Being the most qualified person for a job is no longer sufficient, interview body language is of great important.
Interviews are improvised scenarios in which the main roles and characteristics of the characters are sketched out ahead of time. “The hiring manager” has most likely reviewed your resume, and you, “the potential employee,” have probably done your research on the organization. Your goal is to make sure the situation plays out in such a manner that you’ll be recast as “the perfect candidate” when it’s all said and done. That’s why it’s critical to pay close attention to your body language and how it could affect your co-mental star’s state. Consider body language to be a nonverbal signaling system that, if mastered, can elicit a favorable response in the recruiting management’s thinking.
Before you even meet the recruiting boss, your body language might be assessed. As you sit in the lobby, consider how you engage with the reception and how you may act. Do you have a nervous, slouched demeanor? You never know who is looking. To project composure and confidence, take a few deep breaths and sit in a comfortable, upright posture.
What your physique says about your feelings can reveal a lot more than you think.
Typically, you are ignorant that your body language is expressing what you are thinking. With increased self-awareness and effort, you can exert some control over negative body language. Consider and avoid these following unfavorable gestures:
1. Crossing Your Arms
Crossing Your arms In front of you indicates that you are reluctant to new ideas and are insensitive to other people’s viewpoints. Keep your hands in your lap when interacting with someone, especially during an interview. Keep your hands at your sides when standing.
2. Give a friendly handshake
By effectively performing this classic icebreaker, you can quickly demonstrate your friendliness. A firm handshake can come off as arrogant, whereas a soft handshake can come across as frightened or weak.
“A confident handshake conveys an attitude of ‘I’m ready for this.'” However, practice makes perfect when it comes to your handshake; you don’t want it to be too forceful that it hurts the interviewer’s hand, or too soft that it sends the message that you aren’t confident for the interview.
Although this is arguably more about tradition than body language communication, I decided I’d raise this issue because many experts in the advice-giving industry do.
3. Bad Posture
Standing tall with your shoulders back exudes self-assurance and confidence. Hunching makes you appear smaller and demonstrates a lack of self-confidence. Your body language sends a clear and positive message about how you want to be treated. Leave a lasting impression. Make sure you’re prepared and confident in yourself.
4. Creating a negative first impression
Before you even introduce yourself to the receptionist, you should be in character, and you should stay in character while ready for the interview to begin. Leaning back, biting your nails, and tearing your hair out are all visual indications that should be avoided. You want to express that you are self-assured and aware, which is best accomplished by perfecting the strong yet relaxed posture: chest straight, shoulders back, head slightly inclined to one side to imply a thinking mindset.
5. Keeping tabs on Your Watch
The constant checking of the time signals boredom more than anything else. When speaking with someone, don’t look at your watch. You want to show that you’re really interested in what they’re saying.
Picking at your nails or messing with your jewelry? This style of body language in an interview can come out as bored or impatient.
Instead, make a church steeple by pressing the fingertips of your hands together. You’ll exude confidence while keeping your jittery fingers in check. Keeping your hands on your lap is another option. They can be arranged in the shape of a church steeple or resting softly on your legs. This can assist you in relaxing your shoulders and preventing restlessness.
6. Smile
One of the most effective methods to show sincerity and a nice, approachable tone is to smile.
Who appears more friendly and trustworthy, a smiler or a frowner— People are naturally drawn to a cheerful countenance in both job interviews and everyday life, and the feel-good endorphins that smiling releases into your body will help you stay calm and positive.
Before going into an interview, slap a grin on your face in the restroom, elevator, or anywhere else private; even a false smile might improve your attitude. However, avoid putting on false, suspicious-looking smiles in front of your interviewers. Instead, consider your successes and your desire for this chance.
A sincere smile covers the entire face, but a forced grin simply uses the mouth, and studies show that people can tell the difference.
7. Not Making eye contact.
Reflect neurons in the human brain, according to neuroscientists, can cause a person to act (and feel) in ways that “mirror” the behavior of another person with whom they’re interacting. “Oh my god!” exclaimed the speaker. You’re the one! What a fantastic opportunity!”
Recruiters rate failing to make eye contact as the #1 body language failure (67 %), so don’t be timid.
During an interview, maintaining eye contact signals the interviewer that you are confident and ready to continue.
8. Take note of your breathing.
Your breathing is one of the areas where your nerves might truly show in these job interview body language techniques. When you’re frightened, your breaths may be quick and brief, causing you to talk shakily and barely. Focusing on your breathing is one approach to gain control of your beating heart.
Try the 4-7-8 technique before the interview, which involves inhaling for four seconds, holding your breath for seven seconds, then exhaling for eight seconds. This allows you to concentrate on breathing rather than the jumbled thoughts in your head. Take a few deep breaths whenever you can during the interview to assist calm yourself and lead to a steady and confident voice.
9. The downward gaze
Looking down indicates a lack of enthusiasm or a sense of inferiority. Make sure you’re not staring when you make eye contact. This will subtly communicate to the other party that you are interested in what they have to say. If the eyes are the window to the soul, staring at someone when you’re talking to them shows that you’re paying attention. It’s good to make eye contact but staring is scary!
Recruiting administrators will also be examining how you approach them.
Do you need a confidence boost? Think Superman.
10. Sit properly.
If a prospective employer observes you stooping, they or she may presume you’re frightened, and sitting back on the couch can create the impression that you’re not taking the interview serious.
Sit as if a string is tied from the top of your head to the ceiling to avoid both. Pay close attention to the positioning of your feet as well. Most experts advise lying flat on your back with both feet on the ground, or crossing your ankles if need be.
Conclusion
There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be shortlisted for a Grammy if you’ve mastered the basic variety of body language while also stunning the prospective employer with your verbal proficiency. However, whether or not you secure the job is ultimately determined by your co-star – and, sad to say, the thoughts of a prospective employer is typically an uncertainty. All you can do is try your finest.