Body language errors to avoid in the interview

At Key Corporate Services, we send many candidates on interviews.  And, we are the first to acknowledge that interviewing is an unnatural experience. The stress of talking to someone about you can be almost overwhelming. You want to make a good impression. Everything you say is geared to imparting a favorable impression to the hiring manager. But, at the risk of adding another dimension to the task, you need to be aware of what is going on subliminally during the interview.

From the time of the initial handshake, to the eye contact, to the amount of smiling you do, your body language is communicating things about you to the interviewer as clearly as the spoken word.

“When someone first meets you, an evaluation is quietly and unconsciously taking place,” according body language expert Tonya Reiman.

There is an impression made based primarily on your nonverbal communication. Be aware of gestures and nonverbal cues you give during an interview to avoid these common mistakes that can cost you the job:

Bad Posture

Don’t slouch in the chair in the reception area. Exude confidence by sitting or standing tall with your shoulders back.

Bad Handshake

Don’t grip the interviewer’s hand too tightly. Instead, the handshake should be more natural: thumbs in the upward position and two to three pumps up and down.

Sweaty palms

If you suffer from this, try going to the bathroom right before the interview and running cold water over your palms. This will prevent the sweaty palms from occurring for the next 10 minutes or so.

Lack of eye contact

Keep direct eye contact with the interviewer at all times. Shifting eye contact communicates uncertainty or deceptiveness.

Fidgeting

Don’t play with your hair. Don’t bite your nails. Don’t touch your face. These are all distractions to the interviewer.

Appearing distracted or uninterested

Be careful not to shift in your chair. Crossing and uncrossing your legs may make you appear bored. Show interest by leaning forward, tilting your head, and nodding on occasion.

Failing to smile.

Smile to appear confidence, openness, warmth, and energy. You don’t want to appear aloof or grim.

Interviewing involves presenting yourself in the best light. So, practice not only those verbal skills but also those nonverbal mannerisms that tell so much about you.