Nonverbal communication is when a person conveys their thoughts, feelings and mood through visual rather than verbal cues.

These visual signals include:

• Facial expressions
• Eye contact
• Subtle (and not so subtle) gestures
• Tone of voice
• Touch
• Posture
• Personal space

These physical signals are essential, especially if you are looking to impress an employer with your interpersonal skills.

Nonverbal communication involves both conscious, semiconscious and unconscious elements:

Conscious – For example, standing up to shake the hand of an interviewer

Semiconscious – Illustrative gestures and other movements that help you articulate an idea, but you use them automatically, without conscious thought

Unconscious – Nonverbal cues that are so subtle and momentary that you are entirely unaware of them. These can be anything from posture and positioning to micro facial movements and fleeting eye contact. Much of what you communicate nonverbally is received unconsciously by other people in the room.

What Role Does Nonverbal Communication Play in the Workplace?

From the moment you first speak with a potential new employer to how you use soft skills to interact with co-workers, it is essential to perfect those nonverbal communication skills. You may have done all your prep for your interview and feel confident about your chances of securing the role. However, how you come across to the employer in the interview largely depends on your nonverbal communication.

At an interview, the employer will get a feeling about you from the nonverbal cues you consciously and unconsciously use. Quite often, this feeling is what tips an interview in your favor and lands you that job over another candidate.

During Phone Screening

Nonverbal communication still matters, even if you are not physically in the same room as the other person. Your body language can impact your overall attitude and tone of voice. There is a good reason why telemarketing consultants always speak with a smile.

Your voice can be unconsciously affected by your choice of environment and posture. Your vocal inflection (the ups and downs of your voice) is controlled by how you hold your body and jaw. If you are sitting in a reclined position, you may not sound as clear or engaged on the phone.

It is not just how you sound that you need to consider. Effective use of pauses can also work to your advantage. If you answer an interview question particularly strongly, a short pause afterward can grab the interviewer’s attention.

Before the Interview

Remember, the impression you give through nonverbal cues starts from the moment you enter the reception area. The way you introduce yourself to the receptionist and what you do when you are waiting, all play a deciding role.

It is essential to have a friendly expression and tone of voice, but not to be too overbearing or distracted. Keep your phone switched off and wait patiently. If there is a company magazine, take a read to show you are interested in the organisation.

During the Interview

There are a few nonverbal cues that will be expected of you. Some employers may even have a nonverbal communication checklist they will use to benchmark your performance. Top of the list are greeting and addressing all interviewers, making eye contact, showing interest, remaining present, and most importantly, listening.

Making a Good Impression with Coworkers

So, how can you use nonverbal communication as to your advantage?

Well, by deciphering the types of nonverbal communication your co-workers use, you will gain a good understanding of their persona, likes and dislikes, and approach to work. Armed with this knowledge, you can consciously create strong working relationships and boost your business profile. Choosing to be more self-aware of your nonverbal communication style will also help.

What Are the Top 10 Nonverbal Communication Skills?

Thankfully, just as verbal communication is split into different types, nonverbal communication cues can be condensed into categories.

Below are 10 Nonverbal Communication examples that everyone should be aware of within the workplace.

1. Eye Contact

• How many times have you heard your eyes ‘speak the truth’ or that they are ‘the window to the soul’? This is because the eyes convey a message from the emotional part of the brain, near the neocortex.
• Eyes (and eyebrows) are the primary nonverbal cues you will consciously or unconsciously use to communicate with others.
• If you think about it, most people will connect with their eyes first before talking at a business networking event.
• Having good eye contact in an interview is essential. It shows your interest in the role,  your character and your credibility.
• What constitutes good eye contact though?
• If you cannot hold an interviewer’s gaze for more than a second, you just show how anxious or nervous you are. Aim for direct contact with the interviewer for two or three seconds before looking away. Any more than this may feel awkward or strained.

2. Correct Posture

• From our shoulders to our toes, on how we position ourselves is far more critical than you think in nonverbal communication.
• The saying ‘stand tall, be proud’ comes to mind.  When you stand up tall and push your shoulders forward, you send out a message of self-confidence and authority. The same applies if you are seated at an interview.
• It would be best if you sit up straight. Your gaze should be at eye-level with the interviewer and your weight should feel balanced with your feet on the floor, so keep your legs uncrossed.

3. Firm Handshake

• Touch is incredibly important when communicating, and a handshake is often the only appropriate form of physical contact in business, so it is best to have a good one.
• The handshake conveys a lot as a nonverbal cue. It should be firm and not too limp. A strong handshake is one that involves complete palm to palm contact.
• If nerves have got the better of you before an interview and you have clammy friendms, you can visit the restroom or make sure you have a tissue to wipe them discreetly.
• Keeping your hands open rather than clasped will also help and show that you are relaxed.

4. Listen

• In any situation, but particularly at an interview, you want to give somebody your full attention.
• When your words and nonverbal cues match up and mirror the person in front of you, you convey that you are sincere and interested. If you’re not listening, this is almost impossible for you to do.
• You want to pay attention to what the interviewer or your coworker has to say and take time to digest it before moving on to the next point. This is called active listening, where you concentrate on the detail of what is being said rather than just passively hearing words.
• People who are good at active listening in an interview will blend the skill with other senses. While acutely listening to the words of the interviewer, they nod in all the right places, maintain eye contact and ask relevant questions.

5. Show That You Are Interested

• Using nonverbal communication show your interest will positively reinforce that you are engaged in the conversation.
• When a person is engrossed in something that genuinely interests them, they will unconsciously lean in. Lean forwards just a fraction so that you provide a nonverbal cue that you are listening.
• It is not just the upper body that can be used as a nonverbal sign, though. If more than one person is interviewing you, it is a good idea to slightly rotate your body to face them when they are speaking.
• Whatever you do at the interview, make sure you avoid any nonverbal cues that suggest you are disinterested.
• Although it is good to know that you are not overrunning, it is best not to keep on checking the clock. Likewise, try not to yawn or rub your eyes. These indicate a restless mind.

6. Positive Facial Expressions

• Facial expressions are a compelling way to communicate with someone visually. They can be used to convey a wide range of emotions, including happiness, sadness, anger, fear, excitement
• Even the slightest relaxation of the jaw, flicker of an eyebrow or nod of the head will show positive engagement.

7. Vocal Tone

• Keep an even tone to your voice within the workplace unless you are delivering a presentation or sales pitch where you will want to be more animated.
• It is imperative to have a consistent tone, especially when answering situational interview questions.
• Remember, too loud will make you appear overbearing, and too quiet looks you as shy or not a great communicator.
• If you are unsure how you sound, best practice with a friend or family member.

8. Use Your Body to Reinforce Communication

• Gestures help us to clearly articulate what we want to express. Most often made by the hands and face, it helps crystallize our thoughts.
• Most of us subconsciously use our right hand to show that we are providing information and our left hand to show we have received information. Unless you are left-handed, in which case the reverse may be true.
• Our best advice for an interview is to make sure that your hands are free. However, try to keep your movements natural and not too animated, as it can be a total distraction.

9. Maintain Personal Space

• Everyone is different, some people are tactile and enjoy sitting close to their co-workers, where others are horrified at the thought of contact.
• When speaking with a colleague or meeting your potential employer for the first time, it is best to keep outside of their personal space. As a rule, intimate space is up to 18 inches and personal space up to 4 feet.

10. Professional Appearance

• Presenting yourself in the workplace is an important aspect of nonverbal communication. It reflects of who you are as an individual and of the company as a whole.
• Dressing too casually, might fall you into in to a judgement that you disregard about rules and expectations or not taking your responsibilities seriously.
• It is always best to dress formally if you’re going in an interview or in work, you should dress according to the etiquette of the corporate.

How Can You Improve Your Nonverbal Communication Skills?

To improve your nonverbal communication, you must first understand what is your weakness. Most of us make thousands of conscious, semiconscious and unconscious nonverbal cues every day, all you need to do is to enlist the comment of your friends and possibly your current co-workers to help you do this. For example, you might think that you make good eye contact, but your friends struggle to hold your gaze or maybe you are overly expressive with your hands.

Ensure your friend is aware of the nonverbal communication definition and refer to the examples in this article. A good friend will offer you a tactful critique. They will also be able to let you know the types of nonverbal communication that you use well.

Final Thoughts

The best advice is to be the best version of yourself. Be confident to yourself and your body will convey this. Keep in mind, not to overthink the types of nonverbal communication you use. It is great to be self-aware, but you need to keep things natural.

A good night’s sleep before an interview will stop you from fidgeting or accidentally misfiring on your nonverbal cues and don’t forget your appropriate nonverbal communication as you exit the interview. End with a good handshake and say goodbye to everyone you spoke with, including any co-workers you met.

Additional Reading and Insights

• Helpguide provides a downloadable pdf to assist you in learning more about your tone of voice, posture and other communication tools. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/nonverbal-communication.htm
• Anther one of our favorites is Mindtools. Here there is a great resource with images for different types of body language. It also explains the science behind this non verbal communication. https://www.mindtools.com/aejjzul/body-language
• Verywellmind.com provides a great resource here which helps you understand your facial expressions and overall body language. https://www.verywellmind.com/understand-body-language-and-facial-expressions-4147228