job
Nonverbal communication: 10 tips for more salary
Many underestimate the importance of non-verbal communication in conversations
© Worawee Meepian / Getty Images
Before job interviews or salary negotiations, you can rack your brains about what exactly you want to say to the other person. One thing is much more important: non-verbal communication.
From Maria Stadler
This text first appeared at this point brigitte.de
It’s actually no secret: WHAT we say is basically not that important. This applies not only to work, but also to bringing up children, relationships, friendships and lectures. According to research, 55 percent of us communicate through body language, 38 percent through language and voice, and just 7 percent through the content of the verbal message. Nevertheless, in the end you somehow always think more about the WHAT than the HOW. Especially when it comes to asking for a higher salary, many find it difficult to appear self-confident. It would be all the more important to show: “I am worth more!”
Our 10 tips for a successful non-verbal appearance:
1. How you enter a room says a lot
The way you walk into a room says a lot about it. Do you go crouched? Are you chuckling with nervousness? Do you look scared? Do you devote more time than necessary to the doorknob? Just imagine you are stepping onto a stage. Spot on and smile!
2. Dress for the job you want
People tend to believe what you think of yourself. Do you think you should have more customer contact? Then they dress like you already have this. So you are more likely to be trusted.
3. The invisible threads show the way
Imagine that there are two small threads on the top of your head and on your chest that are constantly taut. And bang, you’ll be in the perfect posture.
4. Make yourself straight
Nothing is worse for your standing than a crouched victim position. Shoulder back, head up, use the airspace. It’s yours.
5. Don’t protect yourself. You don’t have to.
Crossed arms, crossed hands, knotted legs … when you stand in a protective position, you are expressing fear. Much better: Openly show your vulnerable parts of the body, i.e. throat and chest. A silly holdover from times when the stronger just hit the weaker with a club. Whoever showed chest and throat openly did not fear a club. But even if it’s silly. It works.
6. Stay focused
Sovereignty begins with being focused. Just don’t keep silent to prepare for the next sentence. If you don’t stay in the conversation mentally, you lose your sovereignty.
7. Maintain eye contact
Also a thing from the animal kingdom, to which we ultimately belong. Whoever keeps eye contact wins. If both win in the end, so much the better.
8. Avoid privacy
We all have privacy. What is that? Just some strange habits. For example, brushing hair off your face all the time. Or crack with your fingers. All of this has no place at work because – as the name suggests – it is private and that is the opposite of professional in many professional groups.
9. Get in the mood
Deep, firm voices are automatically assigned to particularly confident and successful people. Take advantage of that and hum your way through the world as deeply as possible. You can always control your voice a bit. And it’s worth it, because squeaky voices unfortunately always seem a bit incompetent.
10. Do not think about your standing just before the negotiation
Not observing all of these rules until the day of the salary negotiation is of little use. Even if the environment at work feels very cozy and warm, you can still make a little effort to present the deeply humorous and invulnerable person within you instead of leaving the scepter to the mouse. If everything goes well, the ruble will soon be rolling.