Nonverbal Communication in Interviews

What you do is as important as what you say.

These days, job interviews are more stressful than ever because there are more people competing for the few jobs available. That's why it's extremely important to be aware of your body language in order to make the best possible impression.

All the experience and preparation in the world are useless if you give the impression that you are not being truthful or are not interested. With a bit of practice, your body language can exude confidence and capability.

First Impression

Because your first impression is impossible to take back, be sure it's the impression you want to make. Show confidence by standing up straight, looking the interviewer in the eyes and smiling.

Next, be sure to give a firm, but not bone-crushing handshake. No one likes a limp handshake, and the impression it gives is weakness or uncertainty. If you aren't sure how to give a firm handshake, practice with a friend and get their input before the interview.

Show Interest

During the interview, be sure to continue to make eye contact, without staring. Too much eye contact is a turn-off, but not enough shows lack of confidence. This is another thing to practice ahead of time.

Lean forward slightly to project interest in the discussion. Listen carefully to all questions before answering and don't interrupt. If there are multiple interviewers, try to acknowledge each with eye contact during your answers. And by all means, smile if someone says something funny.

Stay engaged with all the parties in the discussion. It shows that you are alert and able to multi-task.

Things to Avoid

Avoid looking disinterested.

There are also a few things you should do your best to avoid. For example, don't glance at your watch. It tells the interviewer that you can't wait to leave.

Try not to fidget or fold your arms in front of your body. Fidgeting shows nervousness. A closed posture shows that you are not open to what the person is saying. And be sure to not lean backward in your chair. It gives the impression that you are avoiding subjects or are not interested in the discussion.

Considerations

You can pick up a few clues about how well the interview is going by watching your interviewer's body language as well. Try to watch their reactions to what you say and adjust accordingly. If they seem interested in what you are saying, things are probably on track. If they seem to lose interest, you might try shortening your answers a bit or ask for clarification.

As You Leave

It's just as important to leave a good impression as it was to make a positive first impression. As you leave, in addition to expressing your interest in the position, be sure to smile, give another firm handshake and look the interviewer in the eyes. Be as positive and confident as you leave as you were during the interview.

If all of these tips have been followed, your effort to prepare could be well worth it.

References

• CareerBuilder.com: Body Language Do's and Don'ts
• Body Language Signals
• ChangingMinds.org: Using Body Language