Body Language Dos and Don’tsBody Language Dos and Don’ts

WORK-BASED LEARNING VIRTUAL CAMPUS

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What Message Are You Sending?

Learning Objectives

• To better understand how posture and mannerisms send a message

• Importance of nonverbal communication signals

• Practice professional conduct• Learn the process of preparing for an

interview

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True or False

1. Professionalism can be measured both verbally and nonverbally

2. To appear confident and interested during the interview, sit with your arms crossed over your chest.

3. It is ok to match your interview dress for the type of job you are interviewing for.

4. Do your homework and learn about the company before you go and plan for some well thought out questions you can ask.

5. A firm handshake sends a positive message at the beginning and at the end of the interview

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Be Prepared

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It is your responsibility to learn about the company you are interviewing with. Read up on what their business is about and what is new.

Preparation also includes practicing your responses to questions and having an outfit for interviewing ready to go.

Shake Hands

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Come out strong with a firm handshake.

During the course of your interview watch your mannerisms for any distracting movements such as rocking or tapping your feet.

Keep the focus on your message, not your behaviors to make the best impression!

Smile

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To help keep your attention and to help with showing your self confidence, always remember to SMILE!

It can be your best feature. It can turn around and prompt a positive connection with those interviewing you

Show your Enthusiasm

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Sit up straight and lean slightly forward to show interest in the interviewer.

Do not stare at who has asked a question but engage in good eye contact to stay focused during the interview.

Your posture says a lot about your professionalism and confidence.

Personal Hygiene

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You just never know who might be sensitive to your favorite cologne. So the best practice in preparing for interviews is not to use the perfumes and colognes.

What is critical in interviewing preparation is to practice good personal hygiene. Showering, and clean and pressed clothes are a must!

Offer a Confident Goodbye

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As you prepare for the close of your interview, continue to keep to professional practices and show your confidence.

Reach out again and give a firm handshake to all who were part of the interview room.

You want to leave a strong impression with a positive motion.

What Did You Learn?1. Professionalism can be measured both verbally and

nonverbally True2. To appear confident and interested during the interview, sit

with your arms crossed over your chest. False3. It is ok to match your interview dress for the type of job you

are interviewing for. False4. Do your homework and learn about the company before

you go and plan for some well thought out questions you can ask. True

5. A firm handshake sends a positive message at the beginning and at the end of the interview True

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Assessment• Mock Interviews will be arranged between you and a partner.• Each of you will role play both the interviewer and interviewee and

will critique each other using a rubric guide.• Come prepared with 4 questions you will ask the interviewer• Research on the Internet articles related to preparing for an interview.

Create note cards of 10 facts including suggested questions, dress and behavior tips

• Each session will be videotaped and students will assess each other’s performance. As a group the class will decide who is awarded the job from each pair’s interview.

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