Body language can easily make or break an interview. It allows the interviewer to get a sense of your personality and confidence before any verbal communication. When interviewing, it is so important to put your best foot forward. Practice your answers, study the job description, dress to impress, and equally as important be aware what your body language is saying. You start interviewing the moment you walk into the company’s building, be conscience of how you are coming across. Remain polite, smile and look confident. People in an office talk and you never know who you are coming across.
An interview can make people extremely nervous, which in turn causes nervous habits. Resist these urges! Fidgeting, such as playing with your ring or jewelry, tapping your foot, shifting around in your chair can be extremely distracting to the interviewer. Nervous habits can make the interviewer feel uncomfortable or get the sense that you are overly anxious. You are there to present yourself as a potential value to the company, do not distract them from the message you are trying to get across.
Respect the space you are interviewing in, don’t throw your cell phone and belongings on the table. Put them to the side of your chair. Another side note, your cell phone should be turned off and put away prior to the interview. On the table, you can put relevant content such as a samples of work, a copy of your resume and paper to take notes on. Anything else should be tucked away until after the interview is completed.
Have confidence or at least appear confident; most have heard the phrase fake it ‘till you make it. Minimize anything before the interview that might detract from your feeling of confidence. Prepare, know the company, and dress well. Confident body language means standing or sitting up straight, leaning forward during the interview to show engagement, making eye contact, and not crossing your arms. Go into the interview excited about the opportunity and learning about the company. Keep in mind you are interviewing them, as well, as a potential employer. People are a company’s best asset!
A good handshake is the best first impression and end to the interview. It’s best to mirror the level of firmness and style of the interviewer’s handshake. When in doubt, maintain the balance of a strong handshake without being too firm or too weak.
Remember the interview starts the moment you walk into the building and ends once you leave the property. Remain professional, confident and be self-aware.
Good Luck!