HBCU Writers's Project
For Immediate Release
October 17, 2012
Contact Information

Karol Marquez
Florida A&M University

(BPRW) What is Your Body Saying?

(BLACK PR WIRE/FAMU-TALLAHASSEE) – Back in 2010, the famous golf player Tiger Woods delivered a televised speech about his extramarital affairs. He admitted his mistake and apologized to his family, friends, business partners and fans. The speech brought mixed reactions because of Wood’s body language inconsistency.

“People pay attention to the body language more than 50 percent when we are communicating emotional content,” said Brandon Fureigh, Advocacy Director at Truman National Security Project. Tone of voice is around 30 percent, and the words that we use barely reach seven percent.

Statistics show that we perceive the world with our eyes at 82 percent, with our ears at 11 percent, and other senses at seven percent.

According to Forbes Magazine, body languages tics can cost you a job opportunity. Specialists mention that most of the students are not aware of the importance of body language in an interview, and their common mistakes rely on body posture, grooming gestures, facial gestures and weird hand movements. 

Fureigh suggests avoiding playing with hands in an interview. This tic might distract the future employer, and it also reflects that you are nervous and insecure. “The best hand position is to clench one hand and cover it with the other hand,” he stated.

Allen McMillan, a first-year computer engineering student from Miami, said “eye contact, posture and physical distance” are key factors when he is on an interview.

“The best posture when you are seated is called ‘the runner’,” Fureigh said. Your back has to be in a 90-degree angle, your body should be seated almost at the border of the chair, and your legs in a posture ready to run.

“I was looking away and shaking my leg,” said Snarell Carter, a freshman nursing student from Miami, about her failed first job interview.

Studies have shown that gentle imitation usually acts as“social glue” in human relationships. Excessive mirroring in a job interview situation leaves an employer thinking you are incompetent, unreliable and not very likeable.

The success of mirroring depends on doing it with the right people at the right time for the right reasons. 

According to specialists, a good moment for subtle mirroring in interviews is when the future employer is leaning forward or backward.

According to the New York Times, nonverbal forms of communication also affect sports because it expresses your emotions and thoughts. Positive body language holds a team together and encourages effective communication. The common goal in sports is winning, and poor body language can express that you lack confidence.

“If I see someone with shoulders down or head down on the other team… we’re defeating them!” said Jennifer Lindsey, senior theater student and softball player from Jacksonville, FL.

Specialists said that touching forms of nonverbal communication, such as a high-five or pat on the back, build support and increase performance.

“Most of the time we dance when we score a run, then we have to keep our heads up,” stated Lindsey.