Interview Body Language: 10 Tips to Keep in Mind for Your Next Interview

________________________________________________________________________

New here? Welcome! I’m Toni and I’m here to help you get your dream job – with the salary, title, fulfillment, appreciation and balance you deserve.

I also have the following blogs to help you crush your job search: 

• Top 10 Things You Are Probably Doing Wrong in Your Job Search
• Workplace Sponsor Relationships – The Key to Boosting Career Success
• Interview Questions – Master Answers to These Top 5 to Nail Your Next Interview
• Interview Question: Tell Me About Yourself
• 3 Simple Ways to Stand Out at Work

________________________________________________________________________

Despite what you’ve been told, interview body language is important! In just about every job description requirement, you will likely find a blurb about good communication skills. Being able to effectively convey what you are trying to say clearly is something that can help bolster company/team success.

In fact, the Community College Daily states that out of all the soft skills a candidate can have, employers list listening skills (74%), attention to detail (70%), and good communication (69%) as the top traits they seek in a potential hire.

In short, communication and being able to articulate yourself to others is without a doubt vital to career advancement. However, would you be surprised that verbal communication actually only takes up a very small percentage of your overall message? According to Albert Mihranian’s 7-38-55 rule, communication comprises 7% verbal impact, 38% vocal tone, and 55% nonverbal actions.

This means that even if you can vocalize your answers during an interview, if your body language and tone do not exude confidence, you might not be putting your best foot forward to make a lasting impression.

Interviews are all about first impressions and illuminating that you are a perfect fit for the company. Below are some helpful body language tips to keep in mind before your next interview so you can optimize your chances of landing that dream job.  

1. Interview Body Language Tip #1: Body Language While Waiting:

If there is a room or office you are waiting in for the interview(s) to arrive, make sure that you are prepared and ready to make a confident entrance as soon as they come in.

This means sitting up straight, keeping your chest open, having any papers ready, and being able to stand up to greet with self-assurance. They may not see you before this moment, but they will notice your promptness and organization right off the bat.

2. Interview Body Language Tip #2: Give Firm Handshakes:

Unless you are going to a virtual interview, handshakes are a common standard when meeting an interviewer for the first time. Believe it or not, your handshake can symbolize a lack of confidence if it is too weak or aggression/dominance if too hard. Practice and find a happy medium that will show you are confident but still willing to be a team player all in one.

3. Interview Body Language Tip #3 Avoid Fidgeting:

According to Lifehacker, 26% of potential candidates were rejected for a role because they fidgeted too much during their interview, regardless if they nailed the questions asked. It may sound silly, but fidgeting/moving too much is highly distracting and portrays a lack of confidence and interview preparation. Even if you naturally fidget, make sure that you are proactively staying calm and still(ish) to remove the risk of being rejected for this reason.

4. Interview Body Language Tip #4 Eye Contact:

Eye contact is not something new, but it is one worth bringing up as it can set a more positive tone for the interview.  Keeping good eye contact and not looking down or away when they are speaking to you shows that you are serious and engaged in what is going on. Keep in mind that staring too much can make them uncomfortable as well. The best thing you can do is keep face contact (not full-on eye contact) with the interviewer and only hold strong eye gazes for 1-3 seconds at a time.

5. Interview Body Language Tip #5 No Slouching in Any Scenario:

Whether you are sitting or standing, maintain an upright posture the entire time without looking too wooden. Slouching can give off the impression that you are bored or are not serious about the role you are applying for. Along with this, make sure that you are not sitting upright on the edge of a chair to avoid looking anxious and remain at a forward-facing angle so your voice power is not accidentally hindered.

6. Interview Body Language Tip #6 Lean in When Speaking:

When answering an interview question, try leaning in very slightly towards the interviewer when you give your answer. Don’t lean in so much that it looks odd but just enough to distribute good signal cues to the person you are speaking with. This not only shows you are being engaged and ready to hold a conversation, but shows you are truly interested, which can all lead to a more impactful outcome.

7. Interview Body Language Tip #7 Be Careful with Hand/Arm Gestures:

Talking with your hands is not always a bad thing, but make sure not to overdo it too much to where it gets distracting. When done in moderation, hand gestures can amplify your expressions and your motives behind your answers. However, avoid touching your face, crossing your arms, or rapidly moving your hands, as this can make you appear uncomfortable, defensive, and/or insecure.

8. Interview Body Language Tip #8 Watch Your Breathing Patterns:

Breathing is one of those things people don’t think about much because it comes so naturally. However, in stressful situations like interviews, your breathing pattern might be a bit off-kilter, leaving you gasping for air in the middle of answering a question. To avoid this, take your time to catch your breath if need be and don’t rush your answers. Pauses in interviews are not a bad thing and can help you get back on track with your breathing rhythm and voice tone.

9. Interview Body Language Tip # 9 No Lip Compressions:

This body language might be something you do without even realizing it. Lip compressing is a very common act induced by stressful situations. By definition, lip compressions are when you press your lips together so tightly to the point where they may disappear.

This may seem harmless. But lip compressing can make the interviewer think that you are angered, stressed, or want to hurry up to leave the interview causing the discomfort.

10. Interview Body Language Tip #10 Smile:

Last but not least, make sure to smile! For this, it is good to have a genuine smile when you first meet the interviewer. You should also have one for the goodbye. Smiling during the interview is recommended as well, but don’t overdo it. Try smiling organically when talking about the subjects you are passionate about. Why? Smiling shows enthusiasm, friendliness, excitement and allows some of your personality to shine through.

Summary – Don’t Underestimate How Loud Body Language Can Be

When it comes to interviews, what you say is very important. The words you formulate to answer those make or break interview questions should be taken seriously and be practiced beforehand. But as you have seen from above, the way in which you deliver those answers is just as essential.

In summary, body language says a lot about who you are as a person. And interviewers will pick up on those bodily cues quite quickly when meeting you for the first time.

So, leverage the body language tips above. And remember to be mindful of your nonverbal actions from the moment you walk into the interview room. Because taking the time to sharpen those skills just might be the very thing that positions you above your competition.

And that will enable you to successfully earn that job offer you worked so hard to get.