Have you been to an interview before where you perfectly answered all questions correctly but were still being rejected? The answer lies in your body language.
A recent study suggests that only 7% of our communication is the actual words that we say; 38% are certain vocal elements like intonation, but 55% are non-verbal communication like facial expression, gestures, and postures.
Let’s explore the 5 essential body language moves that will help you leave a lasting impression on your potential employer.
An engaging posture:
Entering an interview room with a stance establishes the mood for the entire conversation. Stand upright with your shoulders squared and your head held high. This posture boosts your own self-assurance. When you sit down, ensure your feet are firmly planted on the ground and maintain posture. Avoid crossing your arms, as it can give the impression of defensiveness or being closed off. A natural thing for us is to slouch in the chair or fold our arms, & this looks like you’re making yourself smaller & wrapping yourself up. This gives a signal to the interviewer that you’re defensible or nervous. Instead, open up your body; don’t cross your legs or fold your arms. Just engage slightly forward from the waist, & this appearance will ensure the interviewer that you’re interested.
Perfecting the Handshake:
The handshake is an unspoken technique to create a lasting impression but many people get this wrong. The handshake serves as a connection with your interviewer and can influence how the rest of the interview unfolds. Strive for a handshake that’s not overly forceful. A weak handshake may convey insecurity, while a firm grip can be intimidating. Remember to maintain eye contact, offer a smile during the handshake, and repeat the interviewer’s name. This combination communicates warmth, confidence, and eagerness.
Perfect Eye Contact:
It’s essential to maintain eye contact in an interview, as it indicates your confidence, trustworthiness, involvement, and reliability. When you’re talking, make sure to gaze into the interviewer’s eyes. Avoid staring intensely or looking down, as it can create unease, rather than gaze between the left & right eye and mouth, which can last for 3 seconds, just enough to see the color of the interviewer’s eye. For a panel interview, make sure to look at everybody, especially the person who is asking you the question. A general guideline is to sustain eye contact for 60–70% of the discussion.
Mirroring:
Mirroring is an effective technique where the interviewee subtly follows the interviewer’s body movement. By mimicking the body language of your interviewer, you can make the interviewer feel more comfortable with you. If your interviewer leans forward, you can do the same after a moment. If they use specific hand gestures, incorporate similar gestures into your responses. However, this should be done subtly and naturally; overt mirroring can seem forced and may backfire.
Be calm & relaxed:
If a person is giggling a lot in the chair, keeps changing their body posture, or is playing with a button on their shirt, watch, or any other object, it’s a sign that they’re anxious or nervous. So, in this situation, one needs to slow down their breathing first. This will help to slow the heart rate and make them feel less nervous & more at ease.
By practicing these techniques, one can confidently nail any job interview and leave a positive impression on their target employer. Mastering the art of body language can significantly boost the chances of achieving one’s dream job!
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Writer,
Ashura Tabassum Arshi
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE