Observe body language of your applicants
It shows how they really feel about the job
Melissa Milligan, CHAA, a patient access supervisor at Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver, always asks applicants if they have any questions about the job, but most reply "no."
"Many applicants don’t ask about the daily responsibilities of the position," Milligan says. "I will then give them a high level overview of what they can expect to do on a daily basis."
The applicant’s response gives her a sense of their comfort level with the daily routine. "By asking specific questions that relate to daily responsibilities, we are able to identify a good job fit from the start," says Milligan.
Some applicants give signals through their body language, however, as to what they really feel about the job responsibilities. "I have noticed in the applicants who have had prior experience similar to those in the role, their body language remains the same after the question is asked," she says. In contrast, applicants who have little to no experience tend to tense up, shift around in their chair, or clasp their hands a little tighter.
"Noticing these physical clues allows me to dig deeper with follow-up questions to see if the applicant is coachable in the job role or if they oppose it," says Milligan.
At times, applicants will relate the interview questions to a personal story. "That gives me more insight into their personality. I find this really helpful in my decision making," she says.
Milligan steers away from applicants who are unable to give specific examples or detailed responses. "It is a red flag to me when an applicant gives a vague answer to a follow-up question or is unable to ask for clarification," she says.
