Our wonderful resourcer, Faye Smith, sharing her insights in the power of eye contact during an interview.
Building a personal connection in an interview is super important, and first impressions can make or break your chance at getting a job offer, here’s our advice on how to use eye contact to your advantage during an interview.
Beyond the traditional handshake and CV, maintaining strong eye contact with your interviewers can speak volumes about your confidence, engagement, and communication skills. If you have more than one interviewer, or a panel of interviewers it’s important to make eye contact with each individual and not just to focus your attention on the boss or the person asking the questions.
If possible, ask a couple of questions at the end of the interview, and direct your questions to multiple people, not just the manager or person leading the interview. This demonstrates your ability to build rapport and your enthusiasm for the team as well as the role.
- *Non-Verbal Communication*: Eye contact is one of the first methods of non-verbal communication. It conveys interest, respect, and attentiveness. When you maintain eye contact with your interviewer, you show that you’re fully present and actively participating in the conversation.
- *Confidence and Self-Assuredness*: Making direct eye contact reflects confidence and self-assuredness. It shows that you believe in your abilities and are comfortable in your own skin. A confident demeanour can influence the interviewer’s perception of your suitability for the role.
- *Building Rapport*: Establishing eye contact with your interviewers makes the interaction feel more authentic and genuine, and makes the conversation more personal.
- *Active Listening*: Effective communication is a two-way street, and listening is as important as speaking. Engaging in consistent eye contact showcases your active listening skills. It demonstrates that you value the information being shared and are attentive to the details.
- *Visual Memory*: By maintaining eye contact, you increase the likelihood that the interviewers will remember you more vividly after the interview. This can be helpful when it comes to the decision-making process, as a memorable candidate is more likely to remain in the forefront of the interviewer’s mind.
Maintaining eye contact can have a big influence on the outcome of your interview. It’s a powerful tool that communicates confidence, engagement, and respect, while also building rapport and demonstrating your active listening skills. By making eye contact a deliberate part of your interview strategy, you can leave a lasting and positive impression on your potential employer.
Remember, it’s not just about what you say, but how you say it—with your eyes as a key player in the conversation!