Why a potential hire's body language and hobbies are good indicators of their employability

Wednesday September 13, 2017 , 4 min Read

An ideal employee is not born, they are made. Every individual you have ever interviewed for any position is a sum of his/her information. All potential hires are composites of the ideas, beliefs, habits, and opinions they have been exposed to since childhood. This makes them all unique and interesting in their own way. Some may be great at work but may never be able to adhere to office timings. Others may be the first ones to come to work, but fail on the productivity front.

Image: Shutterstock

These little idiosyncrasies and habits can leave the employer in a dilemma. However, making thoughtful decisions on the day of hiring itself can make all the difference in finding the right new hire for your organisation’s requirements. To aid you towards such decisions, here are a couple of qualities to look for in an applicant before letting them sign on the dotted line.

The language of their body is the language of their mind

Honesty is the best policy. The truth of this statement remains unchallenged till date and serves as an ideal guiding light for the employer. Sure, CVs can lie, but there’s one thing that can’t – body language.

Start by observing a candidate’s handshake. A firm handshake implies self-confidence, a trait that doesn’t come naturally to those who doubt their work or are insecure about their abilities. Follow this up by studying how the candidate introduces himself/herself. Practised utterances will appear overly rigid and unnatural. On the other hand, honest communication will be free-flowing and bereft of pretence.

Take a good, hard look at the candidate’s CV. Is it simple yet convincing, or is it flamboyant in an attempt to distract a less perceptive employer? You have to be the judge.

Remember to ask the right questions. As an employer, you know your demands the best. Phrase your questions around your expectations, but try not to keep them too run-of-the-mill. Startle the candidate a little. Ask questions they have not been prepared for in life or their business schools. The answers you receive will give you a fair idea of a candidate’s ability to respond to crisis.

Do they have something interesting to talk about?

A stereotypical employer will refrain from asking un-prescribed questions. These would include asking the candidate about things they like to do in their spare time or their personal interests. Those who don’t venture to ask such questions limit the scope of their inquiry, failing thus to judge the candidate on a personal level.

Ideal employees are not different at work and home. They are the same people, simply using their abilities in two different settings. When an employer takes interest in what a candidate does for fun or to stimulate their mind, they are trying to probe into areas that truly excite the candidate. The answers can give a keen employer an insight into the state and frame of the candidate’s mind, helping them figure out the areas in which they can be more productive.. Additionally, such an invasive interview technique will bring forth good results in the long run. The employee will have a sense of happiness and well-being at work as their minds will be engaged in the same way as when they pursue a hobby or an activity of personal interest.

The corporate world has two kinds of people – those who are happy with their jobs and those who aren’t. Unfortunately, but not without reason, the scales tilt heavily towards the latter. In order to reverse the situation, employers must start taking the hiring process not just seriously, but creatively as well.