4 reasons to get out from behind your desk next time you interview someone...

[Mel Kleiman]

If you are like most interviewers, you sit behind your desk when you conduct interviews. Here are a four good reasons to try something different:

1. A desk blocks your view of most of the applicant’s body language (which can be much more telling than what they are saying). In fact, body language conveys 52-60% of the information you’re looking for.

2. Most people have been taught to lie from the neck up. Remember when your mom said: “I can tell you’re lying because you can’t look me in the eye.” So, guess what most people who are inclined to lie learned to do  look you right in the eye and lie. That’s why you want to take into account posture, gestures, eye movement, and facial expressions as well.

3. A desk also creates a psychological barrier between you and the applicant. A more relaxed prospective employee will be less defensive and more open and honest. Try sitting side-by-side or at least in full view of each other if you will be taking notes.

4. If you are mainly a factually-oriented person, put the applicant on your left because the left-side of the body is connected to the intuitive, right-side of your brain. If you are mainly intuitive, do the reverse and tap into your fact-based, logical side.