True or False: Body Language in Recruiting
True or False: Body Language in Recruiting
In the world of recruiting there is a simple obstacle that can have major effects on a company at a later point in time. This obstacle is never really knowing the candidate you are attempting to recruit. You may have their entire work history and education sitting in an email on your computer, but is that everything? Did they leave out certain jobs that would make their resume look less then desirable? Maybe they left a position of their own free will before an incident was discovered. Luckily we have very effective and time efficient methods of checking the information a candidate places on their resume. This doesn’t mean someone can’t slip through with a impressive smile and fabrications though.
Even when someone is in the middle of their best lie, their body language could be telling a different story. Research done by Dr. Lillian Glass, a behavioral analyst who has worked with FBI in finding better ways to detect deception put forth by criminal suspects, has released a few tips for catching a candidate in the middle of a lie. Of course these are not undeniable evidence, as every person has their own mannerisms. If you believe a candidate is lying to you though, these signs may help you decide for sure.
1. Shuffling Feet
At the top of the list is the fidgeting motions of an candidate during an interview. Especially when it comes to shuffling feet. This is a very clear sign of discomfort or nervousness. This nervousness could be merely from the interview itself, or from them hoping a mistruth slips by unnoticed.
2. Sudden Head Shifting
Some find it difficult to tell a lie to the face of another. The human conscience is a hard barrier to bypass. When a candidate is asked a question they don’t plan on being honest with, their head may display a shift to the side or bowed down, sudden jerk, or become tilted.
3. Hand Covering the Mouth
When a liar wants to end a topic matter they may raise their hand to or over their mouth. They may become less active in the conversation as well. This could very well mean they have reached the end of the story they were trying to sell you and want to move on before you become any wiser to their plans.
4. Heavy Breathing
When lying, a person’s body can experience internal changes as well as external. Their heart rate and blood flow can change, which can lead to heavy breathing. As there are few real apparent reason for a person to be out of breath, especially in an air conditioned office during an interview, pay close attention to the details of their story.
5. Covering Up Vulnerable Body Parts
Dr. Glass has witnessed in court that when asked a certain question, some people would cover the front of their throat. Almost in a defensive manner. Other areas that have been covered during such an event is the head and chest area.
6. Constant Blinking
It is an age old saying, “look me in the eye and say it”. Apparently it may just hold truth behind it. One behavior of someone in the midst of a lie well making eye contact is to blink constantly. Almost like they wish to look away but can’t.
7. Excessive Pointing
Liar’s can sometimes tend to get defensive and attempt to act confident in a way that comes out as hostile. This can involved pointing and a change in tone.
Though they can help detect a lying candidate, do keep in mind that they could also be signs of simply being nervous. The seven items listed can’t be used alone, but have to be paired with observation and the instinct of the interviewer.
