5 Body Languages to Pay Attention During Interview

You may have heard from many people that you should prepare yourself before job interview. The preparation is including your general knowledge about the company, interview material, and even your appearance. However, what if your body language betrays your preparation during the interview? You need to note that body language plays an important role in the interview. Your body language can carry significant meaning both in a good and in a bad way in a communication. Unfortunately, it often happens under your consciousness. Here are 5 body languages to pay attention during interview that you should know.

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Eye contact

Try to maintain eye contact with the interviewer because it is a great way to show that you are paying attention. If you happen to be someone who often avoids eye contact when nervousness strikes, it is better for you to start practicing eye contact. Avoiding eye contact in an interview can leave an impression that you are unconfident or unprepared. But staring at the interviewer in the eye excessively will not help you to look professional also. Instead, it will make you look aggressive and make the interviewer feel uncomfortable. The point is to hold eye contact with the interviewer for a few seconds at a time before you look at the other things. The effective way to maintain eye contact is by focusing not only in the interviewer’ eyes in the other facial part such as eyebrows or nose.

Handshake

Some people might underestimate it but it is one of important body languages to pay attention during interview. A good handshake can be a key to a success interview. This is a moment where you can give a first impression so you have to make sure that you do it in a proper way. Try to aim a firm handshake, but not too tight. A firm handshake will give impression that you are confident. In addition, you may wipe your hands before your interview if you feel that your hands are sweating because sweating palms can indicate nervousness.

Sitting posture

Make sure that you are not leaning back into your sit because it makes you look too relax or, worse, lazy. If you have a habit to slouch, pretend there is something pulls you back. Try to be more aware with your sitting posture even from the beginning when you are waiting for your interview turn. Sit up straight and lean forward a little when doing interview. Do not lean forward too much because, again, it makes you look aggressive. By maintaining a perfect sitting posture, it will make you look confidence and engage to the conversation.

Fidget movement

Do you play with your hair often? Rub your neck or nose? Tap your fingertips? Or jiggle your legs? This is definitely one of body languages to pay attention during interview, or better, to avoid. Those are not only indicating that you are anxious, but can also be sign that you are bored and impatient. Later in your interview, try to be more conscious so that you can avoid the temptation. Keep your feet on the floor and use hand gestures only when it is necessary. It makes you look focus and signals engagement.

Smile

It is okay if you want to look friendly by smiling but do not overdo it. Show a polite and professional attitude. Smile where appropriate and laugh when the interviewer does. It shows that you are paying attention to what the interviewer says.