How Body Language Can Help You Get A Job

(CBS)  Everyone knows to tighten the resume and keep references up-to-date before going in for an interview. But according to body language expert Joe Navarro, author of the book "What Everybody is Saying," how you present yourself when you meet with a potential employer is just as important in helping you get the gig.

As part of the "Job Squad" series, live interviews for actual positions took place on the Early Show set Thursday morning, and Navarro observed the interactions with co-anchor Harry Smith while giving a rundown of these key things that future bosses will be looking for:

Grooming. "On first contact, your potential boss is looking at things like good grooming," Navarro said. Before going on an interview, those on the job hunt should make sure their hands are clean and nails are trimmed.

Attire/Accessories. Employers evaluate your clothing to see if you'll fit their company profile. Don't wear anything too tight, too old or "too out there." Another thing to be aware of is tattoos. "Most employers don't want to see tattoos," Navarro said. "So if you're going for a job try to hide them."

Invading Space. Be aware of what Navarro calls "violations of body space." Leaning forward during an interview, as Jillian McLeod Dodge does while interviewing with car company Vroom Vroom Vroom, shows you're that you're engaged ands serious, but getting too close or staring at someone too intensely will be off-putting.

Posture. Your posture is how you tell a potential employer that you're confident, Navarro says. He takes note of Tracey Deal, who is interviewing with a company called Addition Management. "One of the things I like is that she has her hands above the table, and she has her hands to gesture with," he said. "When you're applying for a job it's important to use your hands expressively."

Eye Contact. During an interview, Navarro says, "we subconsciously read each other. We're looking for subtle tells: Is this person going to fit? Is there any stress?" Looking at the station where Jeremiah Gray is interviewing for a marketing and sales support position with New York Guest, he notes that the man is making good eye contact, and that he and the potential employer are conversing well.

Other bits of advice Navarro had are for women not to wear too much makeup and for men to wear two-button suits instead of three, and that all three interviewees observed this morning passed the test.

"They've dressed up for their jobs, they look well," he said. "They look like they're interested."



Companies interviewing during this segment:
Addition Management, LLC
REF Computer Corporation
New York Guest
Vroom Vroom Vroom