Judy James, a body language specialist and author, says that most interviewees who ask for advice are told ‘Just be yourself!’ This, she says, is the wrong approach. ‘If you are just going to be yourself, why not turn up in an old tracksuit? You would never do that, so why just ‘be yourself’ in body language? Instead, by marketing your body language, you can control your own success.’
According to experts, body language accounts for 55 per cent of the effect we have while communicating. Tone of voice accounts for 33 per cent and words for just 7 per cent – so how you behave matters much more than what you say.
Employers nowadays are cautious about the fast-talking interviewee who has learned certain words and phrases but who may be hiding a basic lack of knowledge or simply lying. So they look increasingly for other signs which will show a person’s character and ability- such as body language.
You will be more impressive at an interview if you have prepared by doing a ‘dress rehearsals’ of your facial expressions and hand movements in front of a mirror. It sounds ridiculous but it works. When it comes to facial signals, you should always smile when you enter the interview room and when the interview finishes, because first and last impressions count. Try to smile by the eyes first- if models can do this, so can we. There is nothing worse than a painted-on smile and terrified eyes.
You should also try to maintain eye-contact with the interviewer, but not for too long. If you are in front of a panel of interviewers, look first at the person who has asked you a question, and then at each of the other panel members in turn. Looking just at the questioner is a common mistake.
Your hands should generally stay loosely in your lap once you are sitting down. Use them to make a point occasionally but never raise them above shoulder level, and do not play with your hair, watch scrap or jewellery.
Tell-tale signs that the interview has gone well are: increased eye-contact, the repetition of your name and perhaps even some closer body space. A look of relief may also be a giveaway sign- the process of choosing a candidate is stressful for interviewers, too.
If you haven’t been impressive, the interviewer will be trying to not behave in a familiar fashion. Negative tell-tale signs are avoiding eye-contact and a parting handshake which is firmer than the one which you were greeted with.
Body language is a subject that we have all heard about, yet we are not aware of the effect that our own body language has on others. In fact, it is vital- and after someone has noticed it for the first time, even subconsciously, they are unlikely to change their opinion because of what you say. So, take the trouble to get it right at an interview.
So, you have decided to learn to speak Chinese to advance your career or to get more from your travels. Am I right to assume that you find the prospect of learning a second language a bit daunting? If you are like me, you probably have nightmares about endless, mind-numbing lists of vocabulary and grammar rules.
Relax! The solution lies in choosing a well-tested course for easy learning. You can't expect to learn to speak Chinese in 5 minutes, but learning a new language doesn't have to take forever either.
Now, there are some do's and don'ts when it comes to choosing a top-rated, intensive, standard Chinese course pack. Let's take a look at what you should avoid and what you should look for when going on this new, mind-expanding and enriching adventure.
What you don't want to see in a Chinese course outline:
1. A ridiculous promise that you will learn Chinese in 5 minutes.
2. An emphasis on mindless repetition of long lists of grammar rules and vocabulary lists. Many language courses still focus on this with wretched results.
3. Being steered away from real conversations until you have a huge vocabulary.
What you do want to see in an intensive Chinese language pack:
1. An approach that will help you to learn to speak Chinese in an easy, fun and fast way. You want a course that will focus on building speaking confidence, while facilitating a natural accent.
2. Encouragement to take part in real conversations from the get go.
3. A learn-Chinese-for-beginners approach that will still have something to offer you when you are an advanced student. A language pack that is too basic will quickly become boring.
4. A quick start on the basics such as saying hello and introducing yourself, ordering food and drink and giving or receiving compliments with ease and grace. Imagine how impressed business partners or traveling companions will be with your new skill!
5. A course that offers constant Chinese language support and encouragement.
6. Language games and tools to keep things interesting and fun.
7. An emphasis on using actual conversational phrases, rather than the memorization of lists of words. This is the best way of developing a feel for the language and immersing yourself in it. This kind of course offers a much higher success rate.
8. A course built on years of practical language research with time-tested tools and techniques that facilitate fast, easy learning.
9. The ability to learn to speak Chinese with the help of native speakers to ensure that you learn the correct accent.
Whether you need this second language because you are about to travel to a Chinese speaking country, or because you have a Chinese speaking partner, or want to study Chinese and need better resources to make your learning easier, or simply because you love Chinese literature and film, and want to immerse yourself more fully in the language - whatever the reason, you will soon be ready to impress native speakers if you begin to learn to speak Chinese the easy, fun way today.
Both Sharon White & Rika Susan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Sharon White has sinced written about articles on various topics from Writing, computers and the internet and Careers and Job Hunting. The article was produced by the writer of masterpapers.com.Sharon White is a senior writer and writers’ consultant in a. Sharon White's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.
Rika Susan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Parenting, Family Concerns and Baby Shower. To the easy (and discount!) way, visit my website. Rika Susan's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.