Best Body Language for a Job Interview

Body language can speak more about a candidate than his or her professional references or resume. How a person uses the space they fill will show an employer how that candidate feels about themselves, the job they are interviewing for, and their intercommunication abilities. By being conscious of what they’re doing while they’re talking, job applicants can improve their presence in an interview setting and make a truly lasting impression on their prospective employer.

In general, candidates don’t want to come off as bored or unprofessional during the interview. Crossing one’s legs exudes a sense of being bored or uncomfortable. Scratching any part of the body gives the message that the applicant is unclean or has their attention elsewhere. Leaning towards the door, in essence, show the interviewer that the candidate has a deep desire to be anywhere but in that office—this will do nothing but hurt the individual’s chances of obtaining the job. Slouching in one’s seat gives the message that the applicant is a little too relaxed and will not preform up to task. Finally, candidates should never stare blankly at the interviewer; besides giving the impression of not knowing anything, a blank stare is the natural expression that most adopt when trying to distance themselves from a situation. This will, in essence, show the interview that the candidate wants to distance themselves from the interview.

However, showing the right body language is just as easy as having a situational awareness about oneself. Sitting up straight and leaning forward helps the candidate in two ways—it shows their interest in whatever the interviewer is saying while showing that applicant is in complete agreement in whatever is being said. Keeping an interested expression and nodding during the interview will further show the applicant’s interest in both the position and the content of what the interviewer is speaking about. Finally, candidates should smile whenever they speak. Besides exuding a sense of self confidence, smiling during an interview will show that the applicant truly enjoys and is generally interested in the work that he or she is interviewing for.

If one wants to make the best impression that they can, mastering the art of perfect interview body language is crucial. In short, individuals should not close themselves off or give off an impression of being disinterested, while good body language comes in the form of showing that the candidate enjoys the interview process and is genuinely interested in the job that he or she may be doing.