The Power Of Body Language

Why body language is so important in an interview?

Did you know that non-verbal communication speaks louder than words? Posture, expression, and eye contact can convey more messages than plain verbal communication. Understanding body language will help you improve your performance in an interview. Research has shown that less than 10% of what we are trying to communicate comes through words, 30% comes through in our tone of voice, and 60% through our posture and eye contact.

Make eye contact

Eye contact is vital in an interview. It determines your level of interest and speaks volumes about the kind of person you are. Shy people avoid eye contact. Employers will presume that such people may not be able to fulfill certain duties and important functions in the organization. A person lying about himself will also tend to look away, creating a feeling of mistrust. To come through as an honest and confident person you need to look the interviewer straight in the eye in order to develop a feeling of trust.

Look and sound interested

An active listener will sound interested, nod, smile, cock his head, and maintain a reasonable degree of eye contact. Inappropriate body posture can often be annoying and can trigger the wrong note. A person sitting slumped in his chair shows a lack of interest in what the interviewer is saying; on the other hand, someone sitting with his legs crossed will be conveying arrogance. Sitting in an upright position with a slight forward inclination is an ideal position for a candidate attending an interview.

Smile your way through

Understanding your body language will make you feel more relaxed and confident in an interview. Smiling has always worked wonders, but overdoses of it may create discomfort. Mastering the art of smiling at appropriate places is very important and comes through practice. Employers love cheerful workers; it makes the organization function smoothly and effectively.

Sell yourself with confidence

At an interview you sell yourself through communication. Be honest and direct in your communication, avoid too many hand gestures, don’t rub your nose and eyes, and make your conversation brief. When asked tricky questions about why you left your previous organization, or when asked how you would handle a crisis, be clear in your communication. Avoid stammering or offering lengthy explanations. The interviewer will get the feeling that you are lying about something. Such questions arise in all interviews, so make sure to prepare your answers in advance. Inventing stories on the spur of the moment will tend to lower your confidence level. Finally, irrespective of the outcome of the interview, remember to shake hands with the interviewer, smile, and thank him for his time.