There once was a time (in movies, at any rate, if not in real life)

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(Free-Press-Release.com) June 10, 2004 -- There once was a time (in movies, at any rate, if not in real life) when business executives would say approvingly of a job candidate, "I like the cut of his jib." By this they meant that there was something about the candidate that was pleasing to the eye, like a sailboat with its jib sail properly set. While corporate-speak may have changed, drawing subjective conclusions based on a candidate's "presence" hasn't.

Some candidates simply seem to have a generally more efficient and positive air about them than others. What elements contribute to this aura? How is it that certain candidates can sail into a room and impress their interviewers, while others don't make quite as positive an impact?



There are six elements I see that separate job candidates with a winning presence from those who don't make a strong initial impression. These include:

Physical appearance. Tall, short, fat, thin, young, old, handsome, homely -- none of these traits is a factor in rating the physical appearance of candidates. What does count is attention to detail and the subtle cues given by body language. Appropriate dress is a must, and it's almost impossible to overdress. Even in a business-casual environment, men should wear a sports coat and women a pantsuit or other business attire. Little things count. A small stain from lunch, shoes that aren't polished or are too polished, a belt fitted to the very last hole, an ill-knotted tie -- all these are signs of potential inefficiency or poor judgment.

The body, of course, speaks volumes, sometimes betraying things that we'd never express verbally. Poor eye contact, toe-tapping, finger-drumming, and wet palms suggest that candidates are nervous and may feel they're in over their heads. A too rigid or military bearing may indicate a lack of flexibility or imagination. A phlegmatic demeanor may indicate the candidate is bored or feels superior to the position for which he or she is interviewing, or simply doesn't get enough sleep. By contrast, an upright carriage, a purposeful walk, an engaging smile and a confident yet deferential demeanor suggest a candidate who's comfortable with people and graceful under pressure.



Speaking ability. A positive physical appearance can be undercut quickly by poor speaking ability. Speaking ability isn't necessarily a matter of tone or inflection. You don't have to have a voice like James Earl Jones to be a good speaker. Nor does it depend on a professorial vocabulary. Rather, it's the ability to process information and arrange it in a coherent and insightful manner. The organization and selection of detail are what count. A good candidate understands the point of a question and addresses it with clarity and brevity.

at any rate     if not in real life