The job interview: Body language and perceptions of potential effectiveness

Abstract

Videotapes of a male job applicant displaying various intensities of body language (length of eye contact, number of hand gestures, level of dress, and length of pause before answering a question) were shown to and rated by 160 managers in the insurance industry. Using a 4 × 2 × 2 factorial design, the hypotheses that different body language intensities affected perceptions of 8 traits typically considered in the employment process (ambition, motivational drive, self-confidence, self-organization, responsibility, verbal ability, intelligence, and sincerity) were not statistically significant. It was found that women rated applicants using high-intensity body language low on ambition, and those using low-intensity body language high on ambition; males reacted in an opposite fashion. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)