Mirroring Can Help You Connect to Others

Your body language speaks volumes when communicating with co-workers, clients and especially, potential employers during a job interview. An effective way to keep your gestures and mannerisms positive is to mirror the behavior of the recipient or hiring manager. Learn the benefits of adjusting your tone, posture and gestures to show your flexibility and eagerness when seeking a new position.

Unconscious Movements

Many professionals are unaware that they mirror body language on a regular basis. It happens naturally, according to research. You might unconsciously match the tone of the person you are speaking to or use the same expressions to build a rapport. Negotiators, sales professionals and executives often mirror behavior to gain trust. In fact, retail sales professionals who mimicked the verbal and nonverbal behavior of customers created a positive impression of the store and sold more products, according to a 2011 study by French researchers, as reported in the Wall Street Journal. As a result, these unconscious gestures help to create more of a connection between you and the people with whom you communicate, which is a helpful strategy during an interview.

Pay close attention to how the interviewer sits, communicates with his hands and speaks. Without overtly mimicking the behavior, adjust your body language to match. Show that you are flexible and willing to adapt to the company's standards through more than just your qualifications by consciously or unconsciously building a connection through mirroring.

Dynamic Coupling

Sharing behaviors with co-workers, family members or friends is common. This practice also occurs naturally during job interviews in many instances and shows hiring managers that the candidate is observant and in sync with their behavior and level of formality. Scientific research asserts that mimicking behavior can also create a dynamic coupling effect between individuals. A 2016 study by Princeton University professors revealed that when individuals mirror behavior and body language, the connection is similar to a wireless bonding of brains. The brain automatically begins to receive signals and react with verbal and nonverbal cues that are similar.

The connection created between a hiring manager and job candidate when behavior and body language is mirrored can help to foster a closer relationship. A hiring manager who observes an applicant who speaks in the same tone, uses the same hand gestures or adjusts posture to match the individuals in a group meeting or interview is more likely to feel connected to the candidate. This connection may serve you well as a job seeker, especially when it pushes you toward the top of the candidate list for the open position.

Mirroring body language shows potential employers that you are a keen observer and flexible. These types of gestures can also help to build a connection with hiring managers that can ultimately lead to a job offer.

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