Do’s and Don’ts Of Body Language in Interviews

You could be saying how great you are, but your body could be giving your true feelings away. The expression “it’s not what you say, it’s what you do” is never more true than during job interviews. Your body language can have a significant impact on how you’re perceived, and so you have to be aware of it from the moment you step through the door. That’s right, you’re being judged even before you’ve uttered your first word.

Pay attention to your interview body language – it plays a critical role in determining how you come across in the job interview.Here’s some expert advice on Do’s and Don’ts of Body Language in Interviews.

Do’s :

• Sit properly. Sit upright but in a relaxed fashion leaning slightly forward at about a 10 to 15 degree angle towards the interviewer. This sends the message that you are an interested and involved candidate.
• Show your enthusiasm by keeping an interested expression. Nod and make positive gestures in moderation to avoid looking like a bobble head.
• Subtly, of course. Touching your fingertips together suggests authority but, as with all things, use it in moderation.Keeping your palms facing up is a sign of openness and honesty, so keep them in your lap. Try not to clench your fists or wave your hands around to make a point, it will make you seem nervous and unpredictable. And please don’t bite your nails. You’ll look nervous and it’s really distracting
• Place both feet on the floor. Crossing feet at the ankles or placing them both flat on the floor sends a message of confidence and professionalism. Jiggling or moving the legs creates an irritating distraction and indicates nervousness. Resting an ankle on the opposite knee looks arrogant and too casual, crossing the legs high up appears defensive.
• Maintain direct eye contact. Keeping direct eye contact with the interviewer indicates active listening and interest. Eyes that dart around suggest dishonesty. Looking down gives the impression of low self-esteem.
• Smile and nod where appropriate, and laugh when the interviewer does. You want to show you have a personality and you’re paying attention to what’s being said.
• Interruptions can happen. If they do, refrain from staring at your interviewer while they address their immediate business and motion your willingness to leave if they need privacy.

Don’ts :

• Rub the back of your head or neck. Even if you really do just have a cramp in your neck, these gestures make you look disinterested.
• Sitting hunched forward, or lounging with arms and legs everywhere has the effect of looking a little too relaxed. You don’t want to sit there tightly clutching your fists in your lap, but you also don’t want to portray a casual, not really bothered attitude.
• Don’t Touch your face. People who play with their hair or excessively touch or rub their noses can seem dishonest and untrustworthy.
• Don’t cross your arms. Folding arms across the chest suggests a defensive type of position. It sends the message that the candidate is feeling threatened and ill-at-ease and is shutting the interviewer out. It can also send the message that the candidate does not agree with or buy into what the interviewer is saying.
• Tapping your fingertips in the arm rest or jiggling your leg up or down. It’s a sign of boredom and impatience. 
• Stare back blankly. This is a look people naturally adapt when they are trying to distance themselves.
• Don’t overdo direct eye contact; too much contact without breaks can make the other person extremely uncomfortable and can be suggestive that you are domineering.

Best Of Luck.