The Importance of Body Language
You may have perfectly prepared the best answers and know your story inside and out, but if your body language is communicating anxiety, boredom, nervousness or disdain, the interviewer is going to sense it instantly and it will likely cost you the job.
When we meet with someone and we don’t feel we can connect on any level, it’s a frustrating experience. Tack on the fact that we are trying to assess this person to represent both us and themselves with our client and having zero connection can be the nail in the coffin.
There are ways that even the most monotone, unenthused or nervous person can combat negative body language with just a little preparation and thought beforehand:
Stand Up, Smile and Shake Hands – it sounds mundane, but when the interviewer comes in the room and you stand up, put a big smile on your face and give a proper handshake, you’re actually setting the tone for the meeting.
Say thank you – I don’t know why people wait to say thank you in an email after the fact. Thank the interviewer for making the time to see you when they walk in and let them know you’re excited to be there.
Know your story – like , if you don’t know it, or can’t tell it, you’re wasting everyone’s time.
Body Language is everything.
Breath & Blink – you laugh, but when people are really nervous they just talk and talk and talk without pause and it is impossible for the interviewer to notice anything else. So take a deep breath, make eye contact, and speak at an understandable rate.
Sit up straight – just like your mom told you. When you sit there slouching over the only thing you are saying is that you have no interest in being there.
Don’t cross your arms. Even though you’re probably just trying not to fidget, it looks defensive Make a conscious effort to place your hands on your lap, or on the arms of the chair or clasped on the table, just keep your body language open.
Laugh – it’s ok to laugh (it’s also ok to make a business appropriate joke), it shows you have some personality and it tends to lighten the mood. If something funny happens, laugh about it! Make sure you don’t just sit there and smirk, it makes it really awkward when the other person wants to laugh.
Read your interviewer’s body language. If they seem bored, confused or defensive, be aware and work to bring them back to you. Perhaps you’re rambling, or being too technical, or making too many excuses. Stop, breathe and think about how you may have lost them and how to bring them back.
Remember, making a connection with the interviewer is part of the interview. You set the tone, you control how much or little they learn about you. Open up!