101 Smart Questions to Ask on Your Interview (18 page)

Did the candidate hold the shake for an appropriate period—neither too short nor too long? (Three shakes is sufficient.)

Did the candidate use one hand? (A two-handed shake is usually regarded as a sign of over-familiarity at the outset of the first meeting, though there are some regional/cultural exceptions to this rule.)

Did the candidate look you in the eye?

Did the candidate smile?

Did the candidate use your name when greeting you?

What to Look for: Body Language

After the candidate takes a seat, you’ll be doing the lion’s share of the talking to begin the meeting.
After
you have put the person at ease by asking a few rapport-building questions, begin to monitor his or her gaze, physical posture, and general bearing. Use the questions below as a rough guideline, and make discreet notes as the interview moves forward. The more “yes” answers you record, the more comfortable (and, presumably, forthcoming) the person is likely to feel interacting with you.

Does the candidate make appropriate intermittent eye contact with you—neither staring you down nor avoiding your gaze?

Is eye contact broken only at natural points in the discussion, rather than suddenly, such as in the middle of an exchange?

Is the candidate’s mouth relaxed? (A tightly clenched jaw, pursed lips, or a forced, unnatural smile may indicate problems handling stress.)

Are the candidate’s forehead and eyebrows relaxed? (Ditto.)

Does the candidate occasionally smile naturally?

Does the person avoid nodding very rapidly for long periods of time while you’re speaking? (This is shorthand for “Be quiet and let me say something now,” and it is inappropriate in an interview setting.)

Does the candidate move his or her hands so much or in such a weird manner that you actually notice? (Constant twitching of the fingers, or even worse, knuckle-cracking, may mean you’re dealing with a person who simply can’t calm down. Yes, an interview is an unsettling experience, but so are some of the tasks this person will have to perform on the job!)

On a similar note, does the candidate avoid shuffling and tapping his or her feet?