Last udpated 11/09
By N. Bhatta for AOL Find a Job
Your resume is glowing and once you're in the interview room you can certainly talk the talk...but can you walk the walk? No matter how amazing your accolades or stellar your past salaries seem, if you're shuffling into the room in this competitive job market, you may be slowing down your chances of landing a high-profiled job. Give thought to your current glide and check out the advice below to see what your walk says about you.
Type of Trot: Speedy Gonzales
What Your Walk Says: If you're a fast walker, you may also be a fast worker which is prized in some setting but also may be problematic if you're so fast that you forget to pay attention to certain details or if you overlook something important.
Work for Your Walk: A career in data entry is super for your speed.
Quick Fix: Take time to smell the roses – or at least speak to your co-worker or interviewer-when walking. Avoid any pace that could elicit comments like "Where's the fire, buddy!"
Type of Trot: Strutting Your Stuff
What Your Walk Says: If you're someone who struts, you're certainly projecting confidence and capability, but you could also be sending out signals to others that you've got a big ego, which could be a turnoff.
Work for Your Walk: Climbing the ladder to be an executive will allow you to strut your stuff without fear of consequences.
Quick Fix: Feel free to strut your stuff in the workplace but make sure that your strut is followed up with a humble smile and pleasant conversation to ward off any concerns of egocentrism.
Type of Trot: Clack-Clack-Clacker
What Your Walk Says: You certainly aren't afraid to be noticed if you're such a heavy walker that your heels announce that you're coming way before you actually arrive, but if you work in an environment where quiet and calm is key to productivity, you could be sticking out like a sore thumb.
Work for Your Walk: Getting noticed is half of the battle as a pharmaceutical sales representative so give that career a shot if you're a clacker.
Quick Fix: Shoe repair stores can replace your soles and heels with rubber ones for a small fee that could lead to a large promotion once the disruption ceases.
Type of Trot: Always Behind the Group
What Your Walk Says: Lagging behind in a group sends the signal that you can't keep up or are not interested in the others, which is a problem in workplaces where team players are most valued.
Work for Your Walk: A career path like being a driver, where you can work solo instead of depending upon the group, is best.
Quick Fix: Opt for more comfortable shoes so that you can easily stay ahead of the pack instead of trailing behind.
Type of Trot: Silent Sneaker
What Your Walk Says: If no one knows you're coming until you've arrived, you and your hard work may go unnoticed.
Work for Your Walk: A career as a programming analyst or a similar field where you don't have to rely on in-person meetings to make a statement is best.
Quick Fix: Make sure that the appreciation for your abilities isn't as muted as your walk by setting appointments with your bosses for reviews and by specifically pointing out your qualifications in interviews.
Type of Trot: Slumped Over Shoulders
What Your Walk Says: Walking into a room with your shoulders hunched over evokes a lack of confidence in oneself and one's abilities. Potential employers or current bosses might question their confidence in you if your walk suggests that you aren't confident in yourself.
Work for Your Walk: Hunching over the computer in an information technology job or in other technology-related jobs naturally fits your style of walk.
Quick Fix: Look in the mirror and try positioning your shoulders so that your shoulder blades are trying to touch. Your chest will open up and create a more confident walk.
Type of Trot: Eyes Straight Ahead
What Your Walk Says: If you're known for walking with your eyes straight ahead, you're probably known as a confident and focused worker with your eyes on the future.
Work for Your Walk: Any career like sales, where your eye contact can help seal a deal.
Quick Fix: You've got your eyes open so just make sure that the quality of your work matches your confidence.
Type of Trot: Slow Walker
What Your Walk Says: Some may be annoyed by a slow walker, assuming that they are ineffective, but certain types of jobs may appreciate it as a sign that you are thoughtful and detail oriented.
Work for Your Walk: A career where being careful counts, like in healthcare.
Quick Fix: If you're a slow walker, don't feel the need to speed up for the sake of appearances. Instead, provide your boss or potential employer with a list of projects that you've completed in the recent past to prove your effectiveness.
Type of Trot: The Zig-Zagger
What Your Walk Says: If you find it hard to walk in a straight line, fellow and future workmates may see you as someone who is all over the map and not especially efficient.
Work for Your Walk: Careers like those in the retail industry where multi-tasking is a part of the job description will welcome your walk.
Quick Fix: If you love to weave as you walk, try making your movements make sense by zigging to speak to someone or zagging to pick up copies, instead of just aimlessly bobbing around.
Type of Trot: Eyes Down
What Your Walk Says: People who walk with their eyes focused on the floor are not only deemed unconfident but also appear to only be focused on the here and now and not interested in what's in front of them or upcoming events.
Work for Your Walk: A job in manufacturing, where your attention needs to be on what's right under your nose, is a great fit.
Quick Fix: Practice having better eye contact with others or at least focusing on something other than your shoes – your paycheck will probably thank you!
Next: What Your Body Language Says About You >>
See Also
Jul 20th 2009 @ 2:20PM zombietoad57
The manner in which a person walks has very little relevancy to his or her personality and career.
I noticed a pattern in these kind of articles, from walking to conditioned body reflexes and how they relate to one's traits and career possibilities. In truth, I believe these articles are ridiculous and irrelevant, the only purpose they fulfill is taking up space and angering me about small annoyances as this...
Reply
Jul 20th 2009 @ 2:53PM Toni
I agree completely. They do not know your hours and what job you have and your personality. It can only tell you that its the way you walk. nothing about your personality. There are many dying people in the world and we care about what our walk says? Really dissapointing. I know more about myself than my computer does.
Jul 20th 2009 @ 3:15PM Jane B.
I agree with you. I am a retired behavioral psychologist.
People walk according to the time, day and event! Dr. B
Jul 20th 2009 @ 3:19PM imhere
you are right...they are all so obvious and ridiculous. I hate AOL, they just insult people's intelligence. Maybe I should change my home page and stop complaining about them...
Jul 20th 2009 @ 3:39PM Marie
It's not so much that these are entirely correct as that the way people *see* you because of them is. It's like a horoscope; 98% correct, 2% laughably wrong.
Jul 20th 2009 @ 7:40PM John
Open your mind. here is at least some amount of truth in everything.
Jul 21st 2009 @ 5:18PM Kitty
It's too bad people are judged by the way they walk. For example I was born with Spina Bifida. I am lucky to be alive and walking. I am confident and have extreme work ethics. Be assured - I even put in extra effort to be sure I didn't walk with an extremely noticable limp.... so too bad to the employer who didn't choose me because of the way I walk.
Jul 24th 2009 @ 5:51PM sue poston
Did the "mind-body" connection PRINCIPLE just pass you by
entirely as you lived under the rock or what? Most definitely there is a connection to a person's walk AND
their "mind"- maybe you aren't "fond" of walking or "using"
your head---
Jul 25th 2009 @ 1:08AM kat
YOU ARE OBVIOUSLLY A "ZOMBIETOAD"!!!!
Aug 11th 2009 @ 2:18PM Topshottakg
I agree... like wth. i walk with my eyes down. and that has nothing to do with my personality. cause im not unconfident at all.
Aug 11th 2009 @ 3:20PM PEGGY
lol so how do you walk
Aug 11th 2009 @ 4:00PM wrangler
AMEN and AMEN!!
Aug 11th 2009 @ 4:21PM jkellyjohnston
WELL SAID !! Thank you!
Aug 11th 2009 @ 4:21PM Jenny
I agree that your walk has NOTHING to do with your job capabilities. I was a recruiter for physicians for three years and for 16 years an executive assistant recruiter for the Chairman's office. What is relevant is your backround, your tenure, your responsibilities and ability to get along with staff and other executives. With physicians the primary requirement for ER Physicians, aside from being board certified and no drugs in the background, was education and the ability to develop an instant rapport. I do think your walk may have something to do with your personality, but these comments in this article are something of a figment of the author's imagination, in my humble opinion. The worst people to work with in recruiting, were the Human Resources. They were AFRAID to make a mistake so they would interview 50 people for one job. When working directly with the Chairman, he would see maybe three people and make a decision. HR rarely is tuned into the Chairman's needs as they do not deal with him, which is why outside agencies are important, that specialized. Regarding the physicians, the Administration vs the Medical Director in hospitals, are rarely on the same page. One is concerned with making money, the physicians are concerned with the patient's care. It certainly has nothing to do with how you walk.
Aug 11th 2009 @ 5:24PM mortgrabel
just don't read them........
Aug 11th 2009 @ 5:33PM Kerrkaters4u
Thank You U hit the nail right on the Head, It is all Crap!!!
Aug 11th 2009 @ 6:12PM RoxC
Funny! you still made a comment
Aug 11th 2009 @ 7:02PM Filabuster
I agree, this $hit was clearly written by a woman churning out her daily turd sandwich worth of work because some big wig thought it would be a good idea to further criticize people. OP likely walks with her hands on her bosses balls.
Hey guys next week we will get to see what kind of lover we are based off how we wipe our ass.
Aug 11th 2009 @ 7:11PM Prince
You are dead wrong on this subject. You have no idea what revelancy is all about. People walk for a purpose and that deems the way they see the future. People walk to maintain a happy lifestyle and stay in shape.
Aug 11th 2009 @ 7:42PM resa
so why so you read them??