6 Ways Your Body Language Can Influence Your Interview

February 18 2022 - What you communicate with your body language can often be the deciding factor in whether or not a company hires you. Most of us don’t think the things we do before we speak have an impact on what others think about us. However, in interviews, your actions and mannerisms will reveal a lot about who you are and what kind of person you are. So, it is important that before heading into an interview, you ensure that your physical cues are reflecting how you want to come across.

How can we influence our body language?

Body language is a really important message that we convey when we are in social situations and through our interactions with others. It is this message that will determine how others perceive us and their expectations of how we will act and respond. Recruitment companies such as Recruiteasy can provide advice on how to prepare for an interview - feeling confident will improve your body language.

If you’ve ever wondered what your body language says about you, here are the top 6 ways your body language can influence your interview.

1. Your posture

Your body language will have a direct impact on how you relate to others, and your posture is one of the most important cues that you can use. When interviewing, you want to project an image of confidence and calm. To do this, make sure your shoulders are back (imagine having a shelf across your back), look directly at the interviewer, and keep your head firmly positioned on top of your neck.

You don’t want to slouch in your chair or give off a "not so great" attitude by looking at the floor or towards the wall with your eyes half-lidded.

2. The way you move

The way you move in the interview plays a big part in the impression you convey. For example, if you answer a question and look down or away from the interviewer, it can be interpreted as being uninterested or shy. If your hands and arms are crossed defensively (just like we did as kids when our parents scolded us), it could be perceived that you are closed up and unwilling to share what’s on your mind. By contrast, if your movements are open and expressive (arms uncrossed), it shows people that you are comfortable with yourself, which makes them feel at ease around you.

3. Your voice

Your voice is another important part of your communication that will impact the overall impression you make. The way you speak and vocal inflexions are important aspects of body language, so maintaining a pleasant tone can help you come across as more confident and open.

4. Your facial expressions

Your facial expressions can also influence what people think about your body language when they’re hiring you. If you smile a lot during the interview and have warm, positive interactions with others, it will subconsciously reflect people’s perception of you as a sociable person, understanding, open-ended and willing to give feedback to others.

On the other hand, if you have a perpetual scowl on your face, they may perceive you as being unapproachable, impatient and even hostile. So make sure that your expressions are friendly and inviting.

5. Eye contact

Eye contact is another area that can greatly impact how others perceive you and it’s one of the most important factors in body language during an interview. When answering questions or speaking about yourself, try to avoid looking down at your feet or towards the floor. Instead, maintain eye contact with the interviewer throughout your conversation. This will show them that you are confident and comfortable with what you have to say. If you show the confidence and ability to maintain eye contact, you will come across as having a better personality, which will influence their impression of your body language.

6. The things you do with your hands

Your hands can also give off a strong message to others about how successful they think you will be at the job. For example, clenching your hands together while talking can send the message that you are nervous or feel insecure. Playing with a pen or pencil when you speak could suggest that you are impatient and can’t wait to be free from the interview.

So, what should you do with your hands? Be sure to use them! Gesturing when you speak will make people more interested in your words and it allows you to express yourself more clearly. Using your hands nicely during an interview shows that you are polite, friendly and well-mannered.

Body language is important in every aspect of life because it gives others the impression of who we really are. If you prepare properly for the role and do your research on the company, you will naturally be more confident, which shows in your body language.

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