here's some other work-related movies: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/...
There should be a place to share and seek advice in DK while many Kossacks struggle with the many contradictions of underemployment, unemployment, and seeking new employment while employed. The collective progressive knowledge of DK should come to bear not just upon the large-scale matters of labor policy but the critical practices needed to better develop individual or group employability skills ranging from skill-building, to career-training, to career-changing, to career-ending.
All are welcome. This is meant not to be a place to vent so much as to share pro-active mentoring approaches to reinvent, renew, and reconstruct one's working life. Please consider becoming a member, editor, participant.