We know mastery of verbal skills is necessary to succeed in job interviews. So why are many of those who have a strong expression and are invited to an interview, even with a complete resume, still needed to get the desired result? This group of job seekers probably forgot that non-verbal skills such as body language are considered as much as verbal skills and work experience.
Although these people know how to speak for hours in defining their abilities, they have yet to learn to coordinate their body movements with the words that come out of their mouths. As a result, although they claim to be experienced in their profession, their body language shows something else, so the employer is misled.
In the following, we will review tips about body language so that you understand the employer during job interviews.
1. Sit straight and lean on the back of the chair.
Avoid bending forward in such a way that the chest and abdomen contract. Instead, sit up straight as if something is constantly pulling you up. Also, remember to lean firmly on the back of the chair throughout the interview. This way of sitting shows confidence and self-confidence, but do not exaggerate in sitting straight and firm.
When you get into a conversation and feel like it is stalling, leaning forward slightly is okay, but don’t sag your shoulders.
2. Do not glare at the employer.
Being able to look directly into the employer’s eyes is a sign of your confidence, but be careful not to turn into staring. Prolonged eye contact may be interpreted as rude behaviour.
Upward eye movements are a sign of lying and low self-confidence. So, to appear confident and straightforward, look directly into the employer’s eyes, but be careful to look at the entire face of the other party and look at the interviewer’s nose and lips every few seconds.
3. Use hand gestures while speaking.
Hiding your hands is a sign of distrust. Instead of sitting dry and motionless and putting your hands under the table or in your pockets, use hand movements to convey your message while speaking. This state will trigger positive emotions in the brain’s limbic area, and the employer will feel more comfortable with you. Sitting with your hands on your chest has the opposite effect and creates a defensive posture on the other side. Pointing can also be considered offensive.
4. Keep your palms open.
One of the most essential points you should pay attention to regarding hand movements is not to make fists. Finding the palm is a sign of honesty and commitment. So, use activities during which the palms are open and facing up while talking. The philosophy of shaking hands precisely mentions finding the palm as a sign of honesty and sincerity. And an essential point about shaking hands:
Refrain from handling too tightly or too loosely. Practice before the interview so your hand pressure is balanced when shaking hands with the employer. At the same time, keep your palm slightly up so that when you shake hands with the other person, your writing will be under his hand. Shaking hands shows that you respect the other party’s position. Remember, when your hand is in the employer’s hand, never put your other hand on his hand because this gesture is a sign of dominance and superiority and may be interpreted as threatening.
5. Place the soles of both feet on the floor.
Avoid crossing one leg over the other, especially in the knee area, especially for women. Instead, put your feet together at the ankles so that when you want to change the position of your feet, your posture change is not too noticeable.
The best position to sit in a job interview is to put the soles of both feet on the floor. There is a scientific reason for this way of sitting. Placing the soles of both feet on the ground strengthens the connection between the limbic areas and the brain’s neocortex, which means that when faced with complex questions, you can more easily escape from creative thinking to logical thinking or vice versa.
Walking while talking on the phone is recommended for a phone interview. Walking helps the hemispheres of your brain coordinate better, and you can give more thoughtful answers.
6. Fix the way you walk.
Walking in the door is your best way to use body language to impress the employer. It is said that your fate is decided in the first 10 seconds you appear in front of the employer. To look better, pull your shoulders back and hold your head straight. Adjust your steps so that each step is about 60 cm long. Don’t forget to make eye contact when you move towards the employer.
7. Take a deep breath and begin to speak as you exhale.
Breathe deeply to reduce your anxiety. Try to adjust your breathing so that you start speaking when you exhale. Practice diaphragmatic breathing (deep breathing in which the abdomen expands more than the chest) and take ten deep breaths before beginning the interview. Breathing correctly lowers the heart rate, regulates blood pressure, and reduces stress hormones.
8. Smile and nod occasionally.
Smile to show that you are listening and interested in what the employer is saying. Sometimes, nod your head to show that you have understood the topic of the discussion, but be careful not to repeat this movement one after the other.
9. Refrain from sticking to the interview table and managing the things you have with you.
If you’ve brought a portfolio, putting a few on the interview table is okay if you say something about them. Place the rest of your belongings, including your handbag, on the floor beside your feet. Putting a bag on your feet creates a barrier between you and the employer. Also, don’t stick too close to the table so that you can show your hand movements more easily.
10. Say goodbye chic
At the end of the interview, pack your things slowly and with a smile. If there are several people in the interview room and, for whatever reason, you want to refrain from shaking hands with all of them, we recommend that you at least shake hands with the employer or hiring manager and the employee who directed you to the interview room.
We hope you will have more chances in job interviews by following these tips. It’s in your best interest to work on your body language and practice the information we’ve reviewed at least once before the day of the interview. Be sure that employers are watching your slightest movements and will not be satisfied with your work experience only.
