Job interviews require you to provide appropriate answers to the questions asked, to be dressed correctly, to handle annoying and tricky questions, and to adjust your tone of voice well; but there is one more thing that is just as important: body language. Your posture and movements can be as effective as your words, and sometimes even more so, especially if there is a professional in front of you who can interpret them. Therefore, we definitely recommend that you do not underestimate this topic. Additionally, some research suggests that the persuasive effect of words during an interview is only 10 percent. The emphasis and tone of voice account for 30 percent of this, while body language accounts for 60 percent. First, let’s briefly explain what body language is; it is a special language that significantly affects all forms of communication between people, allowing others to form opinions about us even when we do not open our mouths. The positive impression of the other party depends on the correct use of body language. Gestures and facial expressions, the posture of the body, and the style of handshakes are very important in influencing the person in front of you. Our topic is body language in job interviews; let’s continue from there:
The ideal time to arrive for a job interview is 15 minutes before the scheduled time. If you arrive at the last minute, you may be tired or even out of breath; this can lead to your body sending negative signals. Arriving 15 minutes early gives you time to relax, perhaps drink some water or check your makeup, and adjust your hair and tie.
You should adjust your eye contact and eye movements correctly. It is wrong to keep your eyes glued to the eyes of the person you are interviewing throughout the meeting, and it is equally wrong to avoid eye contact altogether. The former creates an aggressive and inappropriate impression, while the latter may suggest that you are insincere and hiding something. An automatic eye roll can cost you a lot, so you should be careful about this. This gesture usually indicates that you do not agree with the other person on a topic or that you think they are saying something silly, boring, or meaningless.
Handshaking is often involved in job interviews and is one of the important elements of using body language. During this, you should establish eye contact and find a balance between a strong handshake that feels like you want to break the other person's wrist and a loose handshake. Your chest and shoulders should be upright during the interview, and there should always be a slight smile on your face. A smile should never be a grin. You should not cross your arms over your chest, as this signals to the person you are meeting that you are closed off to communication. To evoke a sense of sincerity and trust, you should support your words with gestures that show your palms to the other person.
Job interviews usually take place in a room designated for this purpose. If the human resources personnel you will meet has entered the room before you, you should shake hands with them and wait for them to invite you to sit. If they enter the room after you, it is courteous to stand up to greet them.
Body language encompasses many things, including how you sit. Do not bend your knees and pull your feet under the chair you are sitting on, as this can make you appear as if you are ready to get up and leave at any moment. Your feet should be extended a reasonable amount forward and should point towards the person you are meeting. You should have control over the movements of your legs; constantly moving legs are a sign of stress and anxiety. There may be situations where crossing your legs is not inappropriate, but it is still best to avoid this gesture.
Learning body language is not difficult; you can improve yourself in this area by practicing interview exercises with a friend, recording your practice on video, and evaluating your behaviors. You can even ask someone you previously interviewed with but who did not hire you for their opinion on this topic. This may require a bit of courage, but it can also give you the opportunity to learn from your mistakes.
Business Life and Career
