Understanding the 7-38-55 Rule in Job Interviews
Content creator and author Ankur Warikoo explained why many job interviews fail even when candidates have strong answers. He emphasized that interview success depends much more on how you present yourself and who you appear to be, rather than just the words you say.
The 7-38-55 Rule Explained
The 7-38-55 rule, from communication psychology, describes how people interpret messages by combining words, tone, and body language. Psychologist Albert Mehrabian introduced this concept, showing that when verbal and non-verbal cues conflict, people rely mostly on tone and body language.
- 7% of interview success comes from the actual words spoken.
- 38% comes from tone, confidence, and clarity of speech.
- 55% comes from body language.
Applying the Rule to Interviews
“Only 7% of your interview success depends on what you say. The remaining 93% is influenced by non-verbal cues, with 38% coming from tone, confidence and clarity of speech, and 55% from body language.”
Warikoo highlighted that many candidates prepare answers thoroughly but overlook the importance of how they deliver those answers and who they project themselves to be.
Key Takeaway
Mastering an interview requires focusing not just on your answers, but also on your tone, confidence, and body language to make a strong impression.
Author’s summary: Ankur Warikoo reveals that in job interviews, only 7% of success is about words, while tone and body language play the decisive role, often overlooked by candidates.