Body language is a form of communication where people do not need to speak to convey their ideas, messages and emotions.
Our body, facial expressions and actions already communicate many things that can be interpreted in different ways, which is why body language is considered 90% of how we perceive ourselves.
That being said, interviewers always pay attention to body language as it immediately reveals whether you are a confident, positive and capable person worth hiring.
With that in mind, here are some body language tips you can practice for your upcoming job interview.
1. Pay attention to your facial expression
As soon as you walk into the interview room, keep in mind how you will initially make a good impression through your facial expression. Keep your facial muscles relaxed and reduce the intensity you feel.
Frowning, puckering or biting your lips and wrinkling your forehead can make you look too nervous and unprepared for the interview, so avoid them as much as possible.
Instead, show a genuine, friendly smile because it will make you appear more likable, positive and bright. It encourages the interviewer to think that you are an excellent communicator and team player because of your upbeat attitude.
However, you must remember that smiling is done only when it is appropriate. Don’t overdo it as it can look too forced and inappropriate for the situation.
2. Make good eye and face contact
Interviewers are very keen to monitor the eye contact they make with the interviewee. Good eye contact shows honesty, sincerity and confidence in yourself and your answers.
During the session, avoid looking around the room or looking down at your hands. These actions make you appear distracted and worried. In turn, the interviewer may also feel disrespected because it suggests that you are not paying full attention.
Eye contact is also the basis for building bonds and good relationships in the workplace because it makes everyone feel noticed. But then again, it’s also weird to keep looking someone in the eye for too long. In this case, just try to look away from their other facial features for a bit and make eye contact again.
3. Show confidence by shaking hands
You can quickly establish your professionalism by offering a nice handshake. Be careful when shaking hands with the interviewer, because a handshake that is too strong can appear arrogant, but one that is too soft can make you appear weak or timid.
A firm handshake that feels “just right” is one of the best ways to show confidence and interview readiness without giving off a cocky image.
People in the corporate world are always attracted to the trust of others, so make this handshake memorable to immediately show that you are truly competent and ready for the job itself.
4. Control your posture and gestures
Interviewers also have sharp eyes when it comes to assessing the interviewee’s posture and gestures. They can quickly tell who you are just by looking at the way you sit, play with your hands, tap your shoes and shake your legs.
With this in mind, make a conscious effort to sit up straight, avoid slouching and keep your hands still to prevent unnecessary fidgeting.
Things you do unconsciously can make the interviewee feel uncomfortable or question your credibility as a worker. This gives you more control over how you use your posture and gestures to communicate something during the interview.
5. Lean in, but not too close
Leaning into the interviewer is a great way to show that you’re genuinely engaged in the conversation and that you’re also having fun learning new things in the interview.
However, leaning too close to the point where you invade the interviewer’s personal space is clearly a sign of disrespect and disregard for boundaries.
Knowing that there are still many ways to show that you are actively listening to the interviewer without causing discomfort between the two of you.
You can respond with words when appropriate, smile in confirmation, or nod periodically when you don’t want to interrupt. These alternatives will help you show your attention and awareness.
6. Come out strong, regardless of how the interview went
In fact, no matter how confident and prepared you are, a lot of unexpected things can happen during an interview. There are interviewers who are too strict and critical and always end up breaking the interviewee’s confidence.
However, regardless of how the interview went, make sure your exit is just as strong as your entrance.
Be sure to apply what you’ve learned: keep a relaxed expression, smile sincerely, shake the interviewer’s hand firmly, maintain good posture, and add a polite “thank you” for the interviewer’s time.
Whether you feel satisfied or dissatisfied with your performance, maintain the energy you had from the beginning.
Always remember that what you say is as important as how you act. Interviewers can easily judge your work ethic just based on your actions and what those actions communicate, so be sure to make a solid impression by using your body language in an approachable and confident manner.