Body Language For Interviews

Body language plays a very important role in everyday life. Even little gestures can make a big difference in how others perceive us. Body language for interviews becomes even more important.

When you are meeting with someone to discuss a job, you’re being evaluated on your performance, knowledge, personality and behavior. You have to do everything possible to convince the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the job.

You might spend hours reading information about the company. Many of you will think of answers to possible interview questions and role play with friends. But you might be forgetting one thing…

… the importance of body language!

Interviewers pay careful attention to your facial expressions, body movements and gestures during an interview.

Your non-verbal behaviors can be more important than what you actually say or the questions you answer. They provide essential clues and indications about your suitability for the job.

Even if you answer all of an interviewer’s questions really well, you may lose the job.

Do you know why?

Because of your body language! Your gestures and behaviour may not have convinced the employer that you’re the best person for the job.

Why is it important?

Let’s create a scenario that will illustrate the importance of confident body language for interviews.

Envision the following:

I’m in the process of interviewing for an important advertising position. I have my coffee mug in one hand and a long list of questions in the other. I’m determined to find the perfect employee before lunch rolls around.

A few minutes later, I receive a phone call to meet my first candidate of the day. I hope this person will be really outstanding. Maybe I won’t have to interview anyone else. I tell my secretary to usher in the first person.

In walks a young man with hunched over shoulders and his hands stuffed firmly in his pockets. He looks down at the floor and doesn’t say a word. I wait a few moments and finally extend my hand. At this point, he offers a very weak, sweaty handshake.

He sits down nervously without as much as a glance in my direction. During the interview, he stammers when he answers my questions. Many “ums”, “ahs” and “uhs” appear in each of his sentences. He slouches low in his chair as if he was trying to disappear.

He fidgets during the entire process. Sometimes he taps his foot against the floor. Other times he wrings his hands together or plays with the pen on the table.

I also note that he touches his nose many times while he is speaking. At least 4 times during the interview, he partially covers his mouth while he is answering one of my questions.

At the end of the interview, I thank him for his time. He looks like he’s ready to bolt out of the chair and make a run for the hills! He mumbles a barely audible thank you and leaves.

My heart sinks. I realize it’s going to be a really long day…

After this disappointing interview, I feel less encouraged about meeting my second candidate.

A few minutes later, I meet a man who appears similar in age as my first candidate.

This individual walks in with his shoulders back, his hands at his sides and a big smile. He immediately walks over and offers me a firm handshake. He makes a point of looking me directly in the eye when he introduces himself.

During the interview, he answers all of my questions thoughtfully and confidently. His feet remain on the floor and he only uses his hands when he’s trying to emphasize a point. His back remains straight in the leather chair.

He allows himself a few moments to collect his thoughts before answering the more difficult questions. Once he is finished answering them all, he even asks me some very intelligent questions. I start to feel like maybe he should be the one interviewing me!

At the end of the process, I also thank him for his time. He walks directly over to me, offers me another firm handshake. He then looks me right in the eye and warmly thanks me for my time. Just before he leaves, he reminds me that he is very interested in the position and hopes to hear from me soon.

As he walks out, I decide not to rip all of my hair out after all.

After reading the two scenarios, let me ask you something.

Which person would you hire?

I think the answer is obvious.

If you picked the first guy, you need more help than I can possibly provide!

Now, I want you to go back and review the body language of each candidate. Make note of the behavior of each person. Then come back and see how many things you noticed!

Candidate A

1. Hunched over shoulders

2. Hands stuffed in pockets

3. Looks down at the floor

4. Waits for me to shake hands

5. Offers a weak, sweaty handshake

6. No direct eye contact

7. Stammers during questions

8. Uses many “ahs” and “ums” when answering

9. Slouches in chair

10. Taps foot against floor

11. Plays with pen

12. Wrings hands together

13. Touches his nose often when speaking

14. Covers his mouth when speaking

15. Mumbles his thank you at the end

16. Doesn’t shake hands & no eye contact when leaving

The above candidate did at least 16 things wrong!

Did you manage to spot them all?

The movements he made with his face, hands, eyes, back and feet do not make him appear confident. In fact, all of his non-verbal gestures reveal that he is very apprehensive and nervous.

This is exactly the kind of person that an employer does NOT want to hire.

Now, let’s review the body language of the second person.

Candidate B

1. Good posture – back is straight

2. Hands at his side

3. Maintains direct eye contact

4. Offers firm handshake

5. Smiles

6. Answers questions confidently

7. Pauses before answering questions

8. Keeps feet firmly planted

9. Only uses hands for emphasis

10. Back remains straight in chair

11. Offers a firm handshake at the end

12. Maintains direct eye contact

13. Thanks interviewer for her time

This person did everything right! All of his actions reveal that he is very confident.

This is exactly the kind of employee that an interview would love to hire.

Think of these two scenarios the next time you are applying for a job. Remember the importance of confident body language for interviews. Each part of your body from your head to your toes will continue to speak even when you don’t!

Keep your back straight, offer a firm handshake, and don’t fidget with your hands or feet. Take your time to answer all questions thoughtfully and confidently. Most importantly, remember to look the interviewer directly in the eye whenever you’re speaking.

As they say, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.

So make your first one really count!

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