Here at the YES! Your Human Resources Solutionblog, we’re kicking off September with an exciting series all about communication in the workplace.

The importance of communication as a professional skill is not to be overlooked. Business owners, managers, and in fact, most employees across all vocations, rely on their communication skills to function effectively in the workplace. Communication helps to determine success and productivity during interactions with leadership, peers, vendors, and clients, which in turn determines the success and productivity of the business.

With that foundation in mind, we’ll begin our series with the initial assessment of a person’s communication skills: during the job interview.

When most people think of a job interview, they imagine a verbal Q&A session, during which candidates communicate their ability and suitability regarding the position. But beyond this verbal exchange, there is a meaningful nonverbal “conversation” taking place during every interview, which can be more important than the words themselves.

Nonverbal communications can powerfully influence the way we evaluate candidates, because they tend to tell a story that words can’t. Nonverbal clues can reveal candidates’ attitude, approach, interests, and outlook, and in fact, not only their ability to perform the job at hand, but their suitability to blend with an organization’s culture. And while you won’t want to use nonverbal communication as the only criteria to evaluate candidates (and certainly not legally protected traits such as race, gender, age, and the like),  nonverbal communication should certainly be weighed in with the verbal communication.

When you conduct your next round of interviews, stop to evaluate these critical nonverbal communications:

• Attire. The first thing you’re likely to notice about job candidates is their appearance: how they are groomed, dressed, and accessorized. Whether interviewing at a leading tech firm or a fast-food restaurant, the most professional candidates will wear a suit. Their accessories should support that image of professionalism: shined shoes; a leather briefcase, portfolio, or purse; and tasteful makeup, perfume or cologne, and jewelry. A candidate’s appearance comes together to convey the desire and effort to make a good first impression. Less-than-professional details, such as dirty fingernails or an outfit that is too sloppy/short/casual, send the message that a candidate is hurried, careless, or just plain unaware of the image being portrayed—not qualities you are looking for when hiring a new team member.
• Handshake. After appearance, you’ll be able to evaluate each candidate’s handshake. You can learn a lot about a person’s attitude and self-confidence by the way they clasp hands. A firm and solid handshake conveys comfort and confidence. A limp or overly moist handshake may signal excessive nerves, low confidence, or low self-esteem. An extreme, finger-crushing handshake or a “power” handshake given with both hands can indicate an aggressive personality.
• Posture. Once you invite a candidate to sit down, you’ll be able to gauge posture. Much like the handshake, posture conveys attitude and self-confidence. A candidate who sits upright (but not too stiffly) with hands resting in the lap displays confidence and comfort. Posture that includes slouching, leaning, or sprawling in the seat may speak to low self-confidence, carelessness, and potentially sloppy work.
• Body Language. Once the interview begins and candidates settle in, you can use their body language to assess their level of attentiveness and even their level of interest in the job. Engaged candidates are likely to lean forward slightly in their chair and maintain a comfortable eye contact that does not seem forced or empty. Not-so-engaged or not-so-confident candidates may lean back in the chair, arms folded, with their eyes constantly moving around the room. They are not likely to maintain eye contact for more than a second or two when answering a question. Lack of eye contact or an unwavering, fixed stare can also indicate candidates who are not answering truthfully. Candidates who take over your desk with their arms, paperwork, or accessories might indicate an aggressive nature, as may candidates who lean back and cross their hands behind their head. And then there’s all kinds of habits such as hair-twirling or pen-clicking that portray lack of confidence, either with the interview setting itself or with their answers and abilities. You’ll have to judge their verbal communication to determine that one.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the world of recruitment, it can be challenging to find a great employee who is the right fit for your organization. By following these tips, you’ll be able to interpret an entire nonverbal repertoire of criteria you didn’t know you had. Happy hiring!