Page 132 - James Caan - Get the Job you Really Want

Self-awareness is the key. You can study in great detail the art
of body language, of mirroring techniques, of neurolinguistic
programming – you can probably get a degree in it now – but
in reality the basics are not rocket science. Make sure your body
language matches the message you are sending out verbally.

Don’t fiddle, tap your nails on the desk, or grip your legs as if you
are holding on for dear life. And don’t concentrate so hard on
what you are doing with your hands that you forget to listen to

what the interviewer has just asked you.
This is where your performance skills have to come into play.
The knack is to perform well while appearing to be natural.
You should, of course, try not to be a bag of nerves because
the interviewer needs to feel confidence in you in order to feel

comfortable with you. But if you do show some nerves, that
is fine, because nerves are natural – and they show you really
want this job. If you do make a slip in something you say, simply

apologize straight away and then say what you intended to.
Natural reactions are the key: being overly cocky and giving too
slick a performance can send out the message that you’re not a
very good team player.

Using humour to gain an advantage

Humour is a great relaxer, though potentially a minefield.
However, in any business meeting I am involved in, I will always
aim to get one laugh, or at the very least raise a warm smile. It
forms part of my own mental checklist. Whether the moment

120 get the job you really want