As college students and freshers, most people would encounter the job interview process. Although the process can be intimidating, it is a necessary step to cross in order to land your dream job. While preparing for a job interview, most people make it a point to work on their resume and communication. However, one factor that is sometimes overlooked is Body language.
The body language of a candidate can reveal feelings of boredom, insecurity, nervousness or confidence. Many job interviewers make it a point to study the body language of candidates. Additionally, body language can also subconsciously affect the mood of those around you and can provide others with information that goes beyond the spoken word. Body language may either reinforce or contradict what is said by the speaker, it is therefore important to ensure that the body language aligns with what is being said. Here are some tips on how to maintain a positive body language during the job interview.
Dress for The Job
The way a person dresses can reveal a lot about their personality. If possible, look up the dress code followed by the company and dress accordingly. If no such information is available, it helps to dress formally and present a well-groomed appearance. Clean and tailored clothes, well-groomed hair, smart shoes and a coordinated outfit helps to build the image of a confident candidate who respects the position that they are applying for. It indicates a sense of responsibility and formality that can build a good image even before the interview begins.
Build a Strong Posture
Adopt a friendly and confident posture. While at the job interview, make sure that you sit upright, with an open posture. A twisted posture can indicate nervousness and often has negative effects on the power of your voice. When sitting, be sure to take a comfortable posture that takes up the entire seat. Sitting on the edge of your seat will indicate to the interviewer that you are tense or nervous. While greeting the interviewer, engage in a firm handshake. It also helps to avoid negative body language postures such as folded arms, hunched shoulders, poor eye-contact and worried facial expressions.
Maintain Eye-Contact
Poor eye-contact is often associated with dishonesty, nervousness or lack of interest. In order to keep the interviewer engaged, you must maintain regular eye contact. If there are multiple people in the room, you can occasionally look around the room and maintain a two-second eye-contact with the people present. As a rule of thumb, keep your focus on the person who is asking you the question. This indicates that you are concentrating on the issue or question at hand.
Maintain a Calm Demeanour
When we are nervous, we tend to fiddle with our hands, shake our legs or constantly touch our face. However, such behaviour can often distract the interviewer and leave a negative impression. In order to combat the nervousness, rehearse the interview at home beforehand. If you need to release anxious energy during the interview, try to you wiggle your toes as it is less-noticeable. If you feel yourself getting nervous and losing focus, take a moment to breathe deeply and recollect your thought before continuing. Most interviewers will appreciate the slower, thoughtful answer over a rambling one. While answering questions, use a clear voice and avoid mumbling.
Leave on The Right Note
Once the interview is done, make eye-contact with the interviewers and thank them for their time. It also helps to end with a sincere smile. However, avoid smiling if it is not genuine as a fake smile can sour the mood. Maintain good posture and walk with confidence even as you are leaving the building as the interview is never really over until you have left the premises.
From small gestures to greetings and posture, humans communicate with each other through non-verbal cues every day. Being mindful of these non-verbal communication tips can build a strong first impression and get you one step closer to securing that dream job.
Team | MyOS