Total Job Interview Mastery: Words, Body Language, and Presence (In Person or Video)

Key Concepts

• Video Interview Power Skills: Techniques to enhance performance in video interviews.
• Performance vs. Qualifications: Emphasizing communication skills over just qualifications.
• Storytelling: Using stories to sell oneself rather than reporting history.
• "You Hear What You See": The importance of nonverbal communication.
• 7-38-55 Rule: Communication breakdown: 7% words, 38% tone, 55% body language.
• Engineering Presence: Consciously creating a strong on-screen presence.
• Truth Plane: The area between the belly button and neckline where gestures are most effective.
• CAR Technique: A method for answering interview questions (Context, Action, Result).
• Verbal and Nonverbal Congruency: Ensuring words and body language align.
• Active Listening: Engaging with the interviewer through verbal and nonverbal cues.

1. The Importance of Performance in Interviews

• The speaker emphasizes that job interviews are about the entire performance, not just answering questions correctly.
• Many candidates are qualified but fail to communicate effectively, leading to rejection.
• "If you're in the job interview, you are qualified. Which means if you did not get that job offer, you failed as a communicator, not a job candidate."
• Organizations hire for transformation, not just facts, features, and skills. Stories are key to selling oneself.
• Scripting answers and reporting past experiences deplete performance.

2. The "You Hear What You See" Principle

• The speaker stresses the importance of nonverbal communication, stating, "You hear what you see."
• Referencing Albert Mehrabian's communication model (the 7-38-55 rule), the speaker highlights that body language (55%) and tone (38%) account for 93% of communication, while words only account for 7%.
• This principle is especially crucial in video interviews.

3. Inhibitors in Interviews

• General Inhibitors:
  • Over-preparation and rehearsing answers can lead to a robotic delivery and cognitive overload.
  • Cognitive overload is indicated by scripting out answers.
• Video-Specific Inhibitors:
  • Eye contact problems due to screen distractions (multiple windows, etc.).
  • The camera can drain 30-40% of one's energy, message, and vibrancy.
  • The speaker references his first YouTube video from 2016 as an example of how the camera can diminish personality.

4. Engineering Presence Through Posture

• Great communicators engineer their presence; it's not natural.
• Key elements of posture:
  • Camera at eye level.
  • Torso in the frame to allow for visible hand gestures.
  • Light source facing you, not behind you.
  • Sitting forward with a slight tilt.
• The speaker uses a Swiss ball to maintain good posture.
• The speaker shares a story about coaching a client named Brian, whose likability increased significantly when his torso became visible in the frame, allowing for hand gestures.

5. Verbal Communication Cues

• Powerful, Clear, Concise Language:
  • Use the CAR (Context, Action, Result) technique.
  • Avoid vague language. Provide specific details and quantifiable results.
  • Example: Instead of "I worked on a large project," say "I ran a 50-person project with a $200 million budget that spanned five continents."
• Confident and Direct Language:
  • Tell the story from your perspective, even if you had help.
  • Avoid hedging or talking around the issue.
• Signal Structure with Words:
  • Use words to guide the listener through the story (e.g., "first," "second," "third").
  • This allows for the insertion of nonverbal gestures that emphasize the structure.
• Warmth and Enthusiasm:
  • Use language that conveys positive emotions.
  • Example: "I loved working on that project because..."
• Tailor Language to the Audience:
  • Avoid technical jargon with HR or the CEO.
  • Focus on strategy, culture, and general skills.

6. Nonverbal Communication Cues (While Speaking)

• Gestures in the Truth Plane:
  • Keep gestures between the belly button and neckline.
  • Palms forward convey openness and honesty.
• Look Through the Camera:
  • Maintain eye contact through the camera.
  • Position the camera and screen so you can look at the interviewer's image in your peripheral vision.
• Anchor Key Points with Hands:
  • Use hand gestures to emphasize important points at the end of a sentence.
  • Avoid pausing mid-sentence.
• On-Message Facial Expressions:
  • Ensure facial expressions match the verbal message.
  • Example: "I loved working there, but they had budget cuts" should be said with a consistent, congruent expression.
• Sit Tall:
  • Maintain a wide posture to convey confidence.
  • Avoid slouching.
  • Head tilts are acceptable when listening.

7. Nonverbal Communication Cues (While Listening)

• Eye Contact:
  • Maintain eye contact as much as possible.
  • In a panel interview, square each person in a box to maintain eye contact.
• Active Listening:
  • Use facial expressions and nods to show engagement.
  • Give double or triple nods to encourage the speaker to continue.
• Avoid Distractions:
  • No slouching or fidgeting.
  • Keep hands visible if possible.
• Verbal Cues of Engagement:
  • Use phrases like "Great idea," "Interesting," or "That's clever" to show you're listening.

8. Common Mistakes in Video Interviews

• Poor Audio:
  • Use an external microphone for better sound quality.
• Camera Not at Eye Level:
  • Ensure the camera is straight and at eye level.
• Poor Connection:
  • Test everything beforehand to ensure a stable connection.
• Extra Motion:
  • Avoid unnecessary movements or turning.
• Messy or Fake Background:
  • Use a clean, simple background. Avoid fake or blurred backgrounds.
• Distractions:
  • Silence phones, mute notifications, and eliminate potential interruptions.

9. Practice Tips for Video Interviews

• Record Yourself:
  • Use Zoom or similar software to record yourself answering questions.
  • Watch the recording with video and sound, then with sound only, then with video only.
  • Analyze your performance, looking for areas to improve.
• Mock Interviews:
  • Practice with a friend, spouse, or coach.
  • Conduct the mock interview via video to simulate the real experience.
• Eye Contact Practice:
  • Spend five minutes each day talking through the camera, focusing on eye contact and concentration.
• Pacing, Tone, and Fillers:
  • Listen to your recordings and identify areas where you can improve your pacing, tone, and use of filler words.
• Posture:
  • Practice sitting up straight to convey confidence.

10. Conclusion

The key to success in video interviews lies in mastering both verbal and nonverbal communication. By focusing on storytelling, engineering presence, using clear and confident language, and practicing consistently, candidates can significantly improve their performance and increase their chances of landing the job. The speaker emphasizes that qualifications are only part of the equation; effective communication is what ultimately seals the deal.