A lot of communication is non-verbal. This means that it's essential to clearly communicate using your body and also be able to read other people's body language.

A truly engaged interviewer is just as important as the questions they ask.

Here's how you can communicate that you're paying attention:

• Ensure your body is on the same level as the person you're interviewing. For example, don't stand over a sitting person.
• Make and keep eye contact, smile and nod to communicate that the participant has your full attention.
• Avoid empathetic phrases like "I understand how you feel" or "something similar happened to me." Your job is to hear and record exactly what the person is telling you, not to insert yourself into the conversation.

You also need to pay attention to the participant's body language. Often, you can read more into an answer by how someone speaks and acts. These non-verbal cues help show you when to follow up, ask for clarification, or shift topics.

Some common non-verbal cues to look out for include:

• Crossed arms
• Fidgeting or twitching
• Not making eye contact
• Rushing through answers^[1]