Your Body Language Could be Sabotaging Your Interview

When preparing for a job interview, you likely spend a lot of time answering practice questions and reviewing your resume. You should always do these things, but don't forget about the importance of body language. Your body language helps interviewers form their first impressions of you, making it a key component of interview success. Here are several ways your body language might be hurting you when you meet with hiring managers.

If you sit with your arms crossed or maintain a stiff position, the interviewer might have doubts about your honesty or your ability to get along with others. Correct this potentially problematic body language by sitting up straight, relaxing your shoulders and keeping your arms and legs uncrossed. Research shows that people who use open body language are perceived in a more positive light than those who do not seem as receptive. Maintaining open body language can also help you come across as a competent leader.

Leaning away from the interviewer can sabotage your interview by making it look like you are not interested in the job. Because humans tend to lean away from people they don't trust, this type of body language can also indicate that you don't trust the interviewer. Start your job interview on the right foot by leaning toward the interviewer and keeping your shoulders relaxed. Don't lean too far forward, or you run the risk of intimidating the interviewer or invading her personal space.

Another body language mistake interviewees make is tapping their fingers or shaking their legs. It's natural to be nervous during an interview, but fidgeting is unprofessional and makes interviewers wonder if you have what it takes to succeed in a high-pressure environment. If you know you have a habit of fidgeting when you are nervous, engage in several practice interviews before your real interview. When practicing, focus on improving your body language and eliminating any distracting behaviors.

Nodding your head and mirroring the interviewer's movements are two ways to show off your communication skills through your body language. Nodding three times in a row prompts people to talk longer, which can help you gather a lot of information during your interview. Mirroring is a technique in which you mimic the interviewer's facial expressions and movements. You don't want to go overboard and make the interviewer think you are mocking her, but mirroring some of her expressions can help you build a strong relationship during the interview.

You have just a few seconds to make an impression during an interview, and using your body language effectively helps you make a good impression instead of a bad one. The right posture and gestures can also help you connect with your interviewer and improves your chance of getting a job.

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