Making a good first impression on interviewers begins before you ever get asked a question. Before your next interview, review these handy tips on how to improve your body language.
Nonverbal Communication in an Interview
Handshake
This is a popular topic that comes up when talking about networking, interviewing, and etiquette. A handshake is an important first and last point of contact that can convey confidence, poise, and warmth. When you go to shake someone’s hand, remember to smile, relax and breathe. Thinking of those three things will keep you from tensing up and help you have a more natural, effortless handshake. Keep your handshake firm, but don’t crush the hand of the person you’re meeting. Try practicing with a friend or family member to get the balance right. Keep the handshake brief to avoid it becoming awkward. Remember, your nerves might get the best of you, so practicing ahead of time can help to keep you cool during this initial greeting.
Eye Contact
Just like with a handshake, eye contact is all about balance. Too much can make some people uncomfortable and too little can make you seem unconfident. Don’t overthink it, but if you know you tend not to make a lot of eye contact, make an effort to meet the gaze of your interviewer as much as you can. Looking directly at a person can project ease, confidence, and a lot about your personality.
Posture
If you’ve ever been told to sit up straight, this is the time to listen. As with your handshake and eye contact, you can project confidence with your posture but it has other benefits as well. When you stand with good posture you allow more room for your ribs and abdomen to expand and contract, making it easier for you to breathe. A full, deep breath can calm you in a tense situation; so remember to keep your shoulder blades down and together, your shoulders back, and to stand tall.
Listening
If you have a hard time paying attention to others when they speak, you can improve your listening skills by paying attention to your body language. By facing someone, making eye contact, and leaning slightly forward, your attention to the speaker naturally increases. If you want to convey that you are paying attention to someone, avoid doing things that could express boredom or wanting to leave, such as looking at the door, your watch, or yawning.
Clothing
Another important aspect of nonverbal communication is your appearance. In addition to dressing appropriately for an interview, make sure you are neat, well-groomed, and well-rested.
Subtle Cues
Everyone has normal mannerisms that they do without thinking. If you are going to do a practice interview, you might want to record it so you can see what non-verbal cues you might be sending without knowing it. One movement to watch for is touching your face. Putting your hands on your face can make you seem self-conscious or like you are hiding something. Another example is making too many hand gestures, which can become exaggerated by nerves and give the impression that you are being defensive or dishonest.
Coming and Going
One more place to remember to watch your body language are when you are waiting in the lobby before the interview and when it is time to leave. When you go to an interview, be sure not to bring too many things with you so you can easily shake hands as you greet people and when you thank them before leaving.
Also remember you might not know who is observing you and which people can influence the hiring process. Treat everyone at the company as though they have the final say in whether or not you get the job. While waiting in the lobby, stay off of your phone, sit up straight and wait attentively for the interviewer to come greet you. When going through doors, hold them open for others or say “thank you” when it is held open for you.
Smile
If you can only keep one thing on your mind about your body language, remember to smile. Not only does it make you seem friendlier and more open, but it can put both you and the hiring manager or recruiter at ease.