BODY LANGUAGE( INTERVIEW)

BODY LANGUAGE (INTERVIEW)

Interview makes us all anxious, particularly if one is fresher! What do you think is more important in an interview: what you say about or body language? The answer is BODY LANGUAGE! It will help your candidacy.

Controlling the message isn't just about knowledge and words. It can also be about controlling your body and imparting the right body language.

In a job interview, it’s likely that your body language will have more of a positive impact on your success. Many job seekers practice what they are going to say in an interview, but few think about body language.

There’s an old adage that communication is 7% verbal and 93% nonverbal, messages and/or meaning are communicated in the following ways:
 - 55% by body language
 - 38% by your intonation, pauses and sighs.
 - 7% by what you actually say

Body Posture:

A good posture is your best bet to show the interviewer that you are prepared, confident and a professional.

Leaning back suggests boredom or lack of interest.

Don’t crowd the interviewer by leaning in too closely or over his or her desk. Leaning in slightly will show that you are listening closely and interested in what they have to say.

Sitting or standing, a straight back posture is the best looking, most professional pose.
During the interview sit up straight, relax your shoulders, and fold your hands together in your lap. Some people don't know what to do with their hands, so it is best to keep them folded. Don't fold your arms across your chest. This can indicate a defensive attitude.

Body Language Postures.

The posture with arms and legs crossed (POSTURE B) is called a CLOSED posture. It usually signifies a defensive or negative attitude, but beware of misinterpretation - the person may just be cold. The other posture with arms and legs uncrossed (POSTURE A) is called an OPEN posture and usually suggests a more relaxed, open attitude.

Physical Gestures:

Siting/standing upright during an interview signals – “I am confident”, without craning your neck. Do not slouch (sit in lazy).

Look attentive, keen and interested.

Any fast, pointing, repeated or aggressive hand gestures should be kept to a minimum.

Listen to the queries attentively, Keep up good eye contact. But don’t eyeball them all the time.

Speak clearly but not too fast, maintaining a pitch that is comfortably audible to the person(s) around. Don't speak in a monotone voice- this show a lack of enthusiasm

Do not get overexcited even while describing your achievements and strengths.

Don't fidget (move or behave nervously) or became overly rigid. It can be very distracting to the interviewer.

Make sure to show enthusiasm in the interview: smile, nod your head, interjecting appropriately with ‘Yes Sir/Madam’, absolutely, definitely etc.

Avoid “chopping gestures" chop gestures can psychologically cut up the space between you and your interview in an aggressive way.

As You Enter:

Depending upon whether you are being interviewed by one person or a panel of interviewers, greet politely, smilingly ‘Good Morning’/Afternoon or Evening depending upon time of the day.

If there are more than one person then address them as ‘Sirs/Madams’ and try to encompass them all in your greeting. If there is only one lady in the panel, it is polite to greet her separately.

Do not sit down unless you are asked to.

Facing the Interviewers:

As you sit across the interviewer (s), look confident, energetic and relaxed. In most cases the interviewers themselves will try to put you at ease. Believe that they will let you to prove your worth and mean no harm to you.

"Body language in a job interview can, unbelievably, make the difference between getting a job or not. So before going on your next interview, make sure to practice your body language.”