How to Use Body Language in An Interview

In terms of your resume and experience, you may be perfect for a job. But when it comes down to in-person interviews, somehow you just never seem to get the great offers.

Many recruiters say that they know within seconds whether a candidate is right for the job. Too often, they say, the person who appears ideal on paper comes slouching into the interview, offers no handshake or a limp-fish handshake, or fidgets endlessly.

You could be brilliant, but if you annoy the recruiter with bad body language, your good prospects may turn sour fast.

Here are points to remember from the moment you walk in the door.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Before you enter the room, make sure your hand is warm and dry. Then offer a firm but not overpowering handshake to each interviewer.
   Sit straight in a posture you can maintain for the duration. It doesn’t hurt to shift now and then, but try to be subtle.

2. Remember, eye contact makes you appear trustworthy. Wandering eyes make you appear evasive. Whether there is a panel of interviewers, or just one, when you are asked a question, look that person in the eye. Then as you answer, casually divide your attention among those present.

3. Keep your arms uncrossed to avoid looking defensive. It can feel awkward, but it’s generally good to keep your hands loose on your lap or on the armrest. Just don’t hold the armrest in a death grip, and don’t drum your fingers. Body language experts say that showing your palms now and then is a gesture of honesty. They also say that steepling your fingers in front of your chest as you listen shows you are thinking about what you are hearing. That can be overdone, however. If you can’t do it naturally, you may want to skip it altogether. Also, be careful not to flail your arms about with too many gestures. If you are standing, don’t put your hands in your pockets. This appears too casual and perhaps disinterested.

4. Plant your feet firmly on the floor so that you don’t fidget. Crossing your legs can be good, but not if you cross and recross or are tempted to shake your foot. Some body language consultants say you should not point your knees at the door, lest you appear to be eager to flee. They also say that pointing your knees at the person you are speaking to, whether it is an interviewer or a friend, shows that you are in sync. Pointing your knees away from that person shows a disconnect or atmosphere of disagreement.

Tips & Warnings

• Misc. points about body language: If given a choice of where to sit in a panel style interview, sit where you can see everyone.
• Leaning toward the interviewer a little bit is okay, but don’t lean so far that you invade his or her space.
• If you’re not sure how if you’re striking the right balance between formal and informal, err on the side of formality. Recruiters know that in an interview, you will feel stiff and nervous, and assume that you will relax a little after being hired. But if you show up too casual, you’ll look like you don’t take the process seriously.
• Touching your face while you are talking is said to be a sign that you are not being honest. Watch politicians on TV. Some, when asked tough questions, are noted for touching their faces as they answer. Don’t rub your neck. This is a sign of boredom.