Advice & Resources

Significance of Right Body Language for Interview
by Firingarr - 2015-03-07

Your body language can make or break your interview. It plays a key role in the interview, as your interviewer will weigh and judge you based on that. According to experts, 90% of the message conveyed during an interview is through non-verbal communication. Here are few tips to send the right message to your interviewer.

Sit Erect

Sitting erect with head held high shows you are confident, while a slight forward incline during discussions show you are interested. If you lean back, you come across as arrogant or lazy, whereas, slouching is considered as being lazy. Make sure to acknowledge what's being said with a nod.

Fidgeting or Fiddling

Being relaxed and calm is very important during an interview. Rest your hands comfortably on your lap after loosely clasping them, or on the table. If you fiddle your face, hands or neck, you send signals of nervousness or anxiety. Touching lips, nose or even your ears signal lies.

Folding Arms / Crossing Legs

Folding your arms across your chest shows you're defensive, or that you aren't open. Interviewer can think you are either not relaxed, or feel insecure or don't agree with what the interviewer. Never shake or cross your legs high up. They send signals of nervousness or arrogance respectively. Sit with your feet to the ground or slightly crossed at the ankle.

Eye Contact

Establishing eye contact shows you're honest, interested, listening and confident. If you tend to look down, you are sending signals of low self-esteem or dishonesty. Make sure to establish eye contact during handshake and during discussion. You should retain eye contact for a few seconds, before breaking off, so it doesn't come across as starring or dominating.

Pointing

Of course, you can use your hands while talking. But, don't point or chop, if you don't want to come across as aggressive. Always make sure the hand is around your naval height and not too high or low. It depicts balance and honesty.

Expressions that Don't Match

Your tone, body language and voice should sync perfectly. If you are nodding yes, while your face shows uncertainty, or your body language shows stiffness, it is a deal breaker.

Someone's Watching You!

You never know who's watching you right from the time you enter the campus for an interview. You might have been jittery or nervous in the elevator, but the person next to you saw that you were and happened to be your interviewer! So, not just from the time you enter the interviewer's cabin, be prepared well ahead. Some offices have the receptionist and other staff instructed about monitoring key candidates who drop in for critical openings. Also, most offices are now fitted with cameras and you never know who's watching what you're doing when you were waiting for your turn! So, stay calm, composed and exude confidence.

Handshake

This is a very important time for any candidate. Your handshake conveys how confident you are, so make sure you shake it right! Your handshake should be firm, but not too light or limp. Also, don't cover the hand of your interviewer, giving him or her the respect for their position.

When you follow these simple tips, you are sure to make a positive impression with the interviewer.