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Accent can impact me personally in job interviews, by when I start to get overwhelmed I start to have a slight country accent. This can have a negative impact on my interview by them getting a wrong impression of me and think I always talk like that and it could lead to confusion.

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In the past, your accent could give away a lot about you: your social status, were you're from, your education. An accent can be regional, national or foreign, for example an Indian person speaking English.

Nowadays, people adopt a more relaxed attitude and accept different accents because they are embracing more diversity.

However, accents can influence someone's perception of you and may affect the decision of an employer when hiring.

According to research, eight out of ten employers have admitted to not recruiting a candidate because of their accent. This is called unconscious bias because most of the time the person is not even aware of this judgement. But I must admit that it exists in the business world.

In a study taken place in the UK by the University of South Wales, it was revealed that some accents were being favoured by employers. The preferred one was the RP (received pronunciation or commonly called the BBC English or the Queen's English). This preference assumes that a person speaking with this accent is considered of high intelligence. On the contrary, people with a Birmingham accent (Midlands) was considered less intelligent.

In the USA, although there are a multitude of regional accents, the one who is most accepted by employers is the standardised American English, which is the one you can listen to in the news, movies and shows. They claim that it is easier to understand and learn.

The preferred accent is the RP (received pronunciation or commonly called the BBC English or the Queen's English).

In a poll who took place in 2013 in the UK, where 4,031 adults were interviewed, 28% of them feel discriminated against because of their accent.

14% experienced accent discrimination in the workplace and

12% felt accent discrimination in job interviews.

In the USA, several studies showed that people with native accents have a smaller chance to be hired for the position they apply to. And non-native applicants have a lower chance of being hired or getting a promotion than the applicants with American English accent.

They also discovered that non-native English speakers without an American accent tend to be seen a less competent than native English speakers. They stressed that the results are not based on ethnicity but on accent.

This is alarming news. You can always take legal action if you think you are discriminated because of your accent. The employer should demonstrate that clear communication skills play a major role for the job.

What can you do if you have a strong accent?

Let me remind you that having a strong accent should never be seen as a negative attribute in any circumstance. However, if you want to improve your chances at a job interview here are a few tips that you could practice.

-If you have a regional accent, just don't use regional slang. Cursing is an absolute no, no. Don't change your accent.

-Pronounce the letters at the beginning and the end of words. This will slow down your speech and allow you to project a more professional image of yourself.

-Speak slowly and clearly. You will sound more eloquent; you will have more time to think about what you're answering and will come across as an intelligent person during the job interview.

-Read books. Reading will help you understand the meaning of new words in context and will help expand your vocabulary. You will be able to impress potential employers with the use of more complex words and that will increase your chances.

-Avoid the use of filler words. Don't use "Err" "Erm" as this will make you sound uneducated, no matter your accent.

-Be confident and speak up. During the interview relax, breathe slowly and project your voice. Speaking softly will reflect your lack of confidence and this will be detrimental.

Speak at a normal rate, not too fast not too slow. Both will make you incomprehensible. If this happen your interviewer might decide not to hire you. Control your nerves as it can make you speak too fast and your accent will be less understandable.

-Ask questions if you didn't understand what was said. It is always better to ask them to repeat, than to stare at them blankly or give the wrong answer.

-Practice your speaking skills prior to the interview. Practice regularly with a friend, on an internet chatroom or on your own. Be consistent and you will see results.

Improving a strong accent is not easy, but with patience, determination and building your confidence you will get this dream job you're looking for.

If You need help reducing your strong accent please,click here for more information.

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Is Your Accent Preventing You From Getting The Perfect Job?

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In the past, your accent could give away a lot about you: your social status, were you're from, your education. An accent can be regional, national or foreign, for example an Indian person speaking English. Nowadays, people adopt a more relaxed attitude and accept different accents because they are embracing more diversity.

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Accent Modification, Communication Skills : Packard

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Can an Accent Have a Negative Impact on Your Interview?

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You might be wondering if your accent can have a negative impact on your interview. You certainly raise a valid concern. Unfortunately, the short answer is yes. At some point, you will have an interview. You might attend a job interview, a college interview, or even a review of your immigration status.

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As you may already acknowledge, it's illegal to discriminate candidates based on their race, ethnicity, nationality but accents are often not considered as a trait to take it into consideration in discrimination in the workplace. However, isn't it exactly the same when it comes to accent and the prejudices that accents might awake in terms of one's regional background, class, ethnicity, and even criminality. Do you think an accent can show one's education, skills, and abilities, criminality, class and more importantly do these traits affect the decision of employment regardless of the applicant's knowledge and experiences in the field? I'm sure we are all aware of the accent discriminations based on the negative answer given to he previous question in our native tongues and which sociocultural discourses produce those negative effects regarding one's accent. But what about the international accents in English? What kind of conclusions your brain starts to make? If someone has a thick accent, does it show his/her inability to adapt to a new language even though grammatically everything sounds correct?

It is definitely not a myth, but if you still have doubts check Baugh's study where he made phone calls for apartment advertisements using different English accents ("standard" and "non-standard" accents) as cited in BBC (2017). Can you guess what happened? Of course when he used "standard American English" there were more open doors available for him. According to Lippi-Green (2006) there is a standard language ideology which is basically a "bias toward an abstracted, idealized, non-varying spoken language that is imposed and maintained by dominant institutions" but it is also impossible to have a homogenous language standard for everyone and there's always gonna be a room for discrimination if one holds this ideology.

Another study conducted by Timming (2017) in the US shows that during the phone-based job interviews, there's a high chance of discriminating specific accents such as Mexican-, Chinese- and Indian-accented English especially in customer-facing jobs while British-accented English male applicants were favored among all others (surprised?). However, this result also brings up the question if customer related jobs really need native speakers. For Customer Service related jobs, Markley (2000) says "that position requires excellent communication skills, and someone who could not be understood well would honestly interrupt the flow of business".

Not everyone who speaks a certain language as their second tongue has total control in that language which is required for customer service representatives. However, if an accent doesn't really leads to misunderstanding especially on the phone, it shouldn't be an excuse for not hiring someone whose execution of a language is in native level regardless of the accent.

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Does Your Accent Affect Your Job Interview? | Blu Selection

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As you may already acknowledge, it's illegal to discriminate candidates based on their race, ethnicity, nationality but accents are often not considered as a trait to take it into consideration in discrimination in the workplace. However, isn't it exactly the same when it comes to accent and the prejudices that accents might awake in terms of one's regional background, class, ethnicity, and even criminality.

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How Complement Can Impact Job Interviews

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How Complement Can Impact Job Interviews

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Complement can impact me personally in job interviews, by if I do not use them in a correct and polite manner the interviewer could get a bad impression of me. This is by using this skill of nonverbal communication in relation to verbal communication to emphasis the points I try to make during said interview.

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Are you getting ready for a job interview? Here's how to make an interviewer feel dubious about your candidacy: slump in your seat, avoid eye contact, and crack your knuckles before answering tough questions.

Appearance counts during interviews-not only how you dress, but also how you carry yourself. Even if your responses to questions are flawless, the wrong body language can send the wrong signal and sour how you're perceived.

Follow these recommendations for men and women to project poise and confidence-not jitters and arrogance-during your next job interview.

Before the Interview

Put on your confidence even before the interview commences. In the waiting area, have good posture while standing and sitting. Keep your back straight, and your chin parallel to the ground. While you may not have met your interviewer at this point, it's still possible that the receptionist or potential future co-workers are observing you.

When you sit down to wait, place your briefcase or purse to the left side of your chair-that will reduce awkwardness when you have to shake the interviewer's hand and grab your personal items.

During the Interview

While first impressions do count for a lot, it's during your conversation that interviewers will have an extended time to take you in. Your answers to questions are important, as is your stance while listening and responding. Keep these body language tips in mind:

Posture and Sitting Style

First and foremost: No slumping. Keep your back straight. Lean forward slightly to indicate interest. Do not recline back into the chair fully; this can make you seem bored or disengaged.

Avoid crossing your arms or placing items in your lap; these habits indicate defensiveness, nerves, and a need for self-protection when what you'd ideally convey during an interview is confidence.

Avoid Crossing Your Legs

Most experts recommend against crossed legs. With a long interview, you might need to re-cross them because your leg is falling asleep. This could come across as fidgeting.

Try Not to Appear Restless

Speaking of fidgeting, if you're a nail-biter, knuckle-cracker, hair-twirler, or leg-tapper, don't allow these habits to make an appearance during the interview. All will appear unprofessional and convey nerves. Plus, most of these actions are generally considered impolite.

Use Your Hands

Do you naturally talk with your hands? Go ahead and let them move during the interview. Stopping your natural gestures may lead to an awkward appearance. Just make sure your motions don't become so enthusiastic that they distract from your words.

Make Eye Contact

It's important to make eye contact during your interview, but don't mistake that for a directive to make constant eye contact. That can be disconcerting and considered aggressive.

At the same time, avoiding eye contact entirely comes across as untrustworthy and distant-it could make it seem like your answers are dishonest. Balance it out: Aim to make eye contact as you listen and respond to questions, but allow it to break occasionally, and let your eyes wander.

Practice Your Body Language

You should practice your body language as much as you rehearse your answers to common interview questions. Natural tendencies tend to take over when you're nervous, so you have to learn to consciously overcome them.

Practice with friends or an interview coach to ensure you're fully aware and in control of your body when the time comes for the interview.

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Body Language Tips for Your Next Job Interview

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Are you getting ready for a job interview? Here's how to make an interviewer feel dubious about your candidacy: slump in your seat, avoid eye contact, and crack your knuckles before answering tough questions. Appearance counts during interviews-not only how you dress, but also how you carry yourself.

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Published on October 31, 2018, at 3:45 p.m.
by McClelland Schilling.

When preparing for an interview, interviewees spend countless hours researching the company, preparing for anticipated questions and picking out the perfect interview outfit. While these are all important and those who wish to execute a successful interview should dedicate time to these areas, there is another critical area that is frequently overlooked: nonverbal communication.

Nailing the interview and securing one's dream job go beyond saying the right things and wearing the right pantsuit; what is communicated nonverbally will heavily weigh in the outcome of an interview.

A basic definition describes nonverbal communication to be communication that does not use spoken language. However, there are numerous layers to nonverbal communication, including and not limited to accent, tone, facial expressions and eye contact. All of these moving parts make up between 60 and 90 percent of what people communicate on a daily basis.

With so much of what we communicate being nonverbal, it is imperative to have a basic understanding of this area of communication and to be aware of personal nonverbal tendencies. This is especially important in an interview setting where interviewees only have a limited amount of time to communicate who they are and to leave a positive impression.

When preparing nonverbal skills for an interview, there are many aspects that need to be considered. For instance, what does the competitive landscape look like? How highly sought after is the position? In the case of a highly competitive interview process where interviewees exhibit similar verbal behavior and job qualifications, an interviewee's nonverbal skills may determine whether or not they get the job.

It's also important to consider how the interview will be conducted. The type of interview (Skype, phone call, in-person, etc.) determines the number of verbal cues that will be available to the interviewer. The number of cues that are interpreted will impact the overall impression the interviewer has of the interviewee.

With there being so many areas of which to be aware, it can be difficult to narrow the focus to what is most important for the environment of interviewing. Mary Loyd Lowery, director of career education/development at The University of Alabama's Career Center, suggests the most important areas of nonverbal communication are professional appearance (attire, grooming), eye contact, facial expressions, posture, handshake and body language.

Lowery explained how these areas can affect the impression that is communicated with the interviewer. "Your nonverbal communication can contribute to the interviewer seeing you as professional, confident, pleasant and respectful," Lowery said. "If you arrive to an interview dressed inappropriately or demonstrate lack of confidence, no interest, or lack of respect at any point in the interview, the employer is likely to pass on you and hire another."

Once the basics of nonverbal (handshake, posture, etc.) have been mastered, an additional step can be taken: aligning nonverbal communication with what is being communicated verbally. Dr. Darrin J. Griffin, assistant professor and director of the C&IS Human Communication Research Laboratory at The University of Alabama, says the key is to ask yourself if your nonverbal communication is complimenting, corresponding and corroborating the message that you're saying verbally.

"The key is not to be deceptive, but whenever you say something, if you want to say it verbally with authority, confidence, credibility or trustworthiness, is to show it," Dr. Griffin explained. "Perception is a reality, that's the key. You want to be able to make sure you create a congruent message verbally and nonverbally."

Dr. Griffin used an experience of a past interview as an example. He asked a candidate whether or not he had liked his previous job. The candidate responded that he did like his past job but while doing so he shrugged. This nonverbal communication contradicted his answer and led Dr. Griffin to question if the candidate was being completely honest.

Interviewees should be cautious and aware of the messages their nonverbal cues send to the interviewer because these cues can interfere with their verbal messages. To ensure messages are being translated as intended, all channels of communication should align with one another.

In order to avoid making nonverbal mishaps, candidates should devote time to practicing their nonverbal skills in order to strengthen them. An easy place to start is to work on being more observant. Dr. Griffin explained the reason so many people have poor nonverbal skills is because they don't use their eyes.

"If you're communicating with someone and you're looking down or looking at your phone or doing anything and you're not looking at them, you can't pick up the cues," Dr. Griffin said. "You can pick up the tone in their voice from your ears, but a lot of it is coming from their face and their body movement and their orientation; if you're not looking at it, you're not picking it up. The antennas are their eyes, and they don't have them tuned in."

Lowrey suggests practicing communication skills by doing a mock interview to receive feedback on both verbal and nonverbal communication, including your handshake. She said the feedback can be applied as candidates continue to practice alone or with others. Lowrey also offered advice for candidates who worry that their nerves may interfere with what they're trying to communicate.

"One of the best ways to calm nerves is to make sure you're prepared prior to the interview," Lowrey noted. "When you arrive dressed professionally and you've gone through a mock interview, your confidence is higher. Make sure you research the employer thoroughly and have appropriate questions to ask. Taking some deep breaths can also help. For those who talk faster when nervous, an effort should be made to slow down a bit. And, remember to smile occasionally. In addition to being positive in communication, smiling can help you relax."

Preparing to interview for a potential new job can be overwhelming and stressful for anyone, even candidates with a large interview schema. However, having a solid understanding of nonverbal communication puts an interviewee one step ahead of their competitors by being able to demonstrate their ability as an effective communicator.

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Silently Sealing the Deal: Nonverbal Interview Communication - Platform Magazine

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Published on October 31, 2018, at 3:45 p.m. by McClelland Schilling. When preparing for an interview, interviewees spend countless hours researching the company, preparing for anticipated questions and picking out the perfect interview outfit. While these are all important and those who wish to execute a successful interview should dedicate time to these areas, there [...]

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Nonverbal Communication and Body Language - HelpGuide.org

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Learn how to understand and use body language in ways that build better relationships at home and work.

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 How Contradicting Can Impact Job Interviews

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 How Contradicting Can Impact Job Interviews

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Contradicting can impact me personally in job interviews, by if I am contradicting the verbal statements I make with my nonverbal communication. This can make me seem non geniune about what I am saying.

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an example of poor contradicting communication. If she fixed her posture and used better nonverbal communication skills her point would be taken better.

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Contradicting is sending a non-verbal message that disagrees with what is being said. This can be done deliberately in order to confuse. It also may happen subconsciously when lying.

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Control can impact me personally in job interviews, by if I want to say something in response to what the interviewer has said I can raise my hand with one finger up as to indicate I have something to add without using verbal communication and being taking as rude for interrupting.

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Repeating can impact me personally in job interviews, by using nonverbal messages such as raising an eyebrow, nodding, etc to "repeat" what I said verbally with nonverbal movement.

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How Substituting Can Impact Job Interviews

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How Substituting Can Impact Job Interviews

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Substituting can impact me personally in job interviews, by if they are continuously talking about a subject nodding to show I understand instead of verbally saying "okay" to show I understand what they are saying.

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It's not always what you say, but it's how you say it.

Much of our communication is portrayed by our nonverbal cues and gestures, emphasizing our message or confusing it.

Adults and children routinely express their energy through nonverbal cues in their face, vocal tone, and body movements.

Enhancing or transferring our communication through body language can include eye contact, gestures, and facial expressions. Each person uses nonverbal cues daily, and most of the time, we are not purposefully controlling them.

Why nonverbal communication is important

As previously stated, our expressions and body movements add to what we are saying. In a best-case scenario, our nonverbal expressions support our message and help the other person understand the overall message.

Nonverbal communication can also be used independently of verbal communication. For instance, baseball coaches routinely use nonverbal communication to communicate with the player in the batter's box.

Because nonverbal communication is often difficult to control, it can provide a different message indicating a person is being dishonest. They can also show the fact that you may be upset, closed off, or reserved.

One of the benefits of nonverbal communication is filling in the gaps where words would fall short. For instance, a hug or pat on the back can be much more meaningful to someone going through a hard time.

11 of the most powerful nonverbal communication examples

We know how these cues can influence what we want to communicate, so we must understand the different methods and use them to our benefit.

1. Appearance and personal hygiene

How you present yourself through your appearance can significantly help or hurt your message.

If you go into a job interview smelling like you recently ran a marathon or your clothes are dirty and have holes in them, it doesn't matter what you say. The pungent odor and appearance of your nonverbal cues are going to speak louder than any words you communicate.

2. Gestures

By moving your hand gestures in a complimenting manner to your speech, you can emphasize a point or help keep your audience engaged. Some people "talk" with their hands so much it becomes a distraction. Controlling our body movements and using them to emphasize our verbal communication is a powerful tool.

3. Facial expressions

Another obvious choice, facial expressions can show disgust or excitement, often without us even knowing what we are communicating.

Our faces have a way of showing what we are thinking even when we are trying to hide it. An overall lack of expression also communicates disinterest, so keep in mind that the lack of nonverbal communication also sends a message.

This is one of the most powerful examples of nonverbal communication. Eye contact can tell the other person you are engaged and interested in what they have to say.

However, eye contact can also be a way of showing dominance. Extended focused eye contact can intimidate and make others uncomfortable, while avoiding eye contact can communicate a lack of confidence.

5. Paralinguistics

Paralinguistics is the use of vocal tones, volumes, pitch, and inflections. Different from verbal communication, these elements can significantly enhance your verbal message.

6. Movement

Separate from gestures, overall body movement is a strong communication element. For instance, someone sitting with their arms crossed can show they are defensive, uncomfortable, or reserved. Clenched fists can show aggression. How your overall body moves and behaves is constantly sending messages to others.

7. Positioning

When you communicate with another person, most people are comfortable with a few feet of space between them. We have all experienced people who have trouble understanding "personal space," which can quickly influence our own feelings and emotions.

Using verbal cues associated with anger can be accented by closing the distance and getting in another person's personal space.

8. Physical touch

As stated in an earlier example, a hug or a gentle pat on the back can comfort another person and show empathy.

Similar to the nonverbal example of positioning, some people are a little too "touchy-feely." While physical touch can portray compassion and concern, it can also be borderline creepy if used frequently.

9. Avatars and other representations

One that is often overlooked, how you represent yourself digitally has a significant impact on your overall communication. What you use for your email icon or signature says a lot about you.

Whether intended or not, you are communicating specific facts about yourself with digital representations. The less professional your avatars are, the less people may value what you verbally say.

10. Posture

When speaking or listening to someone, if you lean forward in your chair, you demonstrate you are interested and engaged with the other person. However, slouching with your arms and legs crossed communicates a disinterest in being part of the conversation.

11. Physiology

One of the more difficult nonverbal communication cues to control, your physiology can also tell a story.

For instance, extremely nervous people may start to sweat or blink rapidly. Increased breathing rates can show excitement or panic. Physiology cues are by far the most difficult to control.

Using nonverbal communication examples to your advantage

In previous examples, we discussed how crossing your arms could communicate a defensive or uninterested position.

However, you may be fully engaged, but this body position was the most comfortable position to be in at the moment. Pay attention to what you are saying with your nonverbal cues and adjust them if they do not match what you are trying to communicate.

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The 11 most powerful non-verbal communication cues you should know

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It's not always what you say, but it's how you say it. Much of our communication is portrayed by our nonverbal cues and gestures, emphasizing our message or confusing it. Adults and children routinely express their energy through nonverbal cues in their face, vocal tone, and body movements.

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Take Control of Your Nonverbal Communication

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Nick Morgan, author of Power Cues, explains how to master your unconscious behavior to command influence.

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This is a great example of control, since the student is using nonverbal communication to signal he wants to talk and take control over the conversation.

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Now that you know how reading the nonverbal cues of hiring managers can improve your chances of job interview success, this week I've focused on the nonverbal mistakes (your own) to avoid during interviews.

While the most important aspect of the interview should be the content of your answers, the interaction you have with the hiring manager is also important, even the nonverbal communication. Good nonverbal communication can help you establish a positive connection, whereas bad/strange nonverbal communication can be, well, odd and sometimes even a little unsettling if you're the hiring manager.

Here are seven nonverbal mistakes to avoid during your next job interview:

Unusual handshake. A "limp fish" handshake (too soft) can signify insecurity, while a "handshake of steel" (too hard) can project arrogance. A handshake lasting way too long tells hiring managers you might be trying overly hard to impress them and that you might stretch the truth about your accomplishments, knowledge or experience.

Poor or too much eye contact. Poor eye contact can signify that you aren't interested in the position. At the other end of the spectrum, too much eye contact can be intimidating and turn the interview into a stare down.

Out of control gestures. These include constantly tapping a foot, shaking a leg, clicking a pen or too many hand and arm gestures - and they take attention away from you. I once interviewed a woman who kept using big arm gestures while she talked. She knocked over both our cups of coffee... and the interview went downhill from there.

Lack of facial expression. Humans have emotions, so when you don't smile or emote any type of positive facial expression during an interview, it can be a turnoff for hiring managers.

Poor posture. Leaning back and crossing your arms and/or legs can come across as either not interested in the discussion or as overly confident or arrogant.

Odd attire. Clothing can have a negative impact if they're inconsistent with the position or the company culture. I once interviewed a man for a marketing manager position at a conservative health-care company who came to the interview dressed like John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever." His unbuttoned shirt, exposed hairy chest and loads of necklaces didn't fit the position, company or industry.

Clearing throat. While you might consider this verbal communication, I'm including it on the list. For some people, clearing their throat can be a habit that gets worse when they're nervous. During job interviews, it can be distracting to the hiring manager. Try drinking some warm tea with honey in it before your interview to see if it helps soothe your throat or have a glass of water handy during the interview. Then when you feel a need to clear your throat, drink a sip of water instead.

Most managers don't make hiring decisions based solely on a candidate's nonverbal communication, but they do use the cues to help them determine if a candidate will be a good cultural fit. To increase your chances of interview success, be consciously aware of your nonverbal communication and avoid these seven mistakes.
Lisa Quast is the author of Secrets of a Hiring Manager Turned Career Coach: A Foolproof Guide to Getting the Job You Want. Every Time.

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7 Nonverbal Mistakes To Avoid Making During Job Interviews

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Now that you know how reading the nonverbal cues of hiring managers can improve your chances of job interview success, this week I've focused on the nonverbal mistakes (your own) to avoid during interviews. While the most important aspect of the interview should be the content of your answers, the interaction you have with the hiring manager is also important, even the nonverbal communication.

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Do you seem engaged in meetings?

How to appear thoughtful and engaged without saying a word

You've got a bunch of meetings coming up, but do you have your nodding strategy ready?

A solid nodding strategy could mean the difference between seeming like you understand what's going on and losing a job.

More seasoned professionals may think they can just nod the same way they did in their last meeting, but that's not an option - people will notice. Consider this: when someone's nodding the wrong way don't you immediately lose trust in them? I know I do.

To help you keep your nodding game fresh, here are nine nodding strategies you can choose from for your next meeting.

Use this nod when you want to pretend you're considering something. It says "that could work," while also saying it's not the best idea, and you're still waiting to hear something that'll really blow you away.

Hope this helps you find the perfect nod to fit your particular meeting situation so that no one will ever suspect you aren't really listening. If you enjoyed this, hit the green "Recommend" heart button below!

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9 Nodding Strategies for Your Next Meeting

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You've got a bunch of meetings coming up, but do you have your nodding strategy ready? A solid nodding strategy could mean the difference between seeming like you understand what's going on and losing a job. More seasoned professionals may think they can just nod the same way they did in their last meeting, but that's not an option - people will notice.

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What is substituting in nonverbal communication?

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Substitution: It can substitute for a verbal message. For example, your facial expression often conveys a far more vivid message than words ever can. Complementing: It may add to or complement your verbal message.

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There are many forms of non-verbal communication, and understanding how to use these expressions can be a great way to improve relationships with coworkers. Together with verbal communication, non-verbal cues can be an influential part of the workplace and its productivity. In this article, you can learn more about non-verbal communication, why it is important and how you can improve your non-verbal communication skills.

What is non-verbal communication?

Non-verbal communication is the process by which someone uses facial expressions, gestures or body positioning (body language) to directly or indirectly communicate their feelings toward a person, idea or situation. Non-verbal communication can be displayed through gestures and expressions during a verbal interaction to unconsciously express one's true thoughts about the conversation. Or, non-verbal signals can be displayed simply when someone is not actively engaged in a conversation that they should be participating in.

Why is non-verbal communication important at work?

Non-verbal communication is important at work because it can provide your coworkers, supervisor or employees with insights into how you feel about certain situations or topics. When used correctly, non-verbal cues can create feelings of trust, understanding and a sense of value in the receiver. However, when negative non-verbal expressions are used during an interaction that contradicts what you are saying, this can create feelings of mistrust, unease and confusion in the recipient. By being conscious of the non-verbal signals you are displaying during a professional interaction, you can prevent any sort of misinterpretation and continue to healthy professional relationships within the workplace

Types of non-verbal communication

Here are the different types of non-verbal communication that are commonly used on a daily basis:

Eye contact

The amount of eye contact a person uses can demonstrate the focus of attention or trust in the person they are speaking with. It can also be used to evaluate an individual's self-confidence.

Facial expressions

Facial expressions can be useful in interpreting an individual's attitude or feelings about a topic. Smiling, frowning or raising of the eyebrows are all types of facial expressions.

Gestures

Gestures can refer to the way an individual uses their hands and other parts of their body in their communication. Pointing, shrugging of shoulders, shaking of the head, slouching, arms crossed or tapping of the feet are all examples of gestures.

Body positioning

The way that an individual position themselves during a conversation can also act as a form of non-verbal communication. For example, crossing one's legs is considered to indicate feelings of unease or mistrust, whereas when someone sits with both feet on the ground this suggests openness.

Tone of voice

The tone of one's voice when speaking can also be an indicator of how they feel about a topic. Sarcasm is a good example where an individual uses their tone of voice to contradict what they are saying.

Touch

An individual's tendency to shake hands with someone, give them a pat on the back or hug them can also be an indicator of meaning.

Space

Space is another non-verbal communication signal. The degree to which someone stands or sits in proximity to another person can suggest their level of comfort or trust with that person.

Common non-verbal communication methods

Here are a few examples of the kinds of messages you can create using different types of non-verbal communication:

Substitution

You can use non-verbal cues as a substitute for spoken words in order to communicate a message to a recipient. For example, you might smile at a coworker in passing. This lets them know that you acknowledge them and are happy to see them without saying the word 'hi.'

Accentuation

Accentuation is a non-verbal communication method you can use to add additional meaning to your verbal communication. For example, your coworker might give you a high-five while congratulating you on the completion of an assignment. Alternatively, a supervisor might pound on the table during a meeting to emphasize the importance of what they are telling you.

Positive affirmation

Similar to accentuation, positive affirmation can be used with verbal communication to enhance the truthfulness of a positive message. For example, your supervisor might smile while also shaking your hand and thanking you for taking on an additional task, or your employee might place their hands together while expressing their gratitude for you agreeing to a more flexible work schedule.

Repetition

Repetition can be a useful non-verbal communication method to reiterate a point being made. For example, while your coworker is giving a sales presentation, he continually uses his hands to point out important figures on a sales chart to emphasize the data he is explaining. This creates meaning through the repetitive use of non-verbal signals in coordination with their verbal message.

Contradiction

Contradiction is a non-verbal communication method that can cause confusion when used unconsciously. An example of contradiction could be seen through the lack of eye contact during an interaction. For instance, if you ask a coworker if it's okay to play music, and your coworker says yes but avoids eye contact and does not demonstrate positive facial expressions, it could be interpreted that they are not pleased with the idea of music being played while working.

Best ways to improve non-verbal communication

Here are a few ways you can try to improve your non-verbal communication practices in your daily work environment:

Be mindful of the non-verbal messages you are exhibiting

A helpful way to improve your non-verbal communication tactics is by being mindful of the non-verbal signals you are giving off while engaged in a conversation. Correct areas such as eye contact, posture or facial expressions to accurately demonstrate your thoughts.

Practice emotional awareness

Equally as important as being mindful of your own non-verbal cues is your ability to identify the non-verbal cues of others who you are engaged in a conversation with. Watch for gestures such as fidgeting, maintaining good eye contact, and their facial expression and tone of voice matching their spoken message. Being aware of body language and non-verbal signals can help you better understand the other person and their message.

Engage in communication opportunities

Try to attend professional networking events and other social opportunities where you can practice monitoring and assessing the non-verbal communication of others.

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Non Verbal Communication in the Workplace

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There are many forms of non-verbal communication, and understanding how to use these expressions can be a great way to improve relationships with coworkers. Together with verbal communication, non-verbal cues can be an influential part of the workplace and its productivity.

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Nonverbal communication is a natural way of communicating through body language -- from your face, to your feet. Most of us don't think about it, especially in daily, informal conversations and interactions. In professional or important situations like a job interview, however, you want to be aware of what messages you may be sending nonverbally to ensure they are consistent with what you are saying. Ask friends for honest feedback on your nonverbal communication in a practice interview so you know that how you say something and how you listen is consistent with your words and not distracting.

Definition

Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, the tone and volume of your voice, and body movements such as posture, hand gestures and how you handle personal space, including touching someone. These communication actions reinforce what you say verbally. For example, if you are excited about a specific job responsibility, moving slightly forward in your chair and smiling reinforce that message to the prospective employer. If you slouch and have a disinterested look on your face, your nonverbal communication is contradicting or substituting a message for your verbal one. Nonverbal communication can't be faked, but it can be managed.

Importance and Impact

Research findings published in 2011 in "Psychology Today" indicate that while nonverbal communication is not more important than what you say aloud in an interview, it can cause misgivings if it doesn't match your verbal communication. For example, saying you don't mind traveling with a dour expression sends conflicting messages. Similarly, if you concentrate heavily on your nonverbal communication, believing it can boost a weakness in knowledge or experience, think again. Consistency between verbal and nonverbal cues is the most effective. Demonstrating a genuine interest, controlling your nervousness and displaying a positive outlook are important behaviors you can practice.

Practice your handshake. Make sure it is firm -- not limp, but not overly aggressive either. During the interview, don't hold anything that prevents you from using your hands naturally during the interview, like a pencil or purse. Hand gestures are natural as long as they are not distracting or excessive. Keep your hands away from your face so the interviewer can make eye contact and see your expressions. Never use your hands to display nervousness, such as tapping on a desk, twirling your hair or adjusting your tie.

Your Eyes and Posture

Don't fix your gaze on your interviewer, but maintain steady eye contact for at least five seconds, glance away briefly, then re-establish contact. If there are several interviewers, do this with each one, giving full attention to the person asking the question. Eighty percent of your interview time should be spent maintaining eye contact. Your posture should be relaxed, but at attention. Sit more at the edge of your seat than all the way back; this will help keep your back straight. If you have a nervous habit such as tapping your feet, practice controlling it before the interview.

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Nonverbal Communication in Interviews. Nonverbal communication is a natural way of communicating through body language -- from your face, to your feet. Most of us don't think about it, especially in daily, informal conversations and interactions. In professional or important situations like a job interview, however, ...