J-O-B or D-A-T-E

You ever have a job interview where the end outcome is entirely unexpected? You may get the job with an additional request, like a date. If you're wondering why it happens, answer this question: which way do you tilt your head?

According to Tonya Redman, an expert body language analyst and professional speaker, if you tilt right it suggests you're more "...trustworthy...", while tilting to the right evoke "...sign[s] of attractiveness and desirability." Reiman believes that "...about 90 percent of our interpersonal communication is nonverbal. How bodies move, what expressions a face makes, how fast one speaks, and even where we sit in a business meeting, send messages far more convincing than any words spoken."

One important aspect of body language that has continued over the decades is the handshake. According to Reiman there are no less than 12 ways to shake hands incorrectly in respect to strength, affection, eye contact, sweat, and body lean. The worst is the limp handshake, which lacks all of these qualities; the best being an equal mix of all of these aspects will simultaneously introducing oneself.

Reiman isn't the only one to postulate on the idea of body language. UK's Robert Phipps has worked with companies such as Canon, Apple Macintosh, Hewlett Packard, and Rank Xerox; he is also leading commentator on political leaders for BBC and several other media outlets. He gives Ten Tips to better body language in ten categories: eye contact, posture, head position, arms, legs, angle of the body in relation to others, hand gestures, distance, ears and mouth movements. All of these aspects play a large role in how people respond to you.

So perhaps the things we don't say impact us more than we think. Next time you want a job and a date with your future employer (a strongly discourage) tilt left for half the interview, then right for the rest.

~1~