Good communication is critical in managing stress.  While words are important, the full context of the message depends on non-verbal communication. Words by themselves comprise only 10% of our meaning.  Tone of voice accounts for 40% , and the remaining 50% comes from  visible body language.  That is the main reason that business is not just conducted by e-mail (words only).  People use cell phones to hear the voice, and travel in person (or use video conferencing) to see the body language.  Only then can they get the full intent of the communication.

Let's take a look at a simple job performance assessment: "Robin is doing a great job".  If one looks only at the written words, it seems Robin is doing well.  But let's take a look at the rest of the non-verbal cues:

-Tone of Voice: If one says these same words sarcastically the meaning is quite different.  

-Body Language: If the speaker is rolling his eyes, sticking his tongue out, and giving the "thumbs down" sign as these same words are spoken, then we take it that Robin does a really poor job at work. 

That's why most letters of reference are useless (who has ever seen a bad one?!).

Non-Verbal Tips: 

Let's consider a person preparing for a job interview.  Here are some non-verbal tips from job coaching professionals: 

-Don't slouch when standing, and don't slide your rear forward in your chair when sitting.  When walking, move your arms; don't keep them frozen at your side.  Don't fidget, chew gum, or constantly clear your throat. Shake hands with a firm grip.  Don't have your shoulders elevated in tension, so they block your ears.  Establish good eye contact when listening, and when speaking.  Sit straight up, leaning a little forward. 

You can look serious, but don't glare like this classic stone-faced gentleman (painted by Durer in 1524)

Try not to frown, unless applying for a job as a bouncer or bill collector. 

-Show good listening skills, by incorporating (occasionally) some of the elements of the question in your answers, and demonstrate some empathy for the interviewer's needs.  Listen not only to your interviewer, but also to yourself as you speak.  Watch out for messages your eyes send; stress levels are often revealed by high rates of blinking.  In fact, Boston College professor Joe Tecce documented US presidential debates, and noted that the fastest blinker lost every election since 1980.  So make sure your contact lenses are not dry! 

Obviously, there are other many other issues, like preparation, hygiene, grooming, dress codes, and attitude.  For more comprehensive detail I recommend "interview coach" links like the ones listed below.  But no matter who's coaching style you adopt, optimizing your non-verbal presentation is always a huge advantage.  

One additional tip is made necessary by the aging population of job-seekers.  If you are competing with people half your age, you don't want to look even older than your stated years.  One of the best ways to keep your body from slouching is to exercise.  One of the best ways to keep your face from slouching is to tone its underlying 22 muscles. 

Exercise for the body is as easy as doing any sport, or going to a gym.  Yet there are no stations for "face" in the weight room.  But help is at hand!  The FaceMaster is ideal for turning up the lips at the corners, from frown to smile.  It will also tone the muscles under the eyelids, and plump up the cheeks.  In minutes, you can feel the increased muscle tone, just like you can after weight-lifting in the gym.  Even skin color is improved from a single treatment.  Click the video here to watch Suzanne Somers show how simple and quick this is. 

In todays difficult economy, most people cannot afford the luxury of frequent spa visits.  But the FaceMaster produces the same microcurrent (or "e-stim") as the professional machines that cost over $10,000.  Because owning your own FaceMaster costs less than one spa facial, you can get professional results at an affordable price.     

So if you are wanting to put your best face forward, consider interview coaching, and make sure you optimize your non-verbal communications.  Make the message you send be interpreted the way you intended! 

For more information on Dr. Hanson, visit http://www.peterhansonmd.com/.  For more information on FaceMaster, visit http://www.facemaster.com/.  For more specific advice on coaching for job interviews, visit Carole Martin at http://www.interviewcoach.com/, or http://www.interviewstuff.com/.