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Improve
body language to score in an interview
Find
out how your gestures and mannerism during the interaction can influence
the decision of panellists.
An interview call can generate excitement as well as
anxiety. Brush up your domain knowledge, read up on the company and its
affairs, browse newspapers to know what’s going on in the world, mug up a
few important statistics, and you are ready. Or are you?
Very few people realise the importance of
non-verbal communication during an interview. You may be saying all the
right things, but the panellists often look at what your body is telling
them. They will immediately notice if your tone doesn’t match the
expression on your face or the movement of your body. Here’s what to watch
out for.
WHEN YOU WALK IN
Be sincere and respectful
The scrutiny begins from the moment you walk into the room. Don’t go in
adjusting your clothes. Tidy up yourself before that. If there is someone
to direct you to the interview room, follow the person. It shows that you
understand and respect protocol.
Contrary to popular perception, a strong handshake
and assertive greeting is not what the panelists are looking for. HR
experts say you ought to come across as trustworthy, rather than confident.
Greet everyone in the room by making soft eye contact with each. When you
extend your hand to greet, do so with your palm facing upwards as it
indicates sincerity and honesty.
You can keep your portfolio on the table, but a
briefcase or a bag should be on the floor. Don’t keep anything on your lap,
which might be seen as trying to create a barrier around yourself.
AT THE TIME OF INTERVIEW
Sit straight, feet on ground
Do not take a seat until you are offered one. Sit in a way that you
occupy as much space in the chair as possible. Leaning back indicates
boredom or arrogance. However, leaning forward can be a sign of aggression,
even nervousness. Experts advise that you should sit straight, but not as
if a steel rod has been inserted in your spine. Keep both feet on the
ground and do not cross your legs, since you could be seen as being unsure
of yourself. There is also a theory that keeping both feet on the ground
allows one to use both hemispheres of one’s brain equally well.
Mind your head
If you keep your head straight, it shows you are neutral to what is
being said. Even tilting your head slightly to one side indicates a
positive attitude as you are telling the interviewer that you are ready to
listen. However, make sure you don’t face the panel with your head pointing
downwards. It signals a negative and judgemental attitude. Also, don’t nod
too much—it denotes nervousness and a desperate attempt to agree with the
panellists.
Maintain eye contact
Eye contact is crucial and should be as natural as possible. If you
don't look at the interviewer in the eye, it implies that you are a shy
person, who is unsure of himself. On the other hand, staring at a person
without a break can be intimidating. Hold eye contact for about 10 seconds
before looking at other members of the panel. At some time, you could look
away as you try to think of what to say. However, avoid looking down, which
is a sign of embarrassment or shame. If you are being interviewed by a
panel, make random eye contact with others before returning to the person
who asks the question.
Control your arms and hands
How you manage your arms and hands says a lot about you. Never cross your
arms when you are being interviewed. It is a sure sign of a closed mind or
defensiveness, implying that you disagree with what the interviewer is
saying. Keep you hands in your lap or on your knees, but don’t grip them
tightly, which indicates you are tense.
If you lie during the interview, your body may give
you away because the brain subconsciously instructs it to do so. One
classic gesture is the mouth guard. If you cover the mouth with the thumb
pressed against the cheek, it’s a sure sign of lying. There are subtler
signs like rubbing lightly below the nose or eyes. Even touching your ears
or scratching your neck can be indications that you don’t believe what you
are saying.
If you press the fingertips of your hands together
to form a church steeple, it suggests confidence. Clenching your hands
together might be seen as a sign of frustration or self-control. Concealing
your hands under the table indicates that you have something to hide.
Tapping your fingers is another nono. It shows impatience and nervousness.
Similarly, shrugging of shoulders signifies that the person is willing to
unload the problems or is detached.
AFTER THE INTERVIEW
Be calm and composed
After the interview is over, don’t let go of your composure. Gather
your belongings calmly, get up slowly but smoothly, and nod your head. It
is advisable to keep your belongings on the lefthand side so that you can
shake hands with the right. If it is not possible to shake hands with
everyone, do so at least with the head of the panel and the person who
brings you in. Even if you slipped up during the interview, a confident
goodbye could help improve the impression.
Shake hands with the palm facing
upwards to show sincerity.
Crossing arms is a sign of
defensiveness or disagreement with the panellists.
Don’t sit with one leg bent
backwards. It shows you are impatient or nervous.
Facing the interviewer with the
head tilting downwards hints at a negative attitude.
Rolling up your eyes or looking
away while speaking indicates that you are unsure or shy.
Keep the belongings on your left
so that you are free to shake hands.
ET130121
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