Job Interviews And Body Language
Why do you think that most job interviews are not given via telephone? In the end, you could very well answer the questions without needing to actually meet your interviewer in person.
But is has been proven that more important than one’s words is his/her body language, the small signals your body transmits, and which can be important clues in deciphering your personality and your willingness to do a good job.
No matter how well you know what you want to let show, or what you want to say, humans naturally send and receive nonverbal communication, and this will happen to you as well; if your body language says the opposite of your words, be sure that you’ll be discovered and this could cost you the future job.
How Is Your Handshake?
Make sure to have your manicure freshly done. The best would be to let the interviewer initiate the handshake, then try to imitate his way of ding it. Don’t be too firm, but not too soft, either. Smile and look him in the eyes for a few seconds, but don’t stare.
Things That Could Kill Your Chances At An Interview
Clasping your hands behind your head
Fixing your tie or your collar every 30 seconds or so
Balancing yourself with the chair
Pulling your collar away, like you’re in danger of being suffocated
Picking at your face or touching your clothes or your face
Tight smiles – don’t forcibly smile, do it only when you have a good reason
Avoidance to look the interviewer in the eyes
Eyebrows wrinkling
Rapidly nodding your head
Nervous tics – if you have them, you may want to get rid of them anyway, as they annoy everybody around you already
Crossing your ankles – this signifies withholding information
Crossing your legs away from the interviewer – actually if you point them towards the other person, this should be acceptable
Crossing one ankle over the other knee, exposing your shoe sole
Crossing your interviewers personal space – don’t get too close, and do not bend yourself too much toward your interviewer while talking – keep the distance
Grinning – this is not polite at all, and it can be easily misinterpreted
“Faking†some cough if you’re asked some difficult question you don’t want to answer
Crossing your arms – this is impertinence
Loud, crazy laughter – you don’t want to be so expansive, as people might get scared and reject you
