Before securing a face-to-face interview, a recruiter will read your resume and cover letter and may even give you a call to discuss the role over the phone. If successful, you’ll then be invited in for an actual interview. The biggest difference is that now the recruiter can see you.
If your interview is on Skype, you need to focus on your facial expressions and your eye contact, which we have explained in our article outlining the seven easy steps to prepare for a Skype interview.
As for the face-to-face interview, if not managed carefully, your body language can give the wrong impression. To ensure you’re conveying the right amount of professionalism, here are some guidelines for your body language to consider when preparing for an interview.
Power poses before the interview
The term ‘power pose’ was first used in 2010 when different psychologists, like Amy Cuddy, claimed that by holding a power pose before an interview, you could gain confidence and boost positive hormones in your body.
While other studies have discredited the effects on good and bad hormones in the body, research still shows that it makes people feel more powerful.
The most common ones are standing with your hands on your hips, your legs slightly parted and your head held high; or sitting in a chair with your hands behind your head and your feet on the table. To feel powerful, you need to hold the pose for at least two minutes before the interview.
However, you don’t want to come across as smug, so don’t put your feet on the table in a waiting room, or strike a superman pose in front of your interviewer. For more on power poses, see Amy Cuddy’s Ted Talk on the subject.
In addition to power poses, remember to smile and breathe deeply before your interview. Silvan Tomkins and Paul Ekman proved that our facial expressions not only reflect what we feel, but can actually alter how we feel. If you look confident, you’ll feel more confident.
Nodding and standing
Have you ever wondered why fundraisers wave to you at a distance and stand next to you rather than in front of you when they stop you in the street? That’s because they know that it can be confronting and invasive to hover over someone.
When you meet the interviewer, remember to stand at arm’s length from them to show that you respect their personal space. Speak clearly and slowly. Often, we tend to speak quicker when nervous, which can make us harder to understand.
Shake hands with your interviewer; it conveys respect and equality. Furthermore, it will insure you don’t do anything inappropriate with your hands like wave or fidget when you walk into the interview room.
Another small movement that can have a positive effect on your interview is nodding. Nodding is an easy way to show that you’re listening and engaged. When your interviewer is talking, nod gently when possible so they know you’re taking in the essential information regarding what could be your future position.
Posture and eye contact
We all know it’s important to stand and sit up straight, but if you have a tendency to slouch, it can be difficult to keep a straight back. Heath reasons aside, a straight posture during the interview will make you look more professional and more confident.
It’s one thing to slouch, but it’s much worse to avoid eye contact. Not keeping eye contact could be seen as evasive. Often poor eye contact is associated with a lack of confidence, concentration and even lying. With that in mind, make good eye contact a priority when you show up for your interview.
Which poses and gestures to avoid
There are many gestures and poses can we do without even realizing it. Here is a list of some of the worse ones:
Fidgeting
People often fidget when they’re nervous. Fidgeting refers to a number of small gestures such as playing with your hands, touching your face, flipping your hair, shaking your knee and moving your foot excessively.
All of these movements are distracting telltale signs that you don’t feel comfortable. Try to control these gestures to show a more professional side of yourself.
Sniffing or coughing excessively
If you’re sick or have allergies, you’ll not be able to avoid some of the symptoms. Be direct: tell your interviewer from the beginning of the interview that you might need to cough or blow your nose and that you’re sorry.
They’ll appreciate your honestly and frankness. Trying to hide the symptoms unnecessarily can be distracting and stressful. If you’re very sick, try to set another interview. Many people find it inconsiderate to go to work or to an appointment when you’re sick because you might infect others.
Crossing your arms
It’s important to have open body language to show that you’re open to new challenges and new responsibilities. If you don’t know what to do with your arms, consider placing them on the table and holding your hands, or putting your hands on your knees. Be careful not to make a fist with your hands because your interviewer will assume you’re tense.
Hunching over
Once again, it’s important to have open body language. Remember that your shoulders and your back say a lot about your confidence. Try to relax your shoulders and keep your head up.
Spreading your legs or putting your feet above the knee
For example, having your legs half-crossed with one foot on your knee. This doesn’t mean you need to cross your legs or keep them tightly together. But, it’s important to maintain a professional pose. You don’t want your future employer to think you’re overconfident or cheeky.
Your body language is important
We hope our tips on improving your body language have been helpful. Good luck for your next interview!
Need more guidance? Here’s five things you must do after a job interview.
About the author: Ali Neill is the job board tester and editor for the Jobboard Finder, the largest job board search engine.
