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The art of body language
Sit up straight, don’t slouch, don’t chew, turn up sober – got all that! What else? Well, don’t let your body language blow it now! Consider some additional tips that might just shift the tide in your favour over and above the plethora of other candidates swamping the market at the moment. We explore the body language that can help you get the job!
Shake the interviewers hand; a handshake should be firm and should be consistent with theirs. This creates a feeling of equality and removes the threat of power or dominance issues.
Take your seat when offered; make yourself comfortable taking care to achieve a balance between not slouching and appearing over-confident to sitting like an indifferent statue. Your posture will help the interviewer feel comfortable in your presence and will help create rapport. Try to sit with your shoulders and toes directed towards the interviewer. This creates a sense that your attention and interest is focussed on them.
It’s usually best to rest your hands on your lap or on the arm rests. It avoids you fidgeting and appearing nervous but means you can easily use gestures. Gesturing with your hands can be visually engaging and may suggest confidence. It will help give visual shape and reality to your ideas. Be sure to introduce these gradually. All things in moderation, you’re not signalling to land aircraft!
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Modifying your posture throughout the interview can also be helpful. When asked a question, leaning slightly forwards engenders a sense of interest, tilting your head reinforces this.
Maintain good eye contact with your interviewer. Keep it true and consistent and remember to blink – you don’t want to stare them out, you’re not a psycho! Focus on the person asking the question whilst periodically engaging any additional interviewers by casting your eye towards them.
Read body language; be aware of the behaviour of the interviewers. This will help give you clues as to how you’re coming across to them. You can then reinforce your behaviour if you feel you’re coming over positive or correct it if you feel you’re off course.
Being aware of how others are behaving and responding can also be helpful if we consider briefly the role of mirroring. Mirroring behaviour very subtly can help create rapport. For example, adopting similar seating postures, using hand gestures if your interviewer uses them, tilting your head if they do. Again, don’t go over board or they may you think you have some sort of problem. We’re simply saying that you can help win approval by ‘mirroring’ behaviour in a manner similar to the interviewer to help build rapport.
This article has been specially written for TalentQuest Ltd.
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