Body language constitutes 90% of communication, while our words give only 10% of our overall meaning. Stance, posture, the use of hands, and expression all play a key role in getting your message across. In an interview, knowing how your body language is interpreted by others may mean the difference between a fantastic new job, and another week or month on the market.
We can assume that you’ve got the usual things under control. You’ve prepared a resume before hand, you’ve dressed the part, and you give a firm handshake while making eye contact. You smile. Those are the things interviewers know to look for.
Here’s what they don’t:
You may lean forward or backwards in your chair while you chat with your interviewer. Leaning forward implies engagement, while leaning backward implies expectation. The internet is an active medium, and most people reading this article will be leaning forward to scroll through and pick out the parts that are relevant to them. That’s the body language that will tell your future employer that you care about what’s being said.
Nod. Smile. Facial ques send messages without interrupting the person you’re listening to. This helps to keep the focus on the job, while still saying “I’m excited about what I’m hearing.”
Make eye contact with everyone in the room. Even if someone is shadowing your interviewer, and doesn’t ask any questions, addressing your responses to each person in the room will show that you are aware, adaptable, and able to integrate in to the social environment of the job.
Use body language when you’re talking on the telephone. Even if the entire interview is over the phone, the way you hold your body will be apparent through the energy and tension in your voice. Pacing or going for a walk will give your voice a sense of progress. Sitting or slouching will give it a sense of relaxation. Sitting forward with your elbows on your knees will strain your voice, as if you’re expecting something big to happen. All of these things are subtle clues your interviewer will subconsciously consider when you make your impression, and will form the primary means by which they judge your personality.
Show your palms. Grasping objects says to people, “I’m ready to leave now.” Picking at yourself, your face, your clothes, says “I should have done more to prepare,” and “my mind isn’t on the topic, its on myself.” You can combat these habits by showing your interviewer your palms with open gestures that prevent you from holding anything while at the same time giving an impression that is both submissive to their topics, and confidant in your responses.
Make eye contact when you say goodbye. Your attitude when you leave is often the most telling, because that’s when you have the opportunity to process the outcome of the interview. Your mind kicks in to high gear, and your subconscious mind has been putting together an agenda since you sat down. Take a deep breath, maintain eye contact and your smile, and walk away with squared shoulders. If you leave with confidence, you can be confidant that you’ll be back!
Dear Jenny,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge & vision.
It is very usefull information.
As a young martial artist, I never had to look for a job opportunity. I made sure I’m skilled in what I do, need to do.
I was called, asked for almost 90% of the jobs I did.
After a back-injury through a medical failure, I temporarely lost my abilities to teach & after a few years of recovering, there was little left from my past credibility.
Having nomore clean, oneway-resume ever since,I had a hard time to be self-confident & talk straight.
Despite the skills I still have, I was always chosen, but didn’t make it in the end.
After reading your post, I realised there’s something to learn here, & improve my present chances in forthcoming opportunities. I’m more conscious about the impressions left in an interview, observed from the other side.
Especialy the leaving is a weak point in my interviews, a weakness, the unconscious, expressing a lack of confidence at the end of the ride.
I understand better how to improve my chances now.
Time to practice.
Domo arigato gozaimasu,
Steven Segers
Tks so much!! very interesting for my futures interviews!!
Hi Steven, i am glad my article is helpful to you! Take care and good luck!
Regards
Jenny
Hi Jenny,
Indeed this is an intresting and equally useful topic. Its been some time that I appeared for an interview and now while preparing for one, this article has given me a heads up to prepare well.
Thanks for sharing
Regards,
Dimple
Hey,
These are very useful tips.
Never thought so much about all this.
Thank you so much for this insight.
Best Regards.
Mandar
yes it is true that part of an successful interview is the Body language but also worth to mention is the dressing and the questions from the employee he is asking !! which will give an insight to the employer ,if the indiv. is really capable to do the job.Therfore to be well prepared for an interview is of upmost importance
Regards
Christoph
http://www.cjexecsearch.com
Thanks… this is a very good article – especially the phone interview part – it is interesting to know that body language can make a difference even when we are interviewing or talking to someone on the phone. A positive body language then not only influences the interviewer but also the interviewee – since it translates into confidence, which is apparent in your voice!
Hi Rashmi, it certainly does. Telemarketing companies do tell their telemarketers to have a mirror on their desk and be watchful of their facial expressions as they talk.
You can do a little experiement yourself and take a call from a friend lying on your sofa or leaning back on your seat. Your call can “feel” your relaxed posture.
Regards
Jenny
Nice Article. I still remember the early coachings which i got from my father ( Marketing Person), about the importance of body posture. According to him the most important factor for being a successful marketing person was the body language.
He always used to say, when you are appearing for interview, the very first thing you ask the permission to enter the room even it is understood that you have to enter the room for interview. Take permission to sit down. The very first posture of sitting is upright. The shake hand has to be firm, neither loose nor very tight. The pitch of the voice should not be very loud , nor it should be so low that it’s simply unaudible. While in sitting position both the hands should be on your lap in listening mode. never put the hands on the table which is in front of you. As very rightly mentioned in the article, eye contact is very important, it reflects the confidance of the candidate. while leaving the room never turn abruptly & leave the room. Have a shake hand, take two or three steps back while facing the interviwer & then turn sideways & left the room.
Regard
Saumitra Yadav