Being aware of your body language is just as important as practicing interview questions before entering a job interview. Your body language provides an immediate and overwhelming insight into your emotional state. Most experienced employers can detect nervousness, hesitation, arrogance, confidence and the many other feelings expressed by the candidates during the job interview.

Body Language is different from one candidate to another, yet it still provides similar cues to an interviewer when evaluating your responses during a job interview. Learn how to use positive body language in a job interview. Doing so correctly will make you look and feel more confident, which in turn will improve your responses and better your chances of having a successful job interview.


Handshake: Shaking hands with interviewer(s) is good first impression. It helps you create a friendly and professional image. Make sure your handshake is firm and same pressure. Mirror your grip with the interviewer; it avoids any dominant vibes.

Sitting in your chair: Sit down slowly and take a moment to get comfortable. If you look relaxed, it'll encourage your interviewer(s) to feel at ease in your company. Avoid flipping the chair around, sway back and forth or lounging back in your chair.

Posture: Make sure you feel comfortable with your posture. Sit upright or lean forward a little to project a confident image. You should not fidget. Keep your feet close together or crossed and your body facing the interviewer(s).

Eye Contact: Look at the interviewer(s) when answering questions. Don't just maintain eye contact with the interviewer, who asked you the question, acknowledge all interviewers when providing your responses. Make sure you look sincere and honest and don’t forget to blink. 
         
Remember; try not to overdo eye contact with the interviewer(s). A gaze that lasts longer than ten seconds can cause discomfort. During silence, look away and don’t continue staring at the interviewer(s); this will cause discomfort.

Facial Expressions: A smile always eases nervousness, so smile; this will show your enthusiasm. Be careful not to look too eager or impassive that you don't seem to care.

Voice: Speak clearly and slowly without deviating from your natural tone. Do not rush your answers; pause when you are thinking of appropriate replies before answering questions. Pausing and thinking of your answer before responding to the question will help you avoid “uhs" and "ums" or other nervous mannerisms excessively.

Show Humor: Use humor appropriately in a job interview to relax your nerves and lighten up the atmosphere in the interview room. Be careful not to be overly humorous, your interviewer(s) may feel that you are not serious enough for the job.
         
The right amount of humor will show that you are a confident person who is relaxed
and capable of controlling tough situations.

Use your hands: The use of hands while expressing yourself as you speak shows a certain confidence in your responses. Use your hands to explain your answers or describe your ideas. The interviewer(s) will think you know what you're talking about. Try and keep your hands visible during the job interview.

Maintain Interest: Show interest when the interviewer(s) speak by nodding your head in approval and showing that you understand the question. Refrain from crossing your arms, thumb twiddling, finger drumming, and other fidgeting mannerisms.

Show Professionalism: Finally, keep your comments positive and on a professional level. Language should be clear, with simple jargon and no curse word or swearing.

Focus body language that's as free and natural as your speaking style, but don't be too controlled or rehearsed. When your movements are in sync with your answers, you'll seem confident and in control.

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Information provided by, HRinmotion Consulting Group, more information on job interviewing is contained in our Improving Interview Skills course and Job Interview Guide.

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