What Is the 7-38-55 Rule?
Something many recent grads are finding out when they start applying for jobs is that the market is tough right now. To stand out, you need to ace your interviews. This means improving your communication skills. One way to do this is to bear the 7-38-55 rule in mind.
The 7-38-55 Rule Explained
Coined by Albert Mehrabian, professor of psychology at UCLA, the 7-38-55 rule states that most communication is nonverbal. This is based on professor Mehrabian’s own research, where he found that only 7% of communication is spoken word. The other is 38% tone of voice and 55% body language. When you take this into consideration, it’s clear that how you communicate is even more important than what you say.
How to Use the 7-38-55 Rule
To use the 7-38-55 rule to your full advantage, there are a few things you need to do during interviews.
1. Show You’re Actively Listening
When the interviewer is talking, pay attention to your own body language. Make sure that it’s clear you’re listening by keeping your focus on the other person, making eye contact, and smiling.
2. Speak Clearly
Take your time when answering questions to ensure you’re able to control your tone of voice. This is particularly important if the interview involves giving a presentation that you prepared in advance. Speak at a reasonable pace and make sure you add inflections at the right places to make the presentation sound natural.
3. Practise Power Postures
Practise sitting and standing postures that make you look confident and capable. An extra benefit of power postures is they make you feel more confident, which influences your tone of voice.
4. Opt for In-Person Interviews
Whenever you have the option, choose in-person interviews. This will avoid miscommunication — something that is more likely when body language is restricted.
5. Ask for Feedback
It’s reasonable to ask for feedback after an interview, especially when you’re a recent grad. This will help you improve your communication style for future interviews. You can also receive feedback by practising your interview technique with the staff at the career center on campus.
6. Stay Alert for Red Flags
It’s important not to just use the 7-38-55 rule for yourself but to also use it to detect the intentions of others. In particular, you should stay alert for employers who may be pushing you to take a position with unfavourable terms — something that’s unfortunately common when you’re a recent grad. For instance, if the interviewer’s words don’t seem to match nonverbal cues, dig deeper to determine if the interviewer is withholding information.
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