What exactly is Body Language?
Body language is a nonverbal mode of communication in which individuals communicate themselves via posture, gestures, facial expressions, and other movements and behaviors.
Although body language is normally unconscious, if you make an effort to detect and comprehend some of these signs or other types of nonverbal communication, you may be able to project confidence to others around you more successfully.
Table of Contents
- What exactly is Body Language?
- Communication through Body Language during an Interview.
- Summary
- Good Reads on Body Language.
Communication through Body Language during an Interview.
Body language during interviews has the potential to make or break your career. The saying “actions speak louder than words” is particularly relevant during job interviews. The manner in which you portray yourself has a big influence on your interviewer.
Everything is assessed, from your dress to your haircut, accessories, and whatever else you may be carrying! Different individuals view you differently from the time you walk through the company’s front door.
Here are some tips to help you make sure your body language is perfect so you can make a good impression.
Handshaking
It may be cliché to say that prospective employer like a strong, firm handshake above anything else, but it is still a crucial aspect of establishing a good first impression.
A firm grasp and direct eye contact demonstrate confidence and self-assurance. However, wait till the interviewer extends their hand before making the proper gesture out of respect and personal hygiene.
Make good eye contact.
Without proper eye contact, it is hard to have a nice and professional discussion. If your glance wanders across the room, the person on the other side of the desk will conclude that you are either distracted or too afraid to look at them.
It’s also not a good idea to engage in a staring contest with the interviewer just because your mother advised you to establish eye contact. However, you may attempt to maintain eye contact for a few seconds at a time.
If you must address more than one interviewer at the same time, address the person who asked the question first, but establish eye contact with all of them. Eye contact might be unpleasant or inappropriate for certain individuals.
Consider using nonverbal communication or vocalizations such as “uh-huh” or “Ok” to express your interest or thoughts. Staring out into the distance with your eyes out of focus or remaining still may convey that you are uninterested in the interview or perhaps afraid of the job.
Pay Attention to Your Tone.
An overenthusiastic tone will make you look overconfident. Often, the only meaningful advice given to individuals before an interview is to be confident.
While it is sound advice, speaking loudly and rapidly to compensate for a lack of confidence might come out as aggressive or even arrogant. Similarly, don’t allow your nervousness to cause you to mumble incoherently.
Keep your back straight.
Sitting up properly in your chair sends an obvious message of confidence and dependability. It is not suggested to lean forward or backward, since this reflects a very relaxed and “not-really-bothered” attitude. If you can’t sit up straight, try lifting yourself up from the head.
During the interview, your body language should be to push down on your shoulders and keep your upper body balanced. Maintain an erect, straight posture from the minute you enter the reception area. When asked a question, lean forward slightly to demonstrate your interest and participation.
Keep a Good Posture
A good first impression is made on any interviewer by having a good posture. It is important to convey a sense of self-assurance and dependability whenever you enter a room, whether you are standing, sitting, or walking in. Most job interviews will need you to sit on a chair, so make sure your back is straight and flat against the backrest.
While facing the interviewer, maintain your shoulders down and pushed back, and your neck and head in a straight line. Slouching should be avoided during a job interview. Although you may want to look casual and easygoing, this kind of posture generally gives the impression that you are disinterested in what is being said. That being said, it’s a good idea to lean forward while being asked a question, since this anticipates your response and encourages additional interaction with the interviewer.
Hand Gestures
Do you often fidget with your jewelry, pick at your nails, or tap your fingers? This style of interview body language might give the impression that you are bored or anxious. Keep your hands flat in your lap, not balled up or holding the chair arms, to assist control your fumbling fingers.
To take notes, maintain a pen in one hand and a notepad in the other. And, although you may gesture when answering questions, don’t go overboard. Maintain tiny, close-to-body actions. Flinging out your arms may give the impression that you are worried or aggressive, even if this is not the case.
Try not to touch your face.
Candidates who touch their faces are usually looked upon as dishonest and untrustworthy. Touching one’s face, such as fidgeting with one’s hair or scratching one’s nose, is not regarded as a positive body language strategy.
Similarly, scratching your head or neck gives the impression that you are bored or uninterested in the other person. Crossed arms and legs make you seem distant and defensive. Instead, maintain your shoulders relaxed and face the interviewer to demonstrate your participation in the interview.
Smile
Smiling indicates a wide range of pleasant emotions and character attributes. These characteristics include thankfulness for the chance, openness, confidence, friendliness, and confidence. Also, believe it or not, smiling might help you relax and alleviate stress. Don’t go overboard with it though. It’s all about finding the correct balance.
Breathe
One area where your anxieties might clearly show is in your breathing. When you’re frightened, your breaths may be quick and shallow, causing your speech to be hesitant and muted. Concentrating on your breathing is one approach to getting control of your beating heart.
Try the 4-6-8 method before the interview: inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for six seconds, then exhale for eight seconds. This allows you to concentrate on your breathing rather than everything else going on in your thoughts. During the interview, take a few deep breaths whenever you can to assist relax yourself and lead to a steady and confident voice.
Be responsive
Consider nonverbal signs like nodding and smiling, leaning forward, or vocalizing to show you’re paying attention to the interviewer while they’re speaking. These behaviors demonstrate that you comprehend what the interviewer is saying and agree with their assertions.
Your body language might also assist you in responding without saying anything! Nod to recognize what the interviewer is saying without interrupting them audibly. This might assist you in connecting with the hiring manager and remaining connected to the interview.
Mirroring the interviewer
Last but not least, be an exact replica of your interviewer. Doing like the other person does is one of the top job interview body language recommendations. But it doesn’t mean you should try to imitate your Interviewer and have the whole thing backfire just because they feel you are mimicking them.
If they nod in agreement with what you’ve said, do the same to demonstrate that you understand one another. Try changing your own posture to signal that you’re paying attention if they sit up straighter.
The idea is to be subtle in your mirroring. If the interviewer rubs their nose or coughs unexpectedly, mimicking them seems weird and unnatural. Similarly, if there is more than one interviewer in the room, it is plainly impractical to attempt to replicate all of their actions.
Finish on a high note.
Okay, you’ve made it to the conclusion of the interview. Everything went swimmingly, and you’re now ready to leave the room before anything goes wrong. The worst thing you can do is declare your natural desire to leave.
Moving too rapidly to get up or running for the door might be detrimental to the positive impression you’ve created. Get up of the chair slowly, as though you’d be pleased to keep chatting to them for hours.
Take your time thanking them, and extending the discussion to the door (if the interviewer walks with you) is a fantastic way to keep the natural flow going and prevent any uncomfortable silences at the end. Maybe bring up something you spoke about in the interview, but don’t spoil it by asking a ridiculous question!
Summary
Your body language during a job interview may have a greater influence on your success than you realize. Following these techniques, however, you may enhance your awareness of what you’re saying without uttering a single word, enabling you to ace your next interview!
Good Reads on Body Language.
