No, you shouldn’t stare but you should:
- Engage/show interest.
- Light up/show emotion.
- Smile (yes your eyes are one of the main differences between a real and a fake smile).
- Seek understanding or clarity.
- Analyze (the body language)
- Make eye contact (specifically) when stressing a point.
- Share eye contact between interviewers, be inclusive (even if one has not posed the question).
- Draw attention.
Don’t ever make the Interviewer feel uncomfortable (too much eye contact), be in a distracted state, or show a lack of interest (not enough eye contact).
A lack of eye contact will convey that you are untrustworthy…
Get comfortable with making eye contact, not everyone is.
Have you noticed that when two people are in a conversation, often the person talking averts their gaze more than the person listening? That is to process our thoughts and seek refuge away from the discomfort of scrutiny.
Notice where you/the other person looks in the next conversation you have…
Great tips! There’s an important, fine line between too much and too little eye contact in the interview process. It’s easy to rush and not take the time to take in one’s surroundings, feel out one’s place in the room, and read the subtext among interviewers. If one slows down, takes things in, and shows they are listening using non-verbal cues like eye-contact, nods and note-taking, then one can strengthen their connection with those in the room and extend the conversation beyond the surface level verbal avenues. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Aaron
I totally agree. Nerves can wreak havoc with body language and makes people do all sorts of crazy things.
I appreciate your kind words
Regards
Michael