ust for a minute, let's envision what a hiring manager might see in a scenario where she interviews two job candidates, each of whom has credentials and work experience similar to the other. Therefore, before face-to-face interviews, hiring manager Sue views them equally in the competition for an open job at hand.

Yet her opinion changes after the in- terviews. The information Candidate A provides is solid, but his speaking style is weak. He looks down a few times, then his eyes dart around the room, and he makes eye contact with Sue only briefly while discussing his prior work. And while his information is strong, Candidate A tells Sue about his background and skills in a disjointed, unorganized manner.

On the other hand, Candidate B speaks confidently during his interview. He makes constant eye contact with Sue while both talking about himself and listening to her as well. Through strong eye contact, Candidate B communicates to Sue that he is a focused, disciplined person very interested in the job at hand. And while his skills and experience are mildly weaker than his competitor, Candidate B has practiced for the interview and organized his thoughts ahead of time. His delivery is clear and organized, and he fits in a couple of smiles during the interview. Thus, he speaks confidently, sets a professional tone and receives a job offer from Sue.