Fred2Blue

Like all political debates, last night’s episode was viewed by many as Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s final presidential job interview.

As an executive recruiter by profession, I was struck by how the three presidential debates seemed like any one of thousands of job interviews for which I have presented executive candidates. 

And I’ve caught myself wondering what Obama’s and McCain’s own inteview body-language said about them.

Taken from my trade, here are 4 key behavioral indicators:

1.  POSTURE – While being interviewed, an executive candidate should strike a proper balance.  He or she should sit upright, and lean in slightly to answer a question or make a point.

Obama did that last night.  In fact, he looked comfortable in the chair even when answering moderator Bob Shieffer or addressing McCain. 

McCain, on the other hand, looked very uncomfortable in the chair.  His spine seemed rigid.  And when Obama spoke he often arched his back, tucked in his chin, and thrust his chest outward.  It wouldn’t take Jane Goodall to confirm that - like an Alpha Silverback – McCain telegraphed superiority towards a rival he considers inferior.

2.  EYE-CONTACT is so critical in an interview.  A candidate should look respectfully at his or her interviewer – or in a team setting, interviewers – to show confidence, commitment, and empathy.  Too little eye contact can be viewed as dismissive of the interviewer’s intellect and clearly communicate disrespect.  Too much eye contact could hit the interviewer as downright menacing.  The eyes should portray seriousness, but be relaxed enough to communicate compassion, friendliness, and approachability.

Obama seemed on-the-mark with eye contact towards the moderator and McCain.  And McCain seemed to display appropriate eye-contact with the moderator, as well.  But even last evening, McCain resisted appropriate eye-contact with Obama and he often rolled his eyes.  Combine these with his odd chair-posture and there was no mistaking that McCain possesses utter disdain for his rival.

3.  HANDSHAKE.  The handshake is often both the candidates’ first and last interview impression.  Too loose a grip (the wet dishrag) and the recipient feels as if the candidate lacks seriousness or committment to the job.  Too much (the Vise-Grip brand locking wrench) and the interviewer feels immediately threatened, or worse: you might recall that Cindy McCain suffered a wrist injury after shaking hands with an overzealous supporter.

Last night, I watched McCain and Obama’s first handshake and thought it was unremarkable.  No criticisms from me.

4.  FACIAL EXPRESSIONS.  The job candidate should have a relaxed face.  One should smile when appropriate, beaming and showing those pearly whites when beaming is called for, softer to show connection and compassion.

Obama’s face surely betrays inner-turmoil (if he has any).  If he has been nervous or anxious, he sure hasn’t shown it.  And his smile last night was deployed with great effect.  Obama didn’t overdo it, but would smile brightly in response to even some of the harsher comments made by McCain.

McCain, on the other hand, looked like he’d just survived an afternoon of root-canal.  His TMJ (transmandibular joints) pulsated and popped from his cheeks so many times one could be left wondering if he was transmitting Morris Code.   Perhaps TMJ-clicking is his coping mechanism, a way of preventing angry outbursts.  But on the television screen it showed McCain to be very agitated.

More on how non-verbals can sandbag a job interview, here.