All Eyes are on You
I find it fascinating how many people don’t utilize the power of strong eye contact when communicating in-person these days. We have indeed become a technology driven work force but well used eye contact is still imperative and separates us from the electronic gadgets by putting a human touch on our communication that will never become obsolete.
When interviewing for a job or meeting someone for the first time in a networking scenario, using appropriate eye contact can make or break your first impression. Jack Junier writes for Helium online and shared some great food for thought about why eye contact can help you make a fantastic first impression as a well-rounded and socially adept candidate.
Confidence – looking down in a conversation is a classic sign of submission and indicates a lack of confidence about the subject matter at hand. If you spend your time looking at the table during your interview, your recruiter will wonder how you will react in front of clients or when asked to be accountable for a project.
Competence – watch out for the side-to-side tennis match syndrome as well as the downward eye focus as this may indicate that you are not trustworthy. Body language speaks volumes and bouncing your gaze around the room will indicate that you are flighty and unable to focus.
Focus and Drive – if you have ever experienced a conversation with someone whose gaze was fixed on some point off in the distance you know the awkward feeling of not being taken seriously in a discussion. This lack of visual focus is a major red flag and indicates that you might not have the clarity to concentrate enough to get the job done.
Aggression – while eye contact is important you don’t want to stalk your interviewer or invade their personal space. Staring can create mistrust and indicate that you are interested in dominating the conversation.
Conversation and Tone – the best interview or networking scenario is one that is conversational in tone and natural enough to feel like a conversation with family or friends. Make eye contact initially, always when someone begins speaking, and again when you give your answer. If you look away, do so sparingly and turn your head slightly to the side keeping a serious and thoughtful expression so you send the signal that you are still engaged in the conversation.
Natural eye contact takes practice so be observant of others who do it well and practice in a mirror to see what your facial expressions depict. If possible, have a mock interview recorded to really see what message your eye contact and body language is conveying.
