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Nonverbal communication...what is it? Well "Nonverbal communication, also called manual language, is the process of sending and receiving messages without using words, either spoke or written. Similar to the way that italicizing emphasizes written language, nonverbal behavior may emphasize parts of verbal messages." - thoughtco.com

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Nonverbal communication is the process of sending and receiving messages without using words, either spoken or written.

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In a job interview, facial expressions display a great importance. Here is a reason why. "Facial expressions include eye movements, raising or furrowing your eyebrows and mouth movements. The benefit of using your facial expressions to communicate your feelings is the many cultures understand facial expressions in the same ways." - indeed.com

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Oh boy, waiting is the most nerve racking part of the experience (trust me I know). But "it’s also your chance to get your body language under control from the start. Be aware that the receptionist and other people may be observing you. Focus on your posture when you’re sitting and standing. Keep your back and neck straight and stand or sit still as much as you can. Keep your belongings to your left so it’s easy to shake people’s hands when the time comes." - resumecoach.com

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Nonverbal Communication Tips for Job Interviews

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Create your resume now Job interviews are the employers chance to meet candidates face-to-face. Not only will the employer have a list of specific questions to ask you about your resume and your ability to do the job, they also want to see what you're like.

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What is verbal communication? Verbal communication is "Verbal communication is the use of words to share information with other people. It can therefore include both spoken and written communication. However, many people use the term to describe only spoken communication. The verbal element of communication is all about the words that you choose, and how they are heard and interpreted." - skillsyouneed.com

Read more at: https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/verbal-communication.html

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Verbal communication is the use of words to share information with other people. It can therefore include both spoken and written communication. However, many people use the term to describe only spoken communication. The verbal element of communication is all about the words that you choose, and how they are heard and interpreted.

This page focuses on spoken communication. However, the choice of words can be equally-if not more-important in written communication, where there is little or no non-verbal communication to help with the interpretation of the message.

What is Verbal Communication?

Verbal communication is any communication that uses words to share information with others. These words may be both spoken and written.

Communication is a two-way process

Communication is about passing information from one person to another.
This means that both the sending and the receiving of the message are equally important.
Verbal communication therefore requires both a speaker (or writer) to transmit the message, and a listener (or reader) to make sense of the message. This page discusses both parts of the process.

There are a large number of different verbal communication skills. They range from the obvious (being able to speak clearly, or listening, for example), to the more subtle (such as reflecting and clarifying). This page provides a summary of these skills, and shows where you can find out more.
It is important to remember that effective verbal communication cannot be fully isolated from non-verbal communication: your body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, for example.
Clarity of speech, remaining calm and focused, being polite and following some basic rules of etiquette will all aid the process of verbal communication.

Opening Communication

In many interpersonal encounters, the first few minutes are extremely important. First impressions have a significant impact on the success of further and future communication.

When you first meet someone, you form an instant impression of them, based on how they look, sound and behave, as well as anything you may have heard about them from other people.
This first impression guides your future communications, at least to some extent.
For example, when you meet someone and hear them speak, you form a judgement about their background, and likely level of ability and understanding. This might well change what you say. If you hear a foreign accent, for example, you might decide that you need to use simpler language. You might also realise that you will need to listen more carefully to ensure that you understand what they are saying to you.

Of course your first impression may be revised later. You should ensure that you consciously 'update' your thinking when you receive new information about your contact and as you get to know them better.

Basic Verbal Communication Skills: Effective Speaking and Listening

Effective speaking involves three main areas: the words you choose, how you say them, and how you reinforce them with other non-verbal communication.

All these affect the transmission of your message, and how it is received and understood by your audience.

It is worth considering your choice of words carefully. You will probably need to use different words in different situations, even when discussing the same subject. For example, what you say to a close colleague will be very different from how you present a subject at a major conference.

How you speak includes your tone of voice and pace. Like non-verbal communication more generally, these send important messages to your audience, for example, about your level of interest and commitment, or whether you are nervous about their reaction.

There is more about this in our page on Non-Verbal Communication: Face and Voice.
Active listening is an important skill. However, when we communicate, we tend to spend far more energy considering what we are going to say than listening to the other person.
Effective listening is vital for good verbal communication. There are a number of ways that you can ensure that you listen more effectively. These include:

Be prepared to listen. Concentrate on the speaker, and not on how you are going to reply.

Keep an open mind and avoid making judgements about the speaker.

Concentrate on the main direction of the speaker's message. Try to understand broadly what they are trying to say overall, as well as the detail of the words that they are using.

Avoid distractions if at all possible. For example, if there is a lot of background noise, you might suggest that you go somewhere else to talk.

Be objective.

Do not be trying to think of your next question while the other person is giving information.

Do not dwell on one or two points at the expense of others. Try to use the overall picture and all the information that you have.

Do not stereotype the speaker. Try not to let prejudices associated with, for example, gender, ethnicity, accent, social class, appearance or dress interfere with what is being said (see Personal Appearance).

There is more information in our pages on Listening Skills.

Improving Verbal Communication: More Advanced Techniques

There are a number of tools and techniques that you can use to improve the effectiveness of your verbal communication. These include reinforcement, reflection, clarification, and questioning.

Reinforcement

Reinforcement is the use of encouraging words alongside non-verbal gestures such as head nods, a warm facial expression and maintaining eye contact.

All these help to build rapport and are more likely to reinforce openness in others. The use of encouragement and positive reinforcement can:

Encourage others to participate in discussion (particularly in group work);

Show interest in what other people have to say;

Pave the way for development and/or maintenance of a relationship;

Allay fears and give reassurance;

Show warmth and openness; and

Reduce shyness or nervousness in ourselves and others.

Questioning

Questioning is broadly how we obtain information from others on specific topics.

Questioning is an essential way of clarifying areas that are unclear or test your understanding. It can also enable you to explicitly seek support from others.

On a more social level, questioning is also a useful technique to start conversations, draw someone into a conversation, or simply show interest. Effective questioning is therefore an essential element of verbal communication.

We use two main types of question:

Closed Questions

Closed questions tend to seek only a one or two word answer (often simply 'yes' or 'no'). They therefore limit the scope of the response. Two examples of closed questions are:

"Did you travel by car today?" and
"Did you see the football game yesterday?"

These types of question allow the questioner to remain in control of the communication. This is often not the desired outcome when trying to encourage verbal communication, so many people try to focus on using open questions more often. Nevertheless, closed questions can be useful for focusing discussion and obtaining clear, concise answers when needed.

Open Questions

Open questions demand further discussion and elaboration. They therefore broaden the scope for response. They include, for example,

"What was the traffic like this morning?"
"What do you feel you would like to gain from this discussion?"

Open questions will take longer to answer, but they give the other person far more scope for self-expression and encourage involvement in the conversation.

For more on questioning see our pages: Questioning and Types of Question.

Reflecting and Clarifying

Reflecting is the process of feeding back to another person your understanding of what has been said.

Reflecting is a specialised skill often used within counselling, but it can also be applied to a wide range of communication contexts and is a useful skill to learn.

Reflecting often involves paraphrasing the message communicated to you by the speaker in your own words. You need to try to capture the essence of the facts and feelings expressed, and communicate your understanding back to the speaker. It is a useful skill because:

You can check that you have understood the message clearly.

The speaker gets feedback about how the message has been received and can then clarify or expand if they wish.

It shows interest in, and respect for, what the other person has to say.

You are demonstrating that you are considering the other person's viewpoint.

Summarising

A summary is an overview of the main points or issues raised.

Summarising can also serve the same purpose as 'reflecting'. However, summarising allows both parties to review and agree the message, and ensure that communication has been effective. When used effectively, summaries may also serve as a guide to the next steps forward.

Closing Communication

The way a communication is closed or ended will, at least in part, determine the way a conversation is remembered.

People use both verbal and non-verbal signals to end a conversation.

Verbal signals may include phrases such as:
"Well, I must be going," and
"Thank you so much, that's really helpful."

Non-verbal conclusions may include starting to avoid eye contact, standing up, turning away, or behaviours such as looking at a watch or closing notepads or books. These non-verbal actions indicate to the other person that the initiator wishes to end the communication.
People often use a mixture of these, but tend to start with the non-verbal signals, especially face-to-face. On the telephone, of course, verbal cues are essential.
Closing an interaction too abruptly may not allow the other person to 'round off' what he or she is saying so you should ensure there is time for winding-up. The closure of an interaction is a good time to make any future arrangements. Last, but not least, this time will no doubt be accompanied by a number of socially acceptable parting gestures.

Further Reading from Skills You Need
Our Communication Skills eBooks
Learn more about the key communication skills you need to be a more effective communicator.

Our eBooks are ideal for anyone who wants to learn about or develop their interpersonal skills and are full of easy-to-follow, practical information.

Only part of the picture

It is vital to remember that any communication is made up of the sum of its parts.

Verbal communication is an important element, but only part of the overall message conveyed. Some research suggests that the verbal element is, in fact, a very small part of the overall message: just 20 to 30%. This is still, however, significant, and it is worth spending time to improve your verbal communication skills.

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Verbal communication is the use of words to share information with other people. It can therefore include both spoken and written communication. However, many people use the term to describe only spoken communication. The verbal element of communication is all about the words that you choose, and how they are heard and interpreted.

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I know we are all used to saying "uh", "you know", and "like" when we talk but in a interview, you shouldn't do it; because it's not professional, it's shows that you're kind of lazy when you speak, and it'll probably annoy the hiring manager. There basically red flags in a interview setting.

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Non-verbal Communication:

Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake.

Maintain steady eye contact - it shows sincerity and helps establish rapport.

Communicate positive facial expressions and speech qualities.

Demonstrate enthusiasm and interest by good posture and friendly smiles.

Dress in conservative business attire (see the suggested dress list).

Refrain from squirming or any other unintentional nervous behaviors.

Verbal Communication:

Allow the interviewer to direct your interview and never interrupt.

Use clear, concise answers - don't ramble.

Don't use fillers when answering questions, such as "you know," "uh," or "like"

Don't exaggerate and don't be negative about any thing in any way.

Listen to what is being asked and answer appropriately.

Use proper grammar - no slang or dangling participles.

Maintain an appropriate sense of humor.

Don't make excuses for yourself or put yourself down.

Interview Etiquette

Call two days before the interview to confirm the date, time, location and the name of the interviewer.

Ask if there will be any testing or forms to fill out when you arrive.

Arrive 10 minutes early to the building (within 5 minutes to the office)

Introduce yourself to the staff when you arrive.

Don't refer to the interviewer by their first name (unless given permission).

Be polite and honest while being careful to not talk more than warranted.

Make sure you obtain the correct spelling, address, and phone number of all who interviewed you or ask for business cards.

Thank the interviewer for the meeting and continue to convey a positive attitude.

Post Interview

Send a thank you note to everyone who interviewed you (mentioning those who helped you at the front desk) within 24 hours. The letter should include thanking the interviewer for the opportunity and their time, a reminder of when and why you met, and confirm that you are highly interested in the job. The note can be sent electronically or in the form of a thank you note card. If hand written, be sure to use your best penmanship, and check your writing carefully for any errors. Do not cross out mistakes.

If you are no longer interested in the position, politely ask to be removed from the candidate pool without burning your bridges.

Clarify anything from the interview you think appropriate to ensure effective communication.

If appropriate, indicate your interest in a follow-up interview.

If time has passed regarding the date in which you were informed that a decision would be made, follow-up with a phone call or e-mail to check on your status. Express your interest in the position, and ask if there is anything you could do to help in the process e.g., do they need you to provide another reference? Hopefully, you will be told the status of the interviewing situation and when you will be notified.

Rejection Letters

Nearly all job seekers will receive rejection letters. If you really want to make an impression, consider sending a thank you note to the employer. This is very rarely done, and it will give you one last opportunity to thank the employer for their professionalism, and you can indicate your continued interest in the organization. Also state your interest in being considered for future opportunities.

Turning Down Offers

If you receive an offer that does not meet your needs or if you have already accepted employment with someone else, send a letter or e-mail to graciously decline the position, indicating why you made this decision. It is always best to put this in writing even if you gave the employer a verbal decline. This will document your decision, and it may help to maintain communication lines for future contacts, if that becomes necessary.

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Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake. Maintain steady eye contact - it shows sincerity and helps establish rapport. Communicate positive facial expressions and speech qualities. Demonstrate enthusiasm and interest by good posture and friendly smiles. Dress in conservative business attire (see the suggested dress list).

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Being clear and concise is important because the interviewee is nine times out of ten is not looking for a really long answer, but a short clear and concise answer; and I'm using indeed again haha I know I know. Here's a tip on how to do this "Keep your answers to the point. Be clear and direct with your questions and your answers, even if you are asked a question that encourages an in-depth response. Aim to express yourself with the fewest words you can."
For example:
Hiring manager: "It seems like you only stayed at the play area supervisor job for four months. That's a pretty short time, especially compared to all your other jobs. Can you tell me what happened here?"
Candidate: "Sure. I took the job while I was looking for assistant teaching positions right after I had moved to Miami. One suddenly opened up at a preschool very close to my home. My supervisor at the play area was understanding, and I filled in on weekends and evenings until she was able to find my replacement.”
The candidates answer was not too long but not too short, it was clear and straight to the point. These type of answers you need to have whenever a hiring manager ask you questions.

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Positive verbal communication is the use of speaking skills that help you present the best aspects of yourself in the context of the job for which you are applying. When combined with positive nonverbal communication, such as smiles, upright posture and a firm handshake, a job candidate can leave an excellent impression on the hiring managers with whom they interviewed. In this article, we provide examples of positive verbal communication skills to show best practices for an interview setting.

Types of verbal communication for interviews

The way you speak to the person who is interviewing you will set the tone for how you are perceived throughout the interview, and if you get the position, during your tenure at the company. Here are some aspects of verbal communication that can help candidates present a positive impression during a job interview:

Using appropriate pitch and volume

Speaking tone and volume can help create a positive first impression. Maintain a medium volume, not loud enough to be perceived as irritating or arrogant and not soft enough to be viewed as timid. A pleasantly pitched voice of medium volume can show an understanding of the situation and etiquette and will show that you are comfortable in your surroundings while respecting the gravity of the situation.

Active listening skills

To speak well, it is first important to listen well. Make sure you pay close attention to the words of the interviewer and stay focused on their words rather than on the room or noises coming from outside. You can show you are listening by nodding, smiling or by the use of words and phrases such as, "I see," or "That's interesting," or "I'll definitely note that point." You can also write any interesting points that you may want to refer to later.

Responsiveness

Good conversation will carry back and forth between interviewer and interviewee. If the interviewer makes a suggestion. that shows that they may want you to interject, do so even if the sentence wasn't phrased as a question. If the interviewer pauses, then take your cue and pick up the thread of conversation. Here's an example:

Hiring manager: "Your last work experience seems to be an unusual choice for you."

Candidate: "Yes, it was the first time I had worked for a museum or large research facility such as the Brampton Aquarium & Research Center. As you can see from my resume, my previous work experience had always been with pet stores, but I had always enjoyed the educational aspect of my job and thought I would find more of that at the museum. While I did greatly enjoy my time cleaning the tanks, I missed the interactions with customers-particularly with children looking to buy their first pet! I learned a great deal about the care of aquatic life at the research center, and now I'm happy to pass that knowledge along to my customers at Tropical Fish Stores."

Being clear and concise

Keep your answers to the point. Be clear and direct with your questions and your answers, even if you are asked a question that encourages an in-depth response. Aim to express yourself with the fewest words you can. For example:

Hiring manager: "It seems like you only stayed at the play area supervisor job for four months. That's a pretty short time, especially compared to all your other jobs. Can you tell me what happened here?"

Candidate: "Sure. I took the job while I was looking for assistant teaching positions right after I had moved to Miami. One suddenly opened up at a preschool very close to my home. My supervisor at the play area was understanding, and I filled in on weekends and evenings until she was able to find my replacement."

Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses, but discuss how you're trying to improve. This strategy can provide a clear understanding of what you're capable of and what you may need additional training on when you are hired. For example:

Hiring manager: "I see that you've always worked the sales floor before, but this job we are interviewing you for is more of a backroom position. You won't be out with the customers, you'll be restocking shelves and bringing sizes to the sales team. Are you comfortable with that?"

Candidate: "I really enjoy customer interaction and the back and forth of helping them find the perfect pair of shoes. I would love to do that again. But I also love shoes, and I don't mind spending my time surrounded by them in the back room. I have always hoped to work at this company, and if I have to start in the stock room, I will do my best at it."

Using humor

Humor serves many purposes, such as putting people at ease, reducing tension, allowing people to make connections and cheering people up. It also acts as a bridge in allowing someone to bypass formalities to get to know you better. Using light humor during an interview can be a helpful form of verbal communication, but it should be done sparingly. Humor in an interview should pertain to matters at hand.

It is also wise to take the hiring manager's lead when it comes to using humor. If they start joking with you, you can also follow with a light-hearted sentence or two. However, if the interviewer presents a more serious approach, it is wise to follow suit.

Being polite

Good manners are always a wise policy to use. Use greetings when you arrive and when you leave and introduce yourself to everyone in the room if there is more than one interviewer. Accept water or coffee if it is being served to everyone, but decline if you are offered but no one else is drinking anything. Apologize if you accidentally interrupt someone while speaking and acknowledge others' statements. When you leave, make sure you thank everyone in the room for their time. Examples of phrases you can use include:

When you arrive:
"Good morning. Thank you so much for this opportunity." "Hello, I'm Ella McBride. It's nice to meet you."
During the interview:
"Pardon the interruption." "I'm sorry; please continue."
After the interview:
"Thank you for this opportunity." "I appreciate your time." "I look forward to speaking with you again soon."
Asking questions

If you are allowed to do so, ask questions to the interviewer. Doing this not only will help you collect more information about your potential employer, but it will also show your genuine interest. For example:
"I understand that your company takes part in volunteer activities regularly. When is your next volunteer project, and what charity are you working with?" "Earlier, you mentioned opportunities to create a larger social media presence for the company. Is that something you are planning to outsource, or is it something that could be added to this position?"

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8 Types of Positive Verbal Communication for Interviewing

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Positive verbal communication is the use of speaking skills that help you present the best aspects of yourself in the context of the job for which you are applying. When combined with positive nonverbal communication, such as smiles, upright posture and a firm handshake, a job candidate can leave an excellent impression on the hiring managers with whom they interviewed.

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In todays world, texting has became a huge thing, people FaceTime one another all the time, and they way they speak through those outlets are not grammatical or they use slang. In a interview, that's not allowed. You need to able to conduct your words in the most professional way possible, use complete sentences, and avoid slang at all costs.

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Non-verbal Communication:

Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake.

Maintain steady eye contact - it shows sincerity and helps establish rapport.

Communicate positive facial expressions and speech qualities.

Demonstrate enthusiasm and interest by good posture and friendly smiles.

Dress in conservative business attire (see the suggested dress list).

Refrain from squirming or any other unintentional nervous behaviors.

Verbal Communication:

Allow the interviewer to direct your interview and never interrupt.

Use clear, concise answers - don't ramble.

Don't use fillers when answering questions, such as "you know," "uh," or "like"

Don't exaggerate and don't be negative about any thing in any way.

Listen to what is being asked and answer appropriately.

Use proper grammar - no slang or dangling participles.

Maintain an appropriate sense of humor.

Don't make excuses for yourself or put yourself down.

Interview Etiquette

Call two days before the interview to confirm the date, time, location and the name of the interviewer.

Ask if there will be any testing or forms to fill out when you arrive.

Arrive 10 minutes early to the building (within 5 minutes to the office)

Introduce yourself to the staff when you arrive.

Don't refer to the interviewer by their first name (unless given permission).

Be polite and honest while being careful to not talk more than warranted.

Make sure you obtain the correct spelling, address, and phone number of all who interviewed you or ask for business cards.

Thank the interviewer for the meeting and continue to convey a positive attitude.

Post Interview

Send a thank you note to everyone who interviewed you (mentioning those who helped you at the front desk) within 24 hours. The letter should include thanking the interviewer for the opportunity and their time, a reminder of when and why you met, and confirm that you are highly interested in the job. The note can be sent electronically or in the form of a thank you note card. If hand written, be sure to use your best penmanship, and check your writing carefully for any errors. Do not cross out mistakes.

If you are no longer interested in the position, politely ask to be removed from the candidate pool without burning your bridges.

Clarify anything from the interview you think appropriate to ensure effective communication.

If appropriate, indicate your interest in a follow-up interview.

If time has passed regarding the date in which you were informed that a decision would be made, follow-up with a phone call or e-mail to check on your status. Express your interest in the position, and ask if there is anything you could do to help in the process e.g., do they need you to provide another reference? Hopefully, you will be told the status of the interviewing situation and when you will be notified.

Rejection Letters

Nearly all job seekers will receive rejection letters. If you really want to make an impression, consider sending a thank you note to the employer. This is very rarely done, and it will give you one last opportunity to thank the employer for their professionalism, and you can indicate your continued interest in the organization. Also state your interest in being considered for future opportunities.

Turning Down Offers

If you receive an offer that does not meet your needs or if you have already accepted employment with someone else, send a letter or e-mail to graciously decline the position, indicating why you made this decision. It is always best to put this in writing even if you gave the employer a verbal decline. This will document your decision, and it may help to maintain communication lines for future contacts, if that becomes necessary.

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Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake. Maintain steady eye contact - it shows sincerity and helps establish rapport. Communicate positive facial expressions and speech qualities. Demonstrate enthusiasm and interest by good posture and friendly smiles. Dress in conservative business attire (see the suggested dress list).

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I am about to use indeed again because this a very good point. "Your voice refers to how you speak, meaning the volume, pace, tone and inflection you use. Your voice can communicate excitement, anger, sarcasm, or confidence." - indeed.com
So, your voice can tell the interviewee how you feel without saying how you feel.