I recently came across Cara Hale Alter’s book, “The Credibility Code: How to Project Confidence and Competence When It Matters Most” and I thought it would be really valuable for today's job seekers. After all, when it comes to job interviews, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. And first impressions are key in today’s highly competitive job market.
So how do you project confidence and credibility? Alter has summarized two decades of research and identified 25 specific visual and auditory cues—explicit “codes of conduct” for posture, gestures, vocal skills and eye contact—that affect the perception of credibility. Most importantly, unlike many other cues, such as gender, age, or physical features, these 25 cues are “within your active control,” says Alter.
I’ve summarized the top five cues to get you started:
- Keep your head level. One of the best ways to project “executive presence” or alpha status is to keep your head level when speaking. Raising or dropping your chin can appear aggressive or submissive. Stillness is also an authoritative behavior, so try not to let your shoulders twist with the movement of your head.
- Keep your hands in the “gesture box.” As in poker, your gestures can be “telling” to others. The most effective hand gestures happen inside the “gesture box”—no higher than your sternum, no lower than your hips, and no wider than your shoulders. The sweet spot is your navel, where gestures tend to look the most natural.
- Speak with optimal volume. In business settings, a common problem with volume is speaking too softly or dropping volume at the end of sentences. The good news is that volume is the easiest vocal skill to adjust. First, however, you must know the difference between adequate volume and optimal volume. Most people err on the side of merely adequate. If you want to be a powerful voice, speak with a powerful voice.
- Hold eye contact for three to five seconds. Eye contact is a key indicator of confidence and credibility. Still, there is a difference between making eye contact and holding eye contact. Duration is critical, and in the Western world, holding eye contact for three to five seconds is considered optimal.
- Listen actively. Your credibility can be won or lost when you’re simply listening. You should never look bored or disconnected, but always respectfully engaged. Attentive listening means you’re an active partner. It’s not enough to pay attention; you have to look like you’re paying attention. Keep your posture open, your head up, and your navel pointing toward the speaker.
Well, there you have it, a brief synopsis of Alter’s 25 specific visual and auditory cues—boiled down to the basic five. To get the full benefit of Alter’s research, pick up a copy of her book. For more information, check out her website—complete with an informative video—at thecredibilitycode.com.
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