There is a mode of communication beyond words— body language. In preparing for the first day at college, an important meeting” with “Whether it’s your first day of college, an important meeting, or an interview, non-verbal communication plays a crucial role. Generally, you concentrate on what to say and rehearse important points to sound more credible. This is, of course, what everyone does.
Acknowledging that gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact are also subliminally evaluated is necessary. And this is with particular reference to job interviews.
In this blog, you will learn about the vital non-verbal cues that can help you determine your chances of clearing an interview.
Before moving further, you must know that:
- Spoken words account for 7% of how others perceive us.
- Voice tone accounts for 38% of how others perceive us.
- Body language constitutes a significant proportion and stands at 55%.
Therefore, you will likely miss being hired if you are not sending the right messages through your body language.
- Preparedness & Timely arrival
The first impression is the last impression!
Your interview begins as soon as you reach the premises, and you can earn some brownie points by being on time. Don’t just sit down at a place you find, but greet and treat everyone with respect. Exude confidence and poise throughout the time with a pleasantly smiling face.
When you enter the office and connect with the concerned person, your confidence will surely outshine if you arrive on time. Maintain strong eye contact and introduce yourself. If you are asked to wait, don’t look disappointed or start using your phone. Instead, sit at the allocated place in a comfortable position.
Stand up and introduce yourself with a firm handshake and a confident smile upon meeting the interviewer.
- Responsiveness
In order to be effective, be responsive. In order to be responsive, listen!
How do you feel when someone ignores you while you are speaking to them? Well! Pretty bad! Isn’t it? The same goes for other people when you do the same to them. And interviews are no exception.
Consider non-verbal communication to indicate your attentiveness to what they are speaking. For instance, you can nod, smile, or lean forward.
Your actions will make the interviewer feel they are being heard and you are paying attention to their words.
- Eye contact
Never, never, never let words come out of your mouth when your eyes are looking down!
You might be shy, but maintaining firm eye contact will give you an edge over others. On the other hand, a lack of eye contact will lead your interviewer to think you are disinterested or dishonest.
Learn the art of maintaining strong yet comfortable eye contact, as you don’t want to stare at the interviewer. Also, avoid shifting your eyes to and from the interviewer to save yourself from being portrayed as insincere.
If there is more than one interviewer, you can maintain eye contact with everyone as you shift your gaze. However, make sure to keep eye contact with a single person for at least a couple of seconds before shifting your eyes.
- Posture
Great posture never goes out of style!
Posture is the most solid mode of non-verbal communication and tells stories that aren’t spoken. Ensure you train yourself and improve at maintaining the correct posture to impress the interviewer.
Slouching sends a message to the interviewer that you lack energy and confidence. So, sit up straight and keep your shoulders back rather than up. Nevertheless, an overly stiff body is often associated with nervousness. Therefore, loosen up a little and sit in a comfortable yet active posture.
MUST READ: Skills to Master Before Your Next Job Search
- Hand gestures
Hands have their own language!
Hand gestures can help you add emphasis and give clues about your confidence and credibility. For example, right-hand movements signal that you are giving out information, while left-hand gestures indicate your readiness to receive information.
When you are not talking, put your hands in a neutral position and avoid attracting unnecessary attention to them.
If you are taking notes, don’t keep holding the pen in your hands once you are done. Unknowingly, you might start playing with your pen, thus, creating a wrong impression on the recruiter.
- Dressing sense
Dressing well is a form of good manners!
Take complete control in your hands by dressing right. If you aren’t comfortable in your clothes, it can be distracting for you and the interviewer. However, you don’t have to go over the board and create a fuss about your clothing.
Keep it simple & formal, and go for reliable options if you plan to buy some new clothes for the job interview. This tip will strengthen your candidature by becoming the best element of your body language.
The key is focusing more on comfort than showing off your wardrobe.
- Interview conclusion & exit
Congrats, you’re almost there!
An interview, as mentioned earlier, begins as soon as you enter the office. Adding to the fact, it only ends once you have exited the premises. Therefore, plan your exit as strongly as your entrance, regardless of how the interview went.
Pick up the activities from your entrance— a genuine smile, eye contact, and a firm handshake. Additionally, extend your gratitude to the interviewer for their time. Placing the chair back to its original position will also create a significant impact.
Bottom Line
Do you have an interview coming up but are nervous about exhibiting the correct body language? Here is one tip for you:
Consider yourself a brand that has to send nonverbal signals to the audience. Create your personal brand of confidence and trustworthiness.
If you are someone who can’t seem to get a job, you have come to the right place. Our smartly-crafted body language cues and non-pareil expertise to help candidates secure suitable jobs is at your service. Contact us. We will be glad to help you.
