What Your Body Language During Interview Says To Your Hiring Manager?
Table of content
How important body language is?
Body language is important in the recruiting process. Indeed, a significant proportion of recruiting managers believe that a candidate’s body language can be a determining factor in a hiring decision between similar applicants.
Body language during interview is extremely critical in determining whether or not you can advance in your career. The adage “actions speak louder than words” is particularly valid during work interviews. The manner in which you express yourself has a huge effect on your interviewer.
Anything – from your facial expression to your hairstyle, accessories, and everything else you might be wearing – is scrutinized! Different people view you differently from the moment you walk in the company’s front entrance.
During interviews, appearance is important—not just how you dress, but also how you deal with yourself. Even if the answers to questions are perfect, the wrong body language during interview will convey the wrong message and negatively impact how you are viewed.
The below are few helpful hints to ensure you have flawless body language during interview to make a positive impression:
Facial expressions
Your smile is the default job-interview facial expression. Sure, there will be moments throughout the interview that a grin is inappropriate, but smiling as much as possible during the conversation is essential for demonstrating your excitement. One of the most common reservations interviewers have about interviewees is that they lack enthusiasm; a smile is a perfect body language during interview to convey how much you want the role. When you first see your interviewer, a friendly smile is particularly necessary.
Eye contact
As we’ve all know, eye contact is critical body language during interview. Some experts recommend staring at the interviewer’s nose instead of his or her eyes to prevent the creepiness of the gaze from being locked on his or her eyes. When listening to a question in a panel discussion, look at the questioner but also at the other interviewers. At last; eye contact is body language during interview that you, as a candidate, must take into consideration.
Head nodding
One way to show to the interviewer that you’re paying attention to and comprehending what they’re asking is to sometimes nod your head in reaction. This will convey to them that you’re enjoying the interview and value what they’re doing. That is to say, this body language during interview plays an important role in leaving a positive impression on your interviewer.
Smile
Change your body language during interviews whenever and wherever possible, and smile to create a positive atmosphere in and around the interview room. Smiling once at a time often demonstrates that you are at ease with the interview’s rhythm, which unconsciously tells the interviewer that your body language during interview is appropriate. Maintain a reasonably relaxed grin that is neither too timid to seem timid nor too exaggerated to seem silly.
Hand gestures
Body language during interview means using the hands in deliberate movements. Touching your fingertips, clasping your palms, and shaking your fingers as you speak are both indicators of sincerity and transparency. You might even consider placing one hand in your lap at a time. Learn more.
Clenching your fingers and waving your hands when speaking indicates that you agitated and erratic. Biting the nails during an interview is a no-no because it makes you seem uncomfortable and irritating. So basically avoid this body language during interview.
Posture
When the interviewer asks you to sit, stand up straight and try the strategic trick of leaning somewhat against the side of the chair to look willing. Maintaining proper posture and body language during interview is critical after you’ve sat down. Make sure you’re sitting up straight, with no slouching or hunching. Sitting up straight not only conveys confidence but also makes you feel more like a king, according to studies.
Stay on one spot
Accurately, from your fingertip motions to your thighs, strive to stay in one place. Otherwise, if you continue to fidget, it may be interpreted as you being irritated or uncomfortable with the interview process. This way, not only will your stance be right, but your attention will be on the interviewer and not on anything else. This body language during interview will make you seem more focused and involved in the session.
Avoid touching your face
Applicants who contact their faces often regarded as unethical and untrustworthy. Touching one’s skin, such as playing with one’s hair or scratching one’s nose, not considered healthy body language during interview practice.
Similarly, scratching your head or neck gives the impression that you are irritated or uninterested in the other person. Crossed arms and legs make you seem distant and protective. Instead, keep your shoulders back and your gaze fixed on the interviewer to show your interest in the conversation.
Mirror
Last but not least, being a carbon copy of the interviewer. Doing what the other person does is one of the easiest work body language during interview tips. But that doesn’t mean you can try to emulate the HR boss and make the whole operation backfire on you.
Match their optimistic body tone in order to easily gain the interviewer’s favor. But, tread carefully so that you don’t come off as too brazen or showy, as though you’re attempting to “clone” them. Nod if they nod, or change the stance slightly to share a similar body language during interview.
The most critical thing is to maintain a polite and competent demeanor toward the interviewer. Show dignity to the other party from the first hello handshake to the last gracious farewell to win brownie points.
Body language during interview few quick tips
- Sit up straight and firmly in your chair.
- Make and keep passive eye contact.
- Using hand signals to show yourself on occasion.
- Improve your stance – no slouching allowed.
- When you’re listening, nod your head.
You may be wondering how you can determine what body language during interview you should consider or avoid. It’s almost difficult to address this question without mentioning Huru. Huru is an artificial intelligence-based app that uses smart algorithms to train applicants for upcoming job interviews.
Potential candidates use Huru to identify their shortcomings in terms of not only body language during interview but also other factors such as fillers rhythm…
Elias Oconnor
Senior Copywriter