Spring Break
Non-verbal communication key to landing job
Communications Professor Bobette Bushnell discusses
Aleks Cherednichenko
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: News
The combination of red and navy blue gives off a power vibe, and a woman crossing her legs while at a job interview sends a different message than her male counterpart. These facts about non-verbal cues and many more can be heard in Bobette Bushnell's Non-Verbal Communication class.
"Non-verbal communication is the most powerful thing," Bushnell said. "The way you walk, eye contact and your dress can influence someone's first impression of you."
Bushnell teaches her students how to apply various non-verbal cues to real life situations, like job interviews.
"It's a good class and Professor Bushnell does a great job getting us to interact and understand the material," said Stacey Nichols, a junior in communication currently enrolled in non-verbal communication. "Knowing about gestures and hand shakes helps you in the long run. You can read people and know how to better respond."
Bushnell has been teaching at OSU for the past 15 years. Topics in her class vary greatly. She advises her students what color of clothes may land them a good impression with their future boss and what's important in a phone interview.
"Pasty patterns can come off as frivolous," Bushnell said. "At business meetings you'll see men wearing navy blue suits with a red tie, it's a powerful combination."
Students going on their first interview want to present as much confidence as possible, Bushnell said. "But you also don't want to come off as arrogant."
Non-verbal communication cues can also be interpreted differently depending on the gender of the person who is giving them off.
"For females it's safer to not cross legs, but instead keep your knees tightly together and slant them to the side," Bushnell said. "But for a man that's not the case, it's not a big deal to cross your legs."
Flowing hair for females is associated with sexiness, and it's best to pull yours back when attending a job interview. "That kind of non-verbal cue may create conflict with other women already working at the office," Bushnell said.
"Non-verbal communication is the most powerful thing," Bushnell said. "The way you walk, eye contact and your dress can influence someone's first impression of you."
Bushnell teaches her students how to apply various non-verbal cues to real life situations, like job interviews.
"It's a good class and Professor Bushnell does a great job getting us to interact and understand the material," said Stacey Nichols, a junior in communication currently enrolled in non-verbal communication. "Knowing about gestures and hand shakes helps you in the long run. You can read people and know how to better respond."
Bushnell has been teaching at OSU for the past 15 years. Topics in her class vary greatly. She advises her students what color of clothes may land them a good impression with their future boss and what's important in a phone interview.
"Pasty patterns can come off as frivolous," Bushnell said. "At business meetings you'll see men wearing navy blue suits with a red tie, it's a powerful combination."
Students going on their first interview want to present as much confidence as possible, Bushnell said. "But you also don't want to come off as arrogant."
Non-verbal communication cues can also be interpreted differently depending on the gender of the person who is giving them off.
"For females it's safer to not cross legs, but instead keep your knees tightly together and slant them to the side," Bushnell said. "But for a man that's not the case, it's not a big deal to cross your legs."
Flowing hair for females is associated with sexiness, and it's best to pull yours back when attending a job interview. "That kind of non-verbal cue may create conflict with other women already working at the office," Bushnell said.
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