Is your Body Language Letting you Down?

A job interview is your chance to convince an employer that you’re the person they really want to hire. Your verbal communication skills will get a good work-out here—how you speak is often just as important as what you say. Even if you understand the importance of effective verbal communication, have you considered the fact that your body language might be letting you down during that all-important interview?

Before you speak your first word, interviewers have already formed their first impressions of you. Paying attention to—and controlling—your body language will help make that first impression a more favorable one.

The first few Minutes

Walk into the interview room confidently—upright posture, with your head up. Shake hands with interviewers firmly when invited to do so, and look directly at each interviewer you’re introduced to.

When invited to sit down, try to choose a chair that allows you to see all the interviewers clearly, and where they can see you clearly. It’s better if you don’t have to twist around in your chair to see interviewers who are located slightly behind you.

Adopt a sitting posture that is relaxed but not sloppy. Sit up straight in your chair, with your back against the chair’s back, and avoid sitting on the edge of your seat—this will make you look tense and nervous.

During the Interview

If you’re meeting with several interviewers, it’s important to give them all equal time in terms of non-verbal interaction. Look at whoever is speaking, and nod to indicate your understanding when they emphasize something important. When answering questions, look at each interviewer in turn—remember to maintain eye contact— then look at the person who asked the question at the end of your answer.

Unconscious fidgeting is definitely something to be avoided, but it’s fine to use hand gestures to emphasize what you’re saying. Let your interviewers be your guide in this respect—if they tend to use hand gestures, you can safely do so, but if they don’t make many hand movements, try to limit your use of them.

Pay attention to the body language of your interviewers as well as your own. If they shake their heads or lean back in their seats and fold their arms, that might be a sign that you’ve done or said something they find irritating. Check yourself—are you talking too much, or interrupting interviewers? Consider your interviewer’s body language as an early warning system—if you see any signs of annoyance, it’s time to quickly revise your interview style.

Still Stuck?  Try using the "The Job Interview Secret"

Also, please review our Free Interview Tips section.  If you need more help, please consider using a Career Counselor.