Career Tips
Mind Your Body Language On The Interview
So you're getting prepared for the big interview. You've got your clothes ready, updated your resume, you've done your research, rehearsed your lines, and you think you've got all your bases covered. But there's one thing you probably haven't considered. Your body language. The way you carry yourself carries a message that can make or break your chances of landing the job.
If you understand the basics of how body language sends either a positive message or a negative one, you can use it to your advantage. Here are some of the basics.
Greeting As they say, first impressions are everything. Make sure your handshake is firm without overdoing it, neither limp or viselike, and your smile is sincere.
Posture Remember how your Mom was always telling you to sit up straight? It’s still good advice. Good posture conveys confidence and authority. Try not to slouch or let your shoulders slump.
Fidgeting Nervously wringing your hands or fidgeting with things makes you seem sneaky and untrustworthy, which is unfair but that’s the message it sends. Keep your hands below shoulder level, out in plain sight, and keep them still as much as possible.
Feet Keep your feet on the ground, firmly planted in front of you, and don’t move them around too much. It's Ok to cross your ankles, but not your legs.
Eye Contact
Eye contact conveys that you’re interested in what the interviewer is saying, and it also keeps them focused on you too. That’s not to say you should stare, it’s Ok to look away sometimes, but at least keep your focus towards the interviewer.
