All You Need is the Right Body Language to Ace the Interview

Your heart skips a beat every time you think of your job interview! You’ve thought about questions to ask your interviewer, and cautiously selected anecdotes of your work experience that will let the employer know that you’re perfect for the job. You look the part. You sound the part. But is your body language going to let you down?

Read on to know the Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to the nonverbal communication:

Eye Contact:

We all know that eye contact is a great way to connect with people, but it can also be a double-edged sword. You can appear aggressive and improper if you use too much of it while you can appear dishonest and low on confidence if you use too less. The trick is to use just the right amount and create that sense of balance between looking shifty and looking like you’re about to dare your interviewer for a duel! Good eye contact is about keeping eye contact, but not staring at the person for 30 long minutes!

Right Posture:

Whether you are standing or sitting, your posture says a lot about your confidence level. It also shows whether you are ‘hooked onto the conversation’ or not. If you slump, it implies low confidence and interest and if you sit stiff as
a rock then you exude nervousness which then makes the situation tight for any rapport building. It’s also seen that sitting with your arms and legs crossed might be interpreted as building a barrier and can send out negative ripples.

Don’t Tap Your Foot:

Shaking your leg or foot tapping are signs that you are nervous and extremely uncomfortable. Typically, this habit is more common with men but everyone should be cautious about this. Placing your feet flat on the ground with your knees touching is the best way to reduce both leg shaking and foot tapping.

Don’t use your hands too much:

Your hand movements can convey confidence, arrogance or defensiveness. They often emphasize your verbal statements but too much of it can distract the interviewer. Let your hands lie loosely on your lap or keep them on the armrests of your chair. Use your hand gestures only when and if needed then to support your words.

A smile can say it all:

A warm smile can be your biggest secret weapon! It’s seen that candidates often forget to smile because they are totally engrossed and worried about answering questions. Smiling in an interview not only tells the interviewer that you are relaxed but also helps you relax as well! It also shows your employer that you are a warm, open and friendly person.

Don’t be a nervous wreck:

Are you a pen clicker? Do you love to crack your knuckles? There is nothing like a quick distraction to send your interviewer completely off track and frankly up the wall. The message here? Keep your interviewer’s attention intact and avoid fidgeting!

Remember, your body language will be communicating throughout the interview process. It should convey a candid, robust and likeable persona. Applying these tips won’t compensate for being under qualified or unable to speak in complete sentences, but they will sure go a long way in making you a stronger candidate. And these days, when jobs are scarce, that could make all the difference in the world.