Body Language basics for the job interview

Looking for a way to set yourself apart from the•Pay attention to your posture – Your mom
other candidates at your next job interview?probably told you to sit up straight and that's still pretty
Oftentimes a candidates body language can be thegood advice.  Sitting up straight and tall in your chair
deciding factor as to whether or not they get theprojects confidence and competence while slouching
job? Do you know what messages you are sendingcan be interpreted as not caring, as laziness or as low
with your nonverbal communications?self-esteem and confidence.
Today's horrible job market has resulted in people•Focus on making good, solid eye contact –
being unemployed for much longer periods than in pastDon't stare intensely into their eyes for the entire job
recessions and it's having a telling effect on how jobinterview like a crazy person, which can be creepy.
candidates present themselves during the interview Opt instead to maintain regular, strong eye contact.
process. Good eye contact is viewed very favorably by
Executive recruiters from a variety of countriesalmost everyone and is associated with
around the globe report that job seekers, frustrated byself-assuredness, honesty and trustworthiness.
a seemingly endless series of unsuccessful job•Your voice – When we get nervous we tend
interviews, are beginning to show negative bodyto speak faster and with a higher pitch.  To project
language patterns, causing them to fail the interviewconfidence and coolness under pressure, always good
process.  Job candidates are becoming discouragedtraits, practice speaking in a measured and deliberate
and losing confidence in themselves. This lack ofmanner.  Vocal quality is a big part of the message
confidence is projected by a person's body languagewe communicate to others…some say up to 38% of
while they are being interviewed for a job and this lackour communication is based on vocal quality, that it is
of confidence often kills any chance the applicant hadwise to practice how we will say things during the
for the position.interview.  This oft neglected part of preparing for the
Confidence, a high level of self-esteem and a belief ininterview can cause you to stand out from the other
oneself and one's abilities are the hallmarkes of a wellcandidates.
qualified job candidate.  Fail to display these traits and•Notice the interviewer's body language – What
you'll often find yourself failing to pass the interview,is the interviewer saying with their body language?
which for most positions is the most critical part of the Job interviews are a two way communication and
hiring process.  Conveying a high level of confidenceeffective communication requires you to properly
can be easily accomplished by being aware of one'sgauge the other person's body language so that you
body language and the impression your non verbalcan respond and act properly.  The interviewer
messages convey.needs to know you're a good fit for the company and
Want to make a powerful impression in your next jobits culture.  Correctly responding to the interviewer's
interview?  You need to manage the nonverbalcommunication, both spoken and unspoken, will let you
messages you're sending out to the interviewer.know if your a good fit for the company and the
 Here are five things to watch out for:company is a good fit for you.
•Your handshake – For such a simple and shortFocusing on these five areas of body language will
gesture the handshake has an enormous influence onhelp you avoid some of the more common mistakes
what people think about us.  If your handshake isjob applicants make during the job interview process.
weak and limp most people will form a negative Manage your body language in these areas right, and
opinion of you.  You should always deliver a firmyou'll make a powerful non-verbal impression that will
handshake while making good eye contact with thehelp you secure the job.
person you are shaking hands with.