Interview body language: How does body language affect your chances of getting a job?

Body language is the art of conveying messages or information without uttering a single word. This does not mean that one can read minds, but it allows one to make more informed judgments about the other person. In order for others to understand their feelings and emotions, people use different languages, whether they are talking to someone face-to-face, on the phone, or virtually. But body language is something that speaks even when one is not speaking.

During the recruitment process, recruiters focus more on applicants’ body language than their verbal responses. Only 7% of responses are verbal, which is largely influenced by word choice; 55% of answers are influenced by your professional attire, and the remaining 38% are influenced by the interviewee’s voice and the way the answer is presented. Interviewers examine everything about the interviewee’s demeanor, including their sitting posture; facial expressions, eye contact, hand gestures and other non-verbal responses. In an interview, positive body language makes you seem more approachable.

Here are some body language strategies you can use in your upcoming interview to create confidence and improve your chances of landing your dream job.

Be Camera Friendly – ​​Amidst the Covid situations, companies have started conducting virtual interviews which are now the main thing for interviewing candidates. While talking to the interviewer, the interviewee should always look up at the camera. Looking away from the camera lens gives the impression that the interviewee is inattentive and disengaged. The same goes for the face-to-face interview. While it is obvious that continuous eye contact with the interviewer is not the secret to success, making enough eye contact to convey attention and respect to the questions is.

Avoid smiling: You’ve probably heard people say that smiling during an interview makes a favorable impression on the interviewer, but sometimes it can have the opposite effect. This is especially harmful when you are interviewing for serious positions such as analyst, wealth manager and performance manager. This doesn’t mean you should never smile, it’s just that you shouldn’t smile all the time because it makes the candidate seem less competent or serious.

Being engaged: Active listening, whether done virtually or in person, is a critical part of successful interviewing. Nonverbal cues to demonstrate expertise and project a more focused appearance include leaning forward, nodding, and maintaining favorable eye contact with interviewees. Verbal affirmations such as “I see”, “I know” or “I understand” are helpful for participation and can be included in the conversation. A favorable impression is created and the right message is conveyed to the other person in the first few seconds of attentive listening.

Breathe calmly and deeply: The candidate interview process begins long before the candidate begins answering the interviewer’s questions. Before the interview, taking deep breaths can help you relax and give your brain more oxygen. This exercise makes you feel more relaxed and calm, which helps the candidate to achieve better results. Make an effort to approach the activity with confidence, even if you have to pretend at first.

Don’t move: People often look for nearby objects to play with or fix when they feel anxious; it’s incredibly distracting and sends unfavorable body language to everyone. Candidates should refrain from bouncing their feet, twirling their hair or touching adjacent objects. Psychologically, candidates who touch their faces often are perceived as dishonest and untrustworthy, while massaging your head or neck gives the impression that you are indifferent or bored with the other person.

The key formula 12X12X12 plays an important role in evaluating applicants: The first impression is made from a distance of 12 feet when they first walk into the office, next from a distance of 12 inches, while and how they are seated, and last but not least, the first 12 words spoken can determine the outcome, considering the non- verbal cues. The interviewer pays close attention to every detail and reads the candidate’s body language to determine the level of confidence rather than the level of theoretical knowledge.


(The author is Chairman, FOSTIIMA B-School)