Interview body language

Introduction
Body language can be as important as the things you actually say.
Make eye contact when you first meet interviewers and during the interview, but try not to stare.
Don’t be too firm with your handshake or too weak.
Make sure you sit up straight during the interview, but lean forward slightly to show interest.
Nod and smile during the interview to show interest, but don’t overdo it.
Try not to fidget as this can make you appear nervous.
Stay relaxed and your body language will send the right messages to the interviewer.
The signs we send without speaking are sometimes as important as those we convey through language. Knowing how best to present yourself in terms of body language at an interview could be the difference between success and failure.

Some studies show that up to 70% of judgements made at interviews are based on non-verbal factors, so this is clearly an area that needs to be given special attention by anyone serious about their job search.

First impressions
It’s common to say how important first impressions are. Although it’s usually better to get to know someone before making any judgements, human beings can’t help but form opinions of others based purely on those very early moments of a meeting.

At a job interview, you need to impress the employer, but in the initial stages of the interview, for example, being collected from reception by the interviewer or another person, it is far more important to not stick out too much. What you’re wearing should provide the very first good impression. Your clothes should not look out of place for the position and company that you’re applying to.

Making eye contact is important. However, every now and then avert your gaze from the interviewer so as not to give the impression that you’re staring.

If you’re collected by someone who isn’t going to be interviewing you, don’t let your guard down. Think of each person you come into contact with as if they were the interviewer. Smile, make eye contact and be friendly. You never know, the interviewer may ask this person what they thought of you. It might not be the biggest factor in deciding whether you get the job, but it’s still worth making the effort with all the people you come into contact with.

The handshake
As with all areas of body language, the key with the handshake is to not be too extreme. Don’t be too firm and don’t be too weak.

Some people suggest trying to match your handshake to that of the interviewer, so for example, if they squeeze your hand firmly, you should do the same. However, this seems to be overcomplicating the process. Just relax, make eye contact and apply a reasonable amount of pressure, and you should be ok.

In the interview
Sitting down, like eye contact and shaking hands is a minor part of the whole interview process, but it still requires a bit of thought to make sure you come across as well as possible.

Here are a couple of simple tips:

Sit upright and at an angle to the interviewer. Sitting directly opposite may look confrontational.
Try to lean forward a little as this shows interest in what the interviewer is saying. Don’t fall off your chair though!
How you behave will obviously send messages to the interviewer. Everyone expects you to be a bit nervous. Unless you’ve got nerves of steel, an interview is a stressful situation. However, you need to try and limit the amount of nervousness you display and project as positive and confident an image of yourself as possible.

Here are three quick ideas to bear in mind during the interview:

Don’t fold your arms; this can appear defensive.
Try not to fidget, or play with your hair or any jewellery, for example.
Show interest in what is being said by nodding or smiling.
Try to stay relaxed during the interview. That might be easier said than done, but if you’re thinking too hard about your body language, the way you sit or how you act may come across as a bit unnatural.

Things not to do
Some have already been covered in the article.

Don’t worry too much if you find yourself doing any of the things listed below; we’re all only human so our nerves can sometimes get the better of us. Most of the actions in the list are things caused by feeling tense, so the more relaxed you are, the less these types of things should crop up.

Playing with your hair or jewellery – this comes across as nervous.
Tapping a pen – can make you look impatient or bored.
Touching or stroking your neck – this might seem a little flirtatious.
Slouching in your chair – this can look a little arrogant and might make you appear lazy.
Final thoughts
Many of the tips in this article may seem slightly trivial when compared to factors such as your skills and qualifications. However, by taking the above advice on board and putting the ideas into practice, you will be giving yourself a head start on those candidates who think their achievements alone will be enough to secure them a job offer.
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