Second Post

Using body language in an interview


In addition to the preparation required before attending an interview it is also important to consider what messages your body language sends out under pressure. Unfortunately, our bodies are more honest than words and less controllable!

An experienced interviewer will have a good idea of how suitable we are for a particular role through such seemingly innocuous acts as the way in which we sit or cross our legs. In an interview these inadvertent actions may be difficult to master, but there are some general steps candidates can take to show the interviewer they are enthusiastic, honest and confident.

Greetings

First impressions play a defining role in the interview process, so the greeting needs to go smoothly. Make sure your palms are dry prior to shaking hands; moist palms communicate all sorts of messages about an individual – none of them good! A solid handshake is the safest bet.

Sitting down is also less simple than it sounds! Assume a relaxed position, as this will help the interviewer to feel at ease in your company. However, you are not in front of the television so take care not to slouch, you still need to convey that you are awake and aware.

Avoid the tell tale signs

Make an effort to keep your hands away from your face. Gestures such as covering your mouth with your hand – something we do subconsciously every day – may be interpreted as nervousness and therefore dishonesty. Moving a hand to rub or scratch your eyes, ears or neck can be taken to mean the same thing.

One area you MUST avoid touching is your nose. Research at the Chicago Smell and Taste Research Foundation has established that nasal tissue swells and becomes itchy when a person tells a lie. The interviewer will thus be on the look out for the revealing sign of the interviewee scratching their nose … you have been warned!

Eye contact is another factor to consider before stepping into the interview room. Use constant and direct eye contact. There is nothing more annoying for the interviewer than being confronted with a candidate whose is frequently breaking eye contact and looking elsewhere; this will communicate lack of interest, shyness, dishonesty or all of the above.
To cross or not to cross

Consider what to do with your arms. Do not cross them, as this is an overly defensive posture. Try and find a position in which you feel comfortable. It is fine to be physically expressive with your arms as it can demonstrate confidence in what you are saying.

Equally there are dos and don’ts with your legs. While it is fine to cross your legs, if that is the position you feel most comfortable in, don’t keep crossing and uncrossing them and generally fidgeting, as this will highlight your unease.

Above all:

Try and project a serious and professional image at your interview. Don’t concentrate too much on getting your body language right as this could shift your focus from the actual questions. Finally, don’t be afraid to inject a little humour; it can show you are a confident person with the ability to act coolly when under pressure.