4 Discreet Ways to Influence a Hiring Manager

Very few employers will hire or be attracted to a job applicant whom they don’t like.

Simply stated, if you want to have a successful career, you are going to have to gain the ability to influence hiring managers, executive recruitment professionals and colleagues.

Your Ability to Influence Recruiters and Hiring Managers

When it comes to effectively influencing a hiring manager or sales recruiter, you cannot change variables such as your gender, ethnicity, age or general look. While these aspects are fixed, interviewers will utilize subtle verbal and non-verbal cues to gain a better judge of your character.

1. Tone of Voice – When interviewing with any marketing or account management headhunter, your tone of voice will prove more influential than the actual words you say. For instance, when you walk into the meeting and tell the interviewer “pleased to meet you” in a monotone that says differently, you come across as conflicted, uncomfortable, nervous or possibly trying to hide something. This inconsistency tells the recruiter or HR representative that you possess a good amount of insecurity and potential incompetency.

2. Facial Expression – Regardless of age, ethnicity, gender or level of career success, all human beings convey basic emotions through similar facial expressions. As a matter of fact, something as small as the position of your eyebrow can indirectly tell an interviewer or headhunter that you are either interested in the position or have little regard for their time and professional stature. For instance, when someone is angry or disingenuous, their eyebrow will be slightly lowered. Conversely, when an interviewer has a flexed lower eyelid with a relaxed face, they appear intensely interested, focused and determined.

3. Space – If you want to appear more confident during interviews, the usage of space is a significant non-verbal communication factor. More confident job seekers make themselves at home in an office, occupying a lot of space and moving freely rather than sitting in a locked position. As a job seeker, if you wish to display a sense of warmth and appreciation, sitting closely to the other person will give a positive vibe and allow you to be more influential during the meeting.

4. Posture – If we force ourselves to adopt certain postures, our emotions change to align themselves with that stance. Think of posture as vertical space. When meeting with any recruiter or HR manager, upright posture will project strength. Standing tall demonstrates confidence. If you want to control the interview not have the interview control you, actively use your back muscles to straighten the S curve in your back. An added benefit to good posture is that it helps decrease cortisol levels, naturally lowering the sensation of stress.

In the End

Verbal information can’t be discounted. You can hardly have a successful interview by going in with confident carriage, looking your best, then opening your mouth to reveal you took no time to research the company or industry.

However, nonverbal cues are the strongest communicators, partly because they are the first cues your interviewer receives from you, and they continue to communicate for you even while you are listening.

Put in the attention to achieve an upbeat, confident vocal tone; a relaxed, engaged facial expression; to move freely and easily within the space you have; and to make the best of the good posture your mother always nagged you about, and you will immediately and consistently set yourself apart from your competition.

Popular Recruitment and Job Search Articles

How to Interview More Effectively

Writing a Better Resume

10 Sales Theories That Drive Revenue