10 Body Language Tricks to Use during InterviewMany times we often conceive the interview process as a form of question and answer session where one party asks the other certain questions with the aim of determining his suitability for the job. This is essentially not true! The truth of the matter is that having the right and appropriate answers to the questions asked does not really guarantee success in interviews. The question then is what does? The straightforward answer to this is Body language. The importance of body language to human interaction stems from the fact that it continuously supports or contradicts everything you say and ultimately determines the opinion of the recruiter about your personality and subsequent suitability for the job.
Not to worry, as always, we have you well covered! Here are the top 10 body language tricks to take note of for every interview;Dressing and Grooming: Before you even utter a word at all, your dressing determines the first perception everyone forms about you and in most cases it is the very first score apportioned to you during an interview. Interviews are FORMAL occasions and are certainly not occasions to dress casually to. Except you are applying for a non formal work, i.
e. a job without the requirement of your academic qualifications then perhaps you might be permitted to dress casually but even at that it’s still better to dress formally. Keep your hair neat and ensure you do not use heavy jewelry. Regardless of your dress preferences and regardless of your gender, it is expected and required of you to dress formally and the clothes must be well ironed and clean too.Concentration: Many times most job seekers go into interviews having already rehearsed the answers to the likely questions that during the interview they seem aloof trying to remember the exact answers they have rehearsed in advance of the interview. As a result of trying to remember the practiced questions, you might get a bit absent minded and you could even end up answering the questions in an incorrect way. It is important that your mannerisms shows that you are present and that you have proper grip of the situation at hand.Interruption: Many times in a bid to impress and show off your knowledge during interviews, even before the recruiter finish reeling out the questions one after the other you might feel the need to interrupt him and give out the answer preemptively.
This is a bad habit that will create a negative impression about you. Doing this is not going to bode well for you eventually because it will portray you as ill mannered and compulsive. It will also portray you as proud and arrogant all of which are traits most organizations will not be looking out for in their prospective recruits.Comportment: It is important that you be cheerful and enthusiastic before and during the whole interview process but it is important that you comport yourself in a good manner.
By this I mean that you should not look too elated as you might come across as fake and do not appear too morose and serious too as you might appear as a boring and uninteresting personality that might be difficult to work with. Remember that aside your qualifications and degrees, your personality too counts, this is the reason why the interview is being conducted in the first place, it is absolutely crucial to come out as original as possible, you must not give them any reason to think of you as a fake person.Facial expression: Interviews can be intimidating you could get ‘butterflies in your stomach’ before the interview session and at times the interview panel can be intimidating. Ensure that you are in proper control of your emotions, don’t laugh too loudly, do not sneer or wink. Do not overdo anything, be calm and collected and just be you.Posture: Maintain a straight posture as you walk into the interview room. Walk into the room relaxed and confident.
Walk straight and when you sit, sit straight and do not slouch your body. The essence of sitting straight is not just a matter of good manners alone; it also helps your voice resonate better.Courtesy: The manner of your entry into the interview room is important. As you approach the individual or the group of persons saddled with the task of interviewing you; maintain a healthy personal space between you and the interviewer.
Do not stand too close and don’t attempt to hug them too; a handshake would do. Also, do not sit unless you are asked to do so. No matter how cordial or familiar the faces before you might seem, you must only do things according to instruction. You must endeavor to show respect to your interviewer at all times. Sit upon instruction and talk upon instruction. Even if you feel the interviewer was your junior or subordinate in college or he’s younger than you, the reality is that, regardless of how or what you feel, you must show respect because it’s his recommendations about you that will eventually decide your fate.Eye contact: Eye communicates trust and confidence so it is important to maintain eye contact with the interviewer.
Looking down on your shoe, table or anywhere else during an interview will portray nervousness and a lack of confidence and it is even possible such behavior is interpreted by them as inferiority complex and this will not be a helpful opinion about you. Furthermore, maintaining eye contact emphasizes your interest in the job and to an extent shows you are up to the task at hand.Gestures: As the interview session takes its course, your gestures also matter. Nod occasionally but avoid the use of your hands for description during the interview session. Pointing to your interviewer could be interpreted as rudeness. Don not put your hands in your pocket and do not fold your hands too. Your hands are just okay on your laps.
Also, whatever you do, please avoid the use of slangs it does not portray literacy and is surely not needed in a formal setting as interviews!Organization: This covers such aspect as punctuality and your general outlook. When going for an interview punctuality is important. Lateness under any guise even with a genuine reason is automatically a red flag for you. Another important factor for interviews is your credentials and certifications and this should include details of your references (referees). Your documents must be well arranged and cleanly folded. Doing this shows that you are well organized and it will certainly increase your likeability.
