Body language is a major contributor to the attitude a person conveys to others. It’s a non verbal communication way which impacts the verbal communication. This non verbal communication includes eye contact, hand gestures, toe tapping, posture and so on. We get a complete message from others through his body language, voice tone and the verbal words.
Albert Mehrabian says that during a conversation dealing with feelings and attitudes, 7% of what is communicated is via what is said, 38% is via tone of voice, and the majority, 55%, is via body language. This is also referred to as the ‘7%–38%–55% Rule’ and is often considered in studies of human communications. While there is a wider debate about the percentage share which should be attributed to each of the three contributing factors, it is generally agreed upon that body language plays a fundamental role in determining the attitude a person conveys.
Here we especially focus on the impact of body language in a job interview. To know more about body language you can watch videos or read this article. One of my favorite videos is by Amy Cuddy, an article of Wikipedia. Following 10 body language tips is very effective while you are in an interview.
Your interview begins as soon as you enter the premises. When you enter the office and connect with the receptionist, executive assistant, or whoever you encounter, make sure that you maintain strong eye contact and introduce yourself with confidence. When you meet the interviewer, stand up and introduce yourself with a warm, genuine smile and a firm handshake.
- Stand Tall with a Confident Posture. To sit in a chair, sit in a confident and relaxed posture. Keep your shoulders back, chest open, and spine straight. Distribute your weight evenly on both feet when standing.
- Maintain Intentional Eye Contact. Look directly at the person you’re speaking to. Balance it with natural breaks to avoid staring. Avoid looking all around the room, looking down at your watch, or not making eye contact at all, as it makes you appear apprehensive and distracted.
- On the other hand, remember that maintaining unwavering eye contact without any variation in your facial expression is just staring and can make an interviewer uncomfortable or even signal hostility.
- Use Open Hand Gestures. Keep your hands visible and palms open when gesturing. Avoid crossing your arms. In a statistic it shows that, the least popular public speaker uses around 272 hand gestures during the 18 minute talk while the most popular public speaker uses around 465 hand gestures.
- Mirror Their Movements Subtly. Match your body language with theirs in a natural way. For example, if they lean forward, you can too.
- Own the Space Around You. Avoid shrinking into yourself. Use the space confidently, arms and hands naturally placed.
- Keep a Relaxed Facial Expression. Avoid frowning or tensing your jaw. Maintain a calm and neutral expression, a slight smile if appropriate.
- Use Strategic Pauses. When making a key point, pause briefly. Let your words sink in while maintaining eye contact.
- Lean In When Engaged. Slightly lean forward when someone is speaking to you. Shows interest and presence.
- Avoid Nervous Movements. Keep fidgeting, tapping, or adjusting your clothes, to a minimum. Practice stillness when listening or speaking. Walk with Purpose. Take measured, deliberate steps when you move around. Keep your head up and shoulders relaxed.
“Body language is 90% of how we are perceived. We can say, ‘I am a great fit for this position,’ two times and the first time comes off as confident, poised, and knowledgeable, and the second time as unsure, nervous, and inexperienced,” Eonnet says. “All that hinges on how we say something, not what we say,” she adds, which is why your physical and vocal delivery are so important.
For example, one study that looked specifically at facial behaviors during job interviews found that eye contact and smiling were particularly important to employers. In a separate survey by the staffing firm OfficeTeam, senior managers said that after eye contact, facial expressions, posture, handshakes, and fidgeting were some of the most telling nonverbal cues in an interview.
“Facial expressions can be the most misunderstood nonverbal cue,” says Monique Sample, a coordinator for employer and experiential development at Virginia Commonwealth University Career Services. “Our faces tell more of the story than any words we use. Being mindful of how you express emotion when speaking (or when not) is important when interviewing,” she adds. “Focus on answering the question honestly, enthusiastically, and with some emotion. You do not want to look stoic in an interview.”
Make sure your exit is just as strong as your entrance, regardless of how you feel the interview went. We are often our own worst critics, and it won’t do you any favors to showcase your disappointment by giving in to that slouch or looking at your feet dejectedly.
Repeat the steps from the entrance, including a genuine smile and a firm handshake, adding a “thank you” for your interviewer’s time. Place your chair back where you found it before you entered, and keep your shoulders back before closing the door gently behind you.
If the interviewer walks you to the exit or lobby, be sure to keep your energy up. You can use this time to ask general questions or make relevant small talk, whatever feels most comfortable. Even once you’re alone, if you have to wait for your elevator or ride in a visible spot, try to maintain your composure until you’re out of sight.
It’s completely OK if all of these tips don’t come naturally to you. Take the time to get in front of another person (or a mirror) and practice! Sit in your computer or living room chair (potentially in your interview outfit) and identify which position feels most comfortable. You can go through the motions with a friend and ask them to provide constructive feedback. If you know your interview will be remote, hop on a video call with that pal. They can help you figure out which angles look best or let you know if you appear too stoic.