Body Language: How to Ace a Job Interview Without Words

Amen to.that

@Marte if the interviewer is a troll do you really want to consider pursuing the position? If the interviewer is also the hiring manager and was this way during an interview, walk away - quickly. Life is short and there are so many other jobs out there. Why take a position that you know you are just going to quit?

what if the person who is interviewing you is a troll?

@Erica panel interviews can be tough for sure. My very first interview was a panel interview and I am amazed, even today, that I got the job! I didn't do any of the things that you are supposed to do on an interview from the way I was dressed to the way I interacted. Maybe I was just the best of the worst! In a panel interview, I have found that, when asked a question - look at the person asking as you start to answer and then make eye contact with each person as you are answering - always ending up with eye contact to the person who asked the question. Another thing that I have found that can sometimes set you apart is if you use their names when answering. It makes things a bit more intimate than just answering without using any names. @Kristen we always try to hammer it home that your appearance is SO important. You only get ONE chance to make a good first impression. Coming into an interview in your Sunday jeans is not acceptable - even if the person who is interviewing you is wearing them. Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have is something that I have always lived by. But, I, too, have seen candidates come in for an interview wearing jeans with holes in them; sneakers that had certainly seen better days; dirty hair; dirt under fingernails; breath that you can smell a mile away and the list goes on. I have even turned candidates away before they can even speak. So yes appearance can make all of the difference.

In my own interviewing experience, I have noticed how important appearance and body language are. When I interviewed for my current position, I dressed in a pant suit with a nice shirt underneath and a pair of conservative black heels. Throughout the interview I was seated and did many of the things mentioned above and I received a job offer and here I am! After I was hired in a short meeting with my supervisor I asked what set me apart in the interview from the other candidates. There were 10 of us that interviewed, but right away 4 of them were taken out of the bunch. One of them arrived in her casual Saturday sweatpants and sweatshirt, 2 others arrived in jeans, and 1 other was leaned back in his chair the whole time like he was a teenager in school. They were all fully qualified for the position, but they did not present themselves well on the day of the interview. The final decision was made based on education, experience, and the interview itself, but had these 4 presented themselves better they might be sitting where I am today!

I've gone on two interviews in the past month that involved a panel of three people. How do I use body language without looking like a overly-dramatic performer trying to capture the attention of everyone in the room? For example, should I make eye contact with each person as they ask questions, or should I make occasional eye contact with everyone on the panel as I answer their questions?

When I experience anxiety before an interview, I try to re-interpret it as excitement towards the prospect of getting a great job at the company. Both anxiety and positive excitement cause some of the same symptoms, and focusing on the excitement makes it easier to smile and be enthusiastic during the interview.

Thanks for the comments. @Mike - deep breathing prior to the interview will help calm those nerves. During the interview, just try some nice easy breathing and just consider that you are talking to a friend. That always helps me to get through if I can take a more conversational tone with the interviewer. It allows me to relax and therefore I can respond more readily to the questions and have more focus on what I am saying instead of sitting up straight with my hands clasped in my lap and answering like a robot. I have seen that and it is quite comical. Of course you can't laugh while you are interviewing the person but it is a great stress reliever afterwards. Yes, the interview can be just as nerve racking on the interviewer as it can on the interviewee. So try to relax a little bit. Maintain your dignity at all times, of course, but don't look on this as if you are going to the gas chamber if you don't answer a question. The interview is just a way for the hiring manager to assess your personality and your skills to see if you might be a good fit on his team.

I agree that body language is so important but so easy to overlook. Simple things like posture and eye contact are small things that can make a big difference. I have heard of mimicking before, but I heard of it as more of a subconscious thing that we do when we are comfortable around someone. It's interesting to think of it as something we can work on.

This article is basically from a man's point of view and I have to disagree with some of the points because women carry themselves differently from men. For example, taking up the whole chair: at least for me, that's an unflattering position. I sit up straight, but I keep my knees together and my hands on my legs unless I am gesticulating, which I try to minimize. The most important things I do are smile and nod, frame questions and comments in positive tones and maintain a professional sense of grace about myself.

What are some ways that you can naturally calm yourself down during the interview process to ensure your body language doesn't get out of control? When I get nervous I tend to fidget and jump, and that's exactly the wrong kind of message that you want to send during an interview. Also, what are some simple exercises you can do before the interview to work on your body language?

It's so interesting that mimicking the body language of the job interviewer is a suggested strategy in this article. I've heard about this mimicking phenomenon before, but only in the context of romantic relationships. When people are flirting or in love, they will unconsciously mimic the body movements and gestures of the person they like. It's fascinating that this translates to business relationships as well.

Thanks for the reminder @Shannon. @Duncan an introvert is going to have to dig deep. An interview is a necessary evil for most jobs so, if they want to work, they are just going to have to try harder. It's like an extrovert in an interview. They have to temper themselves from taking over the entire interview. So the pendulum swings both ways.

Some people, especially the introverts, find it quite an uphill task to depict vibrance during the interview session to impress the hiring manager. They are naturally reserved and withdrawn to themselves. How can these people manage to depict an exuberant appearance without feeling that they are falsely stage managing a feat that is not really their character?

Personal hygiene and grooming speak volumes when interviewing. I would recommend not wearing any perfume or cologne. Not only can it overpower the senses, but it can also spark allergies or sensitivity within the interviewer. You can still make a good impression by ensuring you are clean without covering up with powerful perfumes or body sprays.

I have to agree with William. Mimicking can be a tricky tactic, and you may come off as strange, awkward, or even worse, creepy. Subtly is key. Follow the other person's actions, but not to the point that they want to end the interview quickly just to get away from you!

I would be careful about mimicking someone's behavior too much. That may get creepy after a while, especially if another interviewer watches you shifting positions just as much as the person speaking. Learn to be subtle and no so obvious when you mirror someone's movements. Wait a few seconds so you gauge the person's intent and then gently move to copy someone.

@Lydia thanks for the comment. I truly believe that we should stay on the conservative side when it comes to dressing for the interview. Conservative and toned down. Nothing flashy as it can be too distracting for the hiring manager. Keep the bling to a minimum, too and, for women, keep to your natural beauty instead of looking like you are walking the runway.

I agree that it's important to present yourself with confidence. This makes an instant positive impression on interviewers. I wonder however where the line is with engaging the senses. In the past, experts advised not to be too striking with outfits and accessories during interviews. Is this view changing? Or should we still err on the side of conservative when it comes to dressing for interviews?