How Your Body Language Could Be Sabotaging Your Job Interview Success

Hi Friends, I would like to share some information on body language.

Eye Contact

We all know that eye contact is a great way to connect with other people, but it can also be a double-edged sword. Too much of it can seem aggressive and inappropriate, while too little makes you look like you're being dishonest and have something to hide. So how do you find that balance between looking evasive and looking like you're about to challenge your interviewer to a duel? "Good eye contact is about maintaining eye contact, but it's not staring at the person for 40 minutes," said Vicky Oliver.

Eye Rolling

Although eye contact can be either good or bad, depending on how long you maintain it, rolling your eyes is never a good idea. Oftentimes, people will roll their eyes when they disagree with someone or when they think the other person has said something foolish. The problem is, people generally aren't even aware that they're rolling their eyes—so it's important to become really cognizant of what you're doing so that you don't offend your interviewer.

Posture

During an interview, you want to sit up straight—but not to the point where you look like an ironing board. By doing this, you will show that you're interested in the conversation you're having with your prospective employer, while not appearing too stiff.

Handshake

Just like with eye contact, your handshake can either leave an employer with a good or bad impression of you, depending on how you do it. "You don't want to break bones, but a firm shake conveys a more positive attitude than a limp wrist," Oliver said.

Tapping

You may not do it on purpose, but if you're tapping your fingers or toes during your interview, a potential employer may get the impression that you're agitated or that you have something better to do.

Voice

With so many hiring managers conducting phone interviews these days, you may think that you're off the hook because your interviewer can't actually see you. But not so fast: The way you say things—also known as paralanguage—can also tell a potential employer a lot about you. For example, if the tone or pitch of your voice is flat, your interviewer will believe that you're not really interested in the job—no matter what words you use to convey otherwise. Also, certain speech patterns—such as excessively using words like "like," "um," and "ah"—can tell an interviewer that you're not confident about what you're saying or did not adequately prepare for the interview.

Regards

Very nice one. These are useful tips to keep in mind while giving an interview. I would like to share my personal experience.

Once I was called up for an interview by a consultant. I went there and was told to sit as the consultant had not yet arrived. After he came, there was an interview of a boy which was over in just 10 minutes. Then, a girl went in, and her interview was over in just 15 minutes. However, when I was told to go for an interview, that girl was already inside, and the man told her to visit again after he was prepared for the interview questions that he asked, and then she was asked to leave.

Now it was my turn. He went through my CV and noticed that I am Roman Catholic. The worst thing I heard from him was that, as I am from this religion, I would be very open-minded. He then offered me a job in his consultancy office, but I refused as I understood what he meant by this. He also mentioned that he would change my attitude and take me very high. However, I simply refused. This was the worst experience of my life.

Why do people have such a cheap mentality that hurts a lot?

Regards,
Sneh Barnes.

Hi Manoj, I perfectly agree with your thoughts; however, I find all of this to be more theoretical. From my personal experience, I have observed that when we enter the interview room to face the recruiters, we generally get nervous, and all the worst body language takes place without consciousness. Therefore, I request you to suggest how to overcome this nervousness and develop confidence. Regards.

There is no specific advice on how to use your body language. You'll probably want to use your body language differently when talking to your boss compared to when you talk to a girl/guy you're interested in.

Awareness of Body Language

First, to change your body language, you must be aware of it. Notice how you sit, how you stand, how you use your hands and legs, and what you do while talking to someone.

You might want to practice in front of a mirror. Yes, it might seem silly, but no one is watching you. This will give you good feedback on how you look to other people and provide an opportunity to practice a bit before going out into the world.

Another tip is to close your eyes and visualize how you would stand and sit to feel confident, open, and relaxed, or whatever you want to communicate. See yourself move like that version of yourself. Then try it out.

Observation and Imitation

You might also want to observe friends, role models, movie stars, or other people you think have good body language. Observe what they do that you don't. Take bits and pieces you like from different people.

Some of these tips might seem like you are faking something. But "fake it till you make it" is a useful way to learn something new. And remember, feelings work backward too. Just play around a bit, practice, and monitor yourself to find a comfortable balance.

Patience and Practice

You can change your body language, but like all new habits, it takes a while. And if you try to change too many things at once, it might become confusing and feel overwhelming.

My name is Maulik Pandya, and I would like to share some information regarding the intention of the interviewer. Thanks to Manoj Devda for sharing such information, and thanks to Sneh for sharing your experience with it. As I am working in HR, I delve deep into the psychology of both candidates and interviewers. Please continue to share such information.

Whenever I conduct interviews, I analyze them from an analytical perspective, taking into account aspects like body language.

Thanks,
Maulik Pandya
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